Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Announces Fall City Center Season

By FELICIA R. LEE

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has announced its 2012 New York City Center season with the world premiere of “Another Night,” by the choreographer Kyle Abraham as well as the premiere of “Strange Humors,” a duet from Robert Battle, the company's artistic director. For the first time in the company's history, a work by the Czech choreographer Jiri Kylian, “Petite Mort,” is also on the bill. The five-week run will also feature Garth Fagan's “From Before,” the first staging of his work outside his own company, Garth Fagan Dance and a new production of Ronald K. Brown's “Grace.”

The City Center season,which runs from Nov. 28-Dec. 30, is the company's 41st consecutive year there. Mo'Nique, the actress and comedienne, will serve as honorary chair and the honored guest for the opening night gala benefit on Nov. 28, which is a fundraiser to support the company's educational and training programs for yo ung people. Nineteen premieres, repertory favorites and classic Ailey works will be performed for the season.

Mr. Abraham's “Another Night,” which melds elements of dance styles from ballet to hip-hop, features music by Dizzy Gillespie and is commissioned in part by the Hopkins Center for the Arts at Dartmouth in celebration of the center's 50th anniversary. “From Before,” an ensemble piece created by Mr. Fagan, the Tony-award winning choreographer of “The Lion King,” has a score by Grammy winner Ralph McDonald and blends Caribbean influences and African dance rhythms.

A new production will be staged of “Ailey Classics,” which highlights founder Alvin Ailey's 30-year career, with his signature work “Revelations” performed in its entirety. Tickets starting at $25 go on sale Sept. 4 at the City Center Box Office or online at www.alvinailey.org or www.nycitycenter.org.