Auditorium Theatre

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Nederlands Dans Theater I Inspires with Innovative Modern Dance at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University June 16 and 17
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Mixed program includes pieces by resident choreographers
Jirí Kylián, Paul Lightfoot and Sol León, plus the talents of Crystal Pite

CHICAGO — The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University (ATRU) and the Sara Lee Foundation proudly present the world-renowned Nederlands Dans Theater I (NDT), which brings ATRU’s 2008 – 2009 International Dance Series to a thrilling conclusion with performances
June 16 and 17. Tickets are now on sale.

Nederlands Dans Theater has been one of the leading dance companies worldwide since it was founded in 1959. “NDT must be Europe's classiest and most accomplished modern dance company; their trademark being slick, gorgeously lit, gorgeously danced movement with a deep balletic
grace and sharp modern angles,” raves The Daily Telegraph (London). The company last performed in Chicago more than 35 years ago. NDT is the troupe where Hubbard Street Dance Artistic Director Jim Vincent danced from 1978 - 1990, and he will return as NDT’s new artistic director this fall.

The NDT company of 30 dancers utilize their background in classical training to present innovative modern dance that is critically acclaimed throughout the world. For their two-night only Chicago engagement, the company will perform “Shoot the Moon,” choreographed by the team of Paul Lightfoot and Sol León. The piece provides a glimpse into various couples’ love lives. Rotating walls with striking black and white wallpaper create three separate rooms, each with its own story. Entire worlds are brought to life through intriguing theatrical effects, live video projection and music by Philip Glass.

Another piece to be performed in Chicago is “Wings of Wax,” choreographed by Jirí Kylián
(known to Chicago audiences as choreographer of Hubbard’s “Sechs Tanze”) with music by John Cage, Philip Glass, Johann Sebastian Bach and Heinrich von Biber. The piece opens with the dramatic image of a bare tree hanging crown downward with its roots in the air above the stage. Surrounding it, a low-slung spotlight traces a huge circle. Dancers emerge out of the black background, only to be absorbed back into it again. Never predictable and never forced, the piece showcases how Kylián’s movements are so complicated that the eye can hardly follow all that is happening on stage.

Also on the program is “The Second Person,” choreographed by Crystal Pite, one of the hottest up-and-coming talents in modern dance. 24 dancers dressed in smart men’s suits and stern glasses bring to life a puppet that lies on the stage. Against the backdrop of a cloudy sky, dancers “escape” from the core group in pairs or on their own. The piece concludes when the dancers and puppet return for a breathtaking and surprising final scene.

Performance Schedule

Tuesday, June 16 at 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, June 17 at 7:30 p.m.

* Note: The performance schedule for NDT has changed since ATRU subscriptions went on sale in 2008. The performances originally scheduled for June 19, 20 and 21 have been cancelled and a June 16 performance has been added. ATRU subscribers who purchased tickets to a cancelled date may exchange those tickets for tickets to the June 16 or 17 performance at the point of purchase. Please call (312) 922-2110 with questions.

TICKET INFORMATION

Nederlands Dans Theater I tickets are now on sale. Single ticket prices are $30 / $45 / $59 / $69 / $89. For tickets, visit the Auditorium Theatre box office at 50 E. Congress Parkway; call Ticketmaster at (800) 982-ARTS; or log on to ticketmaster.com. For general information, please visit auditoriumtheatre.org.

Discounted tickets are currently available for groups of 10 or more. For more information on group sales, call Beth Bullock at (312) 431-2357 or e-mail bbullock@auditoriumtheatre.org.

Teachers may e-mail education@auditoriumtheatre.org for information on educator discounts.

NEDERLANDS DANS THEATER I RECEPTION AT RUSSIAN POINTE

An elegant pre-show reception will be held at Russian Pointe (333 N. Michigan Ave.), a theater-inspired boutique featuring burgundy velvet curtains and French crystal chandeliers. This special event includes hors d'oeuvres, wine and appearances by NDT company artists, as well as trolley transportation to the theater. The Russian Pointe Reception takes place Wednesday, June 17 from 5 – 7 p.m. Admission is $50, and reservations are required by calling (312) 922-2110 x 300 [note: this phone number is for reception reservations only. Please do not call this phone number to purchase tickets to the NDT performances. To purchase performance tickets call Ticketmaster at (800) 982-2787].

ABOUT THE AUDITORIUM THEATRE OF ROOSEVELT UNIVERSITY

The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, located at 50 E. Congress Parkway, is an independent, not-for-profit organization committed to presenting the finest in international, cultural and community programming to Chicago, and to the continued restoration and preservation of the National Historic Landmark Auditorium Theatre. For more information about programming, volunteer and donor opportunities or theater tours, call (312) 922-2110 [to purchase NDT performance tickets please do not call (312) 922-2110; instead, please call Ticketmaster at (800) 982-2787].

Visit auditoriumtheatre.org, now featuring Chicago’s Landmark Stage, a comprehensive online history of the Auditorium from 1889 through today, made possible by the generous support of the American Express Performing Arts Fund.

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