Giordano Dance Chicago (GDC) presents their "Season 61 | UNLIMITED!" Spring engagement at the Harris Theater at Millennium Park, 205 E. Randolph Street, with performances at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 5 and Saturday, April 6. The program will feature the world premiere of "Gershwin in B" choreographed by Al Blackstone, Emmy Award-winner for Best Choreography for Variety or Reality Programming for his work on "So You Think You Can Dance." The premiere of Adam Houston's new pas de deux "unconditional" and popular selections from GDC's repertoire will complete the program.
"'Gershwin in B' is a celebration of the glorious music of George Gershwin, the incredible legacy of Giordano Dance Chicago, and one young woman's curious spirit" says Blackstone. "Making this piece was its own chapter of my life and I'm grateful to Nan, Cesar, and the incredible dancers of Giordano Dance Chicago for making it such a beautiful one."
Blackstone has choreographed extensively around the country and Off-Broadway. Credits include "Freddie Falls in Love" (Joyce Theater), "Happy We'll Be" (Roseland Ballroom), "Elephant in the Room" (Arts on Site), "NORMA" (Steps on Broadway) and "Brown Eyed Girl" (2011 Capezio A.C.E. Award for Choreographic Excellence). In 2020 Blackstone won an Emmy for his work on "So You Think You Can Dance" (FOX). Additional network television credits include "Good Morning America" and The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. His artistic arena includes self-produced short films and in 2020 he was chosen by the Irving Berlin Estate to direct and choreograph "Isn't It a Lovely Day" to commemorate the 85th Anniversary of the classic musical "Top Hat."
Blackstone's work is the focus of entire second half of the program. The first half of the program will include the following:
• "unconditional"- World Premiere by GDC Company Dancer Adam Houston. "unconditional" comes to the stage through "G on G," GDC's investment in its dancers' artistic expression through a choreography showcase. Houston's new pas de deux will be performed by Fernando Rodriguez and Sasha Lazarus.
• "Alegría" by Kiesha Lalama (2011). The Chicago Tribune calls it "entertaining, swift and alluring, and smartly shows off the subtle, Latin-tinged joys of its score."
• "Entropy" by Davis Robertson (2002). Set to music by Astor Piazzolla, this work has been hailed as "a genuine stunner" by the Chicago Sun-Times.
Giordano Dance Chicago presents their "Season 61 | UNLIMITED!" Spring engagement at the Harris Theater at Millennium Park, 205 E. Randolph Street at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 5 and Saturday, April 6. Tickets range from $20-$90. For tickets or more information visit harristheaterchicago.org or call 312.334.7777
Giordano Dance Chicago (GDC), America's original jazz dance company, is an iconic cultural institution with deep roots in Chicago and partnerships around the globe. From its origins in founder Gus Giordano's original school in Evanston, Ill., to its current incarnation as a Chicago-based world-class dance company, GDC boasts more than a half century of worldwide performances (28 countries, 47 states, more than 1300 cities). Now in her 39th season, Nan Giordano has led the company as Artistic Director, responsible for commissioning innovative choreographic works and mentoring thousands of aspiring dancers. This season she is joined by GDC's new Executive Director Erica Lynette Edwards as the company continues its exciting evolution.
GDC is one of the few dance companies in the world that has a foundational technique (NGCP©) with certified teachers in 36 states and 8 countries. This season, GDC's robust schedule will include touring performances around the U.S. including Naples, Fla., Dallas, Texas and Santa Fe, N.M. GDC's educational mission includes workshops and mentorship programs at home and on tour. Their Jazz Dance/Science & Health initiative is a robust arts integration program in which GDC company dancers use a dance-centric framework to teach state-mandated elementary school anatomy and nutrition curriculum within the science classroom. Offered in the spring of each year since 2006, this seven-week, no-cost program has served more than 5,500 Chicago Public School students. For more information about GDC visit giordanodance.org.
