Paul Taylor Dance Company makes a triumphant return to Connecticut College with an onStage performance April 3
NEW LONDON, Conn. - On the Palmer Auditorium stage in 1962, Paul Taylor debuted the work that would make him famous. Now, 47 years later, the prolific and inventive choreographer returns with his world-renowned company to once again show New London crowds what Paul Taylor dance is all about.
On April 3, the troupe the Detroit News says "dazzles the eye and lightens the heart," will take to the Palmer stage at 8 p.m. as part of the college's onStage series. The performance will include "Mercuric Tidings," "Esplanade" and "Scudorama," a piece commissioned by Connecticut College.
"Scudorama" premiered in Palmer Auditorium in 1964, two years after Taylor premiered "Aureole," his break-out choreography, on the same stage. Previously, Taylor studied at the American Dance Festival, which was located at the college from 1948 until 1977.
"Connecticut College and Paul Taylor Dance Company have a rich and intimate history that spans nearly five decades," Rob Richter, director of arts programming at the college, said. "We are excited to have the company return to our stage to add another chapter to our relationship."
The Paul Taylor Dance Company, established in 1954, has long been one of the world's most highly respected dance troupes. Taylor's works, which are known for their beauty, physicality and depth, have been enjoyed by audiences all over the world and in all 50 states. Time Magazine calls Taylor the "reigning master of dance," and Vanity Fair says, "Fifty years into his genius, more than 100 dances to his name, Paul Taylor is the greatest choreographer in the world."
Tickets are $28, $24 and $20 for adults; $25, $21.50 and $18 for seniors and $14, $12 and $10 for students. For more information or to purchase onStage at Connecticut College tickets, call (860) 439-ARTS, visit http://onstage.conncoll.edu or visit the Connecticut College Ticket Office.
To complement the performance, the college will host an exhibition, "Paul Taylor and the History of Dance at Connecticut College," in the Shain Library from March 23 to April 27. Suzanne Carboneau, who is working on an authorized biography of Taylor, and Norton Owen, who has created several Paul Taylor exhibitions, will give an illustrated lecture, "Paul Taylor and Jacob's Pillow Onscreen," April 1 at 4 p.m. in the Charles Chu Asian Art Reading Room, Shain Library.
The presentation of the Paul Taylor Dance Company is funded in part by the Expeditions program of the New England Foundation for the Arts, made possible with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts Regional Touring Program and the American Masterpieces initiative, with additional support from the six New England state arts agencies. "Scudorama" is made possible by the National Endowment for the Arts' American Masterpieces: Dance initiative, administered by the New England Foundation for the Arts.
OnStage at Connecticut College is made possible in part by the generous support of the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism, Pfizer Inc., The Day Publishing Company, New England Foundation for the Arts, Bodenwein Public Benevolent Foundation and Frank Loomis Palmer Fund and by support from individual donors.
About Connecticut College
Situated on the coast of southern New England, Connecticut College is a highly selective private liberal arts college with 1900 students from all across the country and throughout the world. On the college's 750-acre arboretum campus overlooking Long Island Sound, students and faculty create a vibrant social, cultural and intellectual community enriched by diverse perspectives. The college, founded in 1911, is known for its unique combination of interdisciplinary studies, international programs, funded internships, student-faculty research and service learning.
For more information, visit www.conncoll.edu.
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March 17, 2009
