Sokolow Theatre/Dance Ensemble presents JOY: Dances for Midwinter at Stone Circle Theatre, 59-14 70th Avenue, Ridgewood, New York.

To bring light to the dark of midwinter, the Sokolow Theatre/Dance Ensemble is preparing a program of soaring dances that manifest joy in deep and nuanced ways. A program of dances by Anna Sokolow, Claudia Gitelman, and Charles Weidman—and a premiere by two company members. Dances from across a 90-year span, and choreography from three traditions of modern dance, speak clearly to us across generations. Bringing these dazzling pieces together on the stage reaffirms our steadfast commitment to the importance of meaningful art.

Anna Sokolow is well known for making dances that explore the dark side of human nature. But, in a departure for the Sokolow Theatre/Dance Ensemble, they will present “JOY: Dances for Midwinter” in mid-December. “JOY” will present a side of Anna Sokolow rarely seen, the works in her repertory that explore love and express profound joy.

Her unflinching eye on the human condition has produced harrowing works such as “Dreams“ “Steps of Silence“ and her masterpiece, “Rooms” and led one critic to describe her as “The Solzhenitsyn of modern dance.”

“The dance is my particular way of seeing life through art,” she once told a lecture audience at Lincoln Center.

But the evening’s program at the Stone Circle Theater in Ridgewood promises to be a balm for the heart.

“The Sokolow Theatre/Dance Ensemble has brought together dances from across the generations from three traditions of modern dance, that manifest joy in deep and nuanced ways,” said Artistic Director Samantha Géracht.

Anna Sokolow’s "Ballade," perhaps her most lyrical dance, explores the restlessness and inconclusiveness of young love, performed to the passionate music of Scriabin.

Sokolow’s "Preludes," reconstructed by Tonia Shimin, for whom it was created, is a rich and expressive homage to the music of Sergei Rachmaninoff.

For “JOY,” the company has expanded its repertory to include works from other modern dance lineages, and invited guest directors expert in those traditions to give the dancers an authentic understanding of the movement and its intent.

Claudia Gitelman’s "Schubert And The Birds," set to a Schubert Impromptu and reconstructed by guest director Pamela Levy, is a poignant and dynamic work that showcases both Gitelman’s Hanya Holm roots and her own brand of abstract storytelling.

For Charles Weidman’s rarely seen, glorious tour de force to the music of J.S. Bach, "Christmas Oratorio," reconstructed by guest director Gail Corbin, the company has expanded its ranks to perform a major excerpt.

The program will also present the work of a new generation of choreographers, in a premiere choreographed and performed by Sokolow dancers Margaret Mighty Oak Brackey and Krista Jansen. Inspired by memories of snow and the loss of its magic in a changing climate, “Forecast” unites delight, mourning, and reminiscence.

SOKOLOW THEATRE/DANCE ENSEMBLE is the living legacy company dedicated to presenting Anna Sokolow’s vast body of emotionally riveting work. Over a 70 year career, Ms. Sokolow continuously broke the boundaries of modern dance, focusing on the human experience and drawing upon whatever genre best served her artistic purpose. Her masterpieces remain relevant to our times and touch the hearts of all people as we struggle with the universal issues of living, regardless of differences in place and culture. The company’s projects include reconstruction, reimagination, deconstruction, historical performance, teaching, lectures, archiving, and partnering with contemporary choreographers—all modes through which we step inside Sokolow’s masterworks and draw from this perspective to better frame our future. ST/DE was founded by Sokolow protege Jim May and is currently under the artistic direction of Samantha Geracht. For more information, visit sokolowtheatredance.org.

When: Thursday, December 12 and Friday, December 13, 2024 at 7pm

Where: Stone Circle Theatre, 59-14 70th Avenue, Ridgewood, New York

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online at https://sokolowtheatredance.org/12-12-13-joy-dances-for-midwinter/.