Crowds will flock to see “Judgment Day,” having its world premiere at Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier. While many…
In "Panther in the Sky," playwright Lani T. Montreal masterfully weaves a tapestry of grief, resilience, and redemption through the…
A collaboration of Chicago dance and Germany lighting sculpture live on stage About the Program: This program, set within an…
Broadway In Chicago is excited to announce the pre-Broadway World Premiere of DEATH BECOMES HER is now playing at the Cadillac Palace Theatre…
Blue in the Right Way audaciously chose for their inaugural production a 400-year-old play, WOMEN BEWARE WOMEN, written in 1621…
I think my favorite thing – well, one of my favorite things – about Wyatt Kent’s take on HAMLET is…
Frolicking season is upon us once again and Joffrey Ballet welcomes summer with the return of Alexander Ekman’s “Midsummer Night’s…
As the audience takes its seats we are greeted by an atmosphere of foreboding, a trestle bridge girder to the…
Director Chuck Smith returns to Goodman with another major August Wilson revival–“Joe Turner’s Come and Gone”. This is the second…
The Gift Theatre is pleased to announce its 2024-25 season featuring Suzan-Lori Parks' masterpiece Topdog/Underdog directed by Shanésia Davis and the world premiere of Cygnus by Susan Soon He…
Broadway In Chicago is excited to announce that individual tickets for the world premiere of the first ever touring production…
Full cast and crew have been announced for BrightSide Theatre's upcoming production of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, the rock opera that…
Chicago Opera Theater (COT), Chicago’s foremost producer of new and reimagined opera, closes its 50th Anniversary season presenting the final performances of…
Tim Rhoze, Artistic Director of Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre, has announced the company's 2024 season of four productions. The season will open with…
David Williamson, regarded as one of the top magicians in the world today, makes his Rhapsody Theater debut with Ridiculous! Known for his tours…
Curious Theatre Branch is pleased to announce the 35th annual Rhinoceros Theater Festival, May 25 - June 30 at six venues across Chicago. The…
It’s often said that in the workplace you should refrain from talking about politics and religion; too personal, too easy…
BALLET 5:8 is a female - and minority-led ballet company resident at Harris Theatre in Millenium Park. Under the leadership…
When life’s chaos is full of impossible choices, how are we possibly meant to move forward? Brooklyn Laundry is about…
I would absolutely bomb out of jury selection cos I have a very definite bias: I’ve been a fan(atic) of…
You got trouble, my friends, if you’re going to put on Meredith Willson’s The Music Man. If you’re going to…
This year's Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater 65th-anniversary engagement at Chicago's historic Auditorium Theatre held particular importance as it marked…
For the final show of its 30th anniversary season, Trap Door Theatre—the little company that could—has selected a sure-fire hit…
Chicago’s National Landmark Auditorium Theatre (50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive) proudly announces its 2024-25 performance season presenting a vibrant mix of…
Chicago Writers' Bloc has announced the lineup of plays and musicals for its biennial festival of new plays, to be…
If you appreciate classical music and captivating stories about brilliant artists from the past, Hershey Felder’s one-man show, Monsieur Chopin:…
Jackalope Theatre Company continues its 16th season at Edgewater’s Berger Park, 6205 N. Sheridan Rd., with the announcement of the cast…
Born and raised in Mexico City, Dr. Ricardo Rosenkranz, MD, Chicago’s own Physician Magician, will celebrate the festive Cinco de Mayo holiday weekend by…
The Player (Lorenze Rush Jr) has just run into Rosencrantz and Guildenstern with his troupe of players. As he explains…
Those were my first words when I left the performance of COCK to David Zak, producer and resident wizard of…
Does your theatre company want to connect with Buzz Center Stage or would you like to reach out and say "hello"? Message us through facebook or shoot us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
*This disclaimer informs readers that the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to Buzz Center Stage. Buzz Center Stage is a non-profit, volunteer-based platform that enables, and encourages, staff members to post their own honest thoughts on a particular production.