Genius at Play
These three exuberant works highlight the breadth and genius of Jerome Robbins, whose choreography is legendary on the ballet stage, big screen, and Broadway. This year marks the centennial of both Robbins’ birth and that of his long-time collaborator, Leonard Bernstein. Fancy Free—Robbins’ first choreographic work at the tender age […]
These three exuberant works highlight the breadth and genius of Jerome Robbins, whose choreography is legendary on the ballet stage, big screen, and Broadway. This year marks the centennial of both Robbins’ birth and that of his long-time collaborator, Leonard Bernstein.
Fancy Free—Robbins’ first choreographic work at the tender age of 25— sets the tone for what would become his signature theatrical style. His co-collaborator was the then-unknown composer Leonard Bernstein and this hit ballet catapulted both young men to stardom. It was later adapted into the Tony-Award winning musical and Academy-Award winning film On the Town. The program opens with the overture from Bernstein’s comic operetta Candide.
The witty Interplay offers a playful, colorful palette—using Morton Gould’s jazzy score to showcase connections between music, ballet, and contemporary dance.
Robbins’ late-career work, Glass Pieces, captures the dynamic pulse of metropolitan life, inspired by Philip Glass’ streamlined and hypnotic compositions. Robbins deploys a massive ensemble of dancers in this exhilarating, highly detailed, and refreshingly abstract piece.
