Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is the great behemoth of American modern dance. Founded in the Fifties to "preserve the uniqueness of the African American cultural experience", the New York-based troupe has performed to 25 million people in 71 countries. And here they are, back at Sadler's Wells in London, with nine works spread over two programs.
In 1979, a 4-year-old Matthew Neenan made his professional dance debut in Boston Ballet's "The Nutcracker" at the Wang Theater. This weekend, his first choreographed work for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater makes it Boston premiere on that same stage.
Artistic Director, Alicia Graf Mack and Choreographer, Matthew Neenan join NBC 10’s morning anchors to discuss Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s engagement in Boston and the program including the world premiere of Matthew Neenan’s Difference Between.
The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater arrives in Boston April 30 for its annual visit, its 58th hosted by Vivo Performing Arts (formerly Celebrity Series of Boston) and its first with Artistic Director Alicia Graf Mack, the fourth artist to hold this role since the company was founded 70 years ago by Alvin Ailey (1931-1989). This year’s tour presents two world premieres: “The Holy Blues” (2025), created by Jawole Willa Jo Zollar with Samantha Figgins and Chalvar Monteiro; and “Difference Between” (2025), by Boston-born and Boston Ballet School-trained choreographer Matthew Neenan. The company will perform two programs over four days and conclude each performance with Ailey’s signature masterpiece “Revelations,” an anthem to resilience and joy.