COMPLEXIONS CONTEMPORARY BALLET - A MATCHLESS AMERICAN DANCE COMPANY
Direct from New York and celebrating their 25th anniversary, world-renowned Complexions Contemporary Ballet returns to Auckland this May showcasing their distinctive brand of sheer passion, awe-inspiring skill and pure physically set to the iconic soundtracks of musical maestros JS Bach and David Bowie.
Across two stunning dance works, sixteen phenomenal dancers led by world renowned choreographer Dwight Rhoden and dance virtuoso Desmond Richardson will take to The Civic stage for five breathtaking performances, which reviewers have described as a ‘sublime fusion of dance and exquisite ballet technique’. Set in two acts, the first an awe-inspiring dance to the classical works of JS Bach, showcasing the technical perfection, musicality and versatility of the company; the second a dazzling homage to the iconic and chameleon spirit of David Bowie, fusing his greatest hits to form a rock-inspired ballet in his honor.
This year will see the Complexions Contemporary Ballet celebrate their 25th year with a gala ball in New York City. Well known as one of the world’s most progressive and respected dance companies, the company has performed to audiences all around the world. Of Bach to Bowie, Broadway World has called Bach to Bowie ‘A timeless piece of contemporary art’, while Billboard Magazine has described the show as ‘inventive, emotionally satisfying and just plain joyful’ and the company ‘utterly transfixing’.
Auckland Live director, Robbie Macrae, looks forward to welcoming the company to Auckland in May. “Auckland Live is dedicated to bringing the world’s most innovative and dynamic performing arts companies to Aotearoa, New Zealand. Complexions Contemporary Ballet is one such company and we are delighted to bring this extraordinary ensemble back to Auckland,” says Mr Macrae.
Complexions Contemporary Ballet’s Bach to Bowie will run from Thursday 9 - Sunday 12 May at The Civic. Tickets go on sale Wednesday 20 March, 9am.
Tickets*: Premium Elite, $125; Premium, $84.90.
For more information and to book tickets go to aucklandlive.co.nz/show/complexions *Service fees apply.
In celebration of the company’s commitment to fostering young talent, Auckland Live has created a special student group price of $10** a ticket, while available. For more information please contact groups@ticketmaster.co.nz.
**Terms and Conditions apply
For more information please contact:
Publicist Chris Henry // 818
chris@818.co.nz +64 21 670 604
ABOUT THE COMPANY:
Complexions was founded in 1994 by master choreographer Dwight Rhoden and the legendary dancer Desmond Richardson, with a singular approach to reinventing dance through a groundbreaking mix of methods, styles and cultures. Today, Complexions represents one of the most recognised and respected performing arts brands in the world and has presented an entirely new and exciting vision of human movement in over 20 countries on five continents, and to over 20-million television viewers and thousands of live audiences across the globe.
ABOUT THE CREATIVES:
DWIGHT RHODEN
Dwight Rhoden is the founding artistic director/resident choreographer of Complexions Contemporary Ballet. He has established a remarkably wide-ranging career, earning distinction from The New York Times as “one of the most sought-out choreographers of the day.” A native of Dayton, Ohio, who began dancing at age 17, Rhoden has performed with Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Les Ballet Jazz De Montreal and as a principal dancer with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. As a performer, he has appeared in numerous television specials, documentaries and commercials throughout the United States, Canada and Europe, and has been a featured performer on many PBS Great Performances television specials. In 1994, Rhoden and legendary dancer Desmond Richardson founded Complexions Contemporary Ballet. Together they have brought their unique brand of contemporary dance to the world.
DESMOND RICHARDSON
Desmond Richardson is Complexion’s artistic director. As the first black American principal dancer of the American Ballet Theater, Desmond received a Tony Award nomination for his role in the original Broadway cast of Fosse; played Tony in Twyla Tharp’s Broadway production Movin’ Out; made his Broadway signing debut in the Burt Bacharach/Hal David-Ann Reinking/Scott Ellis Broadway production The Look Of Love; and was a standout in the recent Tony Award-winning Broadway production After Midnight. With his technical virtuosity and statuesque, expressive demeanor he has been hailed by the NY Times as among the great dancers of his time.
