Alvin Ailey embraces past, present in Chicago return for troupe's 60th season

With Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, the past is always present. Just look at how the venerable modern dance troupe keeps the memory of its namesake founder alive by presenting Ailey's 1960 masterpiece "Revelations" at the conclusion of practically every performance.

Yet on the occasion of Ailey's 60th anniversary season, the company, which focuses on African-American culture, wanted to look toward the future by commissioning new works. Some of these make their Midwestern debut with Ailey's annual return to the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, which is a milestone this year because it marks the company's 50th anniversary of first playing the landmark Chicago venue.

Ailey dancers Sarah Daley-Perdomo (formerly of South Elgin and Bartlett) and Chicago native Vernard J. Gilmore are excited to once again perform before hometown crowds. Ailey's six-performance Auditorium run features a one-night only "Timeless Ailey" repertory sampler, but the majority of performances focus on newer works.

Famed hip-hop choreographer Rennie Harris was specially commissioned to create his fourth work for Ailey, one specifically honoring its late founder. Harris then created "Lazarus," an ambitious two-act ballet with an eclectic score that also expansively touches upon the difficult histories of African-Americans from centuries past and from today.

"It came to a culmination in this one work and (Harris) connecting to the history of how he felt connected to Mr. Ailey," said Gilmore, an Ailey company member since 1997. "It really does convey what (Harris') experience is here in America and learning about our history and seeing where we're going in the future - that was the feeling I got from him from working on this."

Jessica Lang's "EN" takes its name from a Japanese word with multiple meanings including circle, destiny, karma and fate. Daley-Perdomo said Lang got very personal in her creation process.

"It's actually her 100th ballet that she's choreographed," said Daley-Perdomo, an Ailey company member since 2011. "At the beginning of the process, she sat us down and talked about the inspiration behind the piece and her connections with everyone in the room."

"EN" features a new score by composer Jakub Ciupinski, and has a cyclical approach