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a group of dancer sit on the ground in a circle with a man in the middle standing and lifting a woman up

Repertory

The River

COMPANIES

CHOREOGRAPHER

COMPANY PREMIERE

1981

WORLD PREMIERE

American Ballet Theater, Lincoln Center, 1970

RESTAGING

Matthew Rushing, Ronni Favors & Clifton Brown

MUSIC

Original Score by Duke Ellington ("The River"); Original Music Coordination by Martha Johnson

COSTUMES

A. Christina Giannini

LIGHTING

Chenault Spence

MUSICAL STYLE

Jazz

RUN TIME

32 Minutes

"...of birth...of the wellspring of life...of reaffirmation...of the heavenly anticipation of rebirth..." 
— Duke Ellington

By turns muscular and lyrical, The River is a sweeping ensemble work that suggests tumbling rapids and meandering streams on a journey to the sea. Alvin Ailey’s allegory of birth, life, and rebirth abounds with water references, from the spinning “Vortex” solo to the romantic “Lake” duet, the powerful “Falls” quartet, and the joyful “Giggling Rapids.” The choreography demonstrates Mr. Ailey’s admiration for classical ballet but retains the modern and jazz influences found in all his work. The grandeur of the dancing is matched by the music, which was Duke Ellington’s first symphonic score written for dance. Mr. Ailey and Mr. Ellington collaborated closely on the piece.  

The 2021 production featured costumes newly designed for the first time since the 1970s. 

A color photo of Michael Jackson Jr. and Corrin Rachelle Mitchell performing in Alvin Ailey's The River, captured by Paul Kolnik. Jackson Jr. is holding Mitchell in a graceful pose, showcasing their strength and elegance. They are dressed in soft, flowing costumes, with Mitchell's light pink dress contrasting with Jackson Jr.'s light top and tights. The background is a dark, deep blue, highlighting the dancers.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's Michael Jackson, Jr. and Corrin Rachelle Mitchell in Alvin Ailey's The River Photo by Paul Kolnik

A man, shirtless and wearing light-colored tights, supports a woman wearing a pastel-colored leotard and skirt, as she extends one leg gracefully in an arabesque position, set against a dark background.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's Jermaine Terry and Sarah Daley-Perdomo  in Alvin Ailey's The River Photo by Paul Kolnik

A color photo of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performing Alvin Ailey's The River, captured by Paul Kolnik. The image features a group of dancers in the center, all wearing light-colored costumes and standing in a formation with their hands raised. Two dancers are lying on the stage, each under their own spotlight, on either side of the group. The background is dark, which highlights the dancers in the spotlight.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Alvin Ailey's The River Photo by Paul Kolnik

The River shows Mr. Ailey at his inventive best.

The New York Times

Music Credits

Music used by arrangement with G. Schirmer, Inc., publisher and copyright owner.

Funders

Generous support for this production of The River was provided by Celestine & Howard Campbell, Denise Littlefield Sobel, and The Jaharis Family Foundation. 
The original Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater production of The River was made possible, in part, with public funds from the National Endowment for the Arts and the New York State Council on the Arts, a State agency, and by a grant from the Ford Foundation.