While never abandoning its African-American roots, the ever-evolving Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has constantly branched into new stylistic realms while always delivering a high-voltage, committed brand of dance.
The company’s appearance beginning Friday at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House is among the first events in an 18th-month celebration of its 50th anniversary — an extraordinary accomplishment.
Because of its carefully cultivated mainstream appeal, the group appears on target to fill or nearly fill the theater for all three of its Denver performances, something that probably no other modern-dance company could do.
A partial explanation for the troupe’s longevity lies at the foundation of its repertory — Ailey’s “Revelations,” an enduring 20th-century dance masterpiece.
Although nearly 50 years old, the piece, which concludes each of the weekend’s programs, still seems as original and compelling as ever, expressing at once pain, devotion and exultation.
Set to spirituals and other African-American traditional religious music, it incorporates often basic, archetypal movement that is both visually arresting and emotionally evocative.
These latest Ailey dancers have made this classic their own, respecting its every nuance while investing it with aspects of themselves, especially Linda Celeste Sims and Glenn Allen Sims in their focused, powerful duet.
Other longstanding marks of this company are versatility, as evidenced by the program’s four diverse selections, and the amazing agility, flexibility and facility of its dancers, qualities showcased in the opener, “Love Stories” (2004).
Choreographed by Judith Jamison, with Robert Battle and Rennie Harris, this nonstop, high-energy (and overly long) piece melds a range of influences, including hip-hop and African dance.
Rounding out the evening were Camille Brown’s “The Groove to Nobody’s Business,” a delightful takeoff on such everyday scenes as waiting for a subway train, and Hans van Manen’s “Solo,” with terrific performances by Clifton Brown, Jamar Roberts and Antonio Douthit.
The program will be repeated at 2 p.m. today.
Kyle MacMillan: 303-954-1675 or kmacmillan@denverpost.com
