Paul Taylor Dance Company
Cascade, 3 Eps, Tablet, & Vespers
“One of the most exciting, innovative, and delightful dance companies in the entire world.” — The New York Times.
The legendary Paul Taylor Dance Company returns to PS21 for the fourth year in a row—this time for three nights.
This year they arrive with four selections from their repertory: Cascade (1999), a kaleidoscope of bright, golden choreography and darker, cooler undercurrents, echoed by Johann Sebastian Bach’s keyboard concerti; 3 Epitaphs (1956), “a parade of faceless gray-leotarded figures to early New Orleans jazz…one of the funniest dances anywhere” — Newsday; Tablet (1960), an alien duet with set and costumes designed by Columbia County’s own Ellsworth Kelly; and Vespers (1986), choreographed by Ulysses Dove, a ferocious work showcasing the athleticism and grace six female dancers set to a percussive score by Mikel Rouse.
Photo credit: Vespers by Ulysses Dove (L-R) Maria Ambrose, Lisa Borres, Jessica Ferretti. Photography by Whitney Browne
The genesis of the Paul Taylor Dance Company occurred on May 30, 1954 in Manhattan, when dancemaker Paul Taylor first presented his choreography with five other dancers on the Lower East Side. That performance marked the beginning of 64 years of unrivaled creativity, and in the decades that followed, Mr. Taylor became a cultural icon and one of American history’s most celebrated artists and was part of the pantheon that created American modern dance. Leading the Company that bears his name until his death in 2018, Mr. Taylor molded it into one of the preeminent performing ensembles in the world. Under the artistic direction of Taylor alumnus Michael Novak, the Company continues to bring “America’s most communicative and wildly theatrical modern dance” to audiences and students around the world, with a yearly residency at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.
The Company currently resides in the Lower East Side of Manhattan but sustains a global presence through its robust touring programs. Since its first European tour in 1960, the… …Company has performed in more than 600 cities in 66 countries, representing the United States at arts festivals in more than 40 countries and touring extensively under the aegis of the U.S. Department of State. Dedicated to sharing modern dance with the broadest possible audience, the Company tours annually, both domestically and internationally, with performances and a variety of educational programs and engagement offerings. Recent tours have brought the Company to Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Ecuador, Germany, Italy, Oman, Peru, Switzerland, Taiwan, and Turkey, as well as scores of cities within the United States.
The hallmark of the Company is its ever-expanding repertory. More than 170 dances exist within the Foundation’s canon, 147 of which were choreographed by Mr. Taylor. The body of Mr. Taylor’ work is titled the Taylor Collection, and is home to dances that cover a breathtaking range of topics, themes, and moods. These dances speak to the natural world and man’s place within it; display love and sexuality in all gender combinations; contemplate iconic moments in American history; and reveal the spectrum of life’s beauties, complexities, and society’s thorniest issues. While some of these dances are termed “dark” and others “light,” the majority are dualistic, mixing elements of both extremes.
In addition to the Collection, the Company commissions dance works from established and emerging choreographers. In 2022, Lauren Lovette was appointed the Company’s first Resident Choreographer, ushering in a new era and demonstrating the Company’s deepened commitment to support dance creation in the 21st century. For more information please visit www.paultaylordance.org.
PS21’s first ever season-long food offering, Asado21 is a new extension of Colonia Verde’s famed Sunday Asado series, inviting guests to gather around the fire to experience food, flavor, and community—right before each show at PS21.
Driven by Chef Felipe Donnelly, whose cooking draws inspiration from Latin America and the power of simple, live-fire ingredients, each asado celebrates seasonal creativity and soulful technique. With wines curated by Tamy Rofe, our natural wine selections feature thoughtful, expressive producers from around the world, always poured with intention and accompanied by a story.
Asado21 kicks off Sunday, July 6th, and will be available on the beautiful PS21 lawn & patio before every performance of the season from that point on.
Choose from a $65 prix-fixe menu, including small plates of all of the below and wine, or order from a selection of the below dishes a la carte. If you’re going prix-fixe, we encourage you to pre-order online— which you can do with one click when purchasing tickets to this performance.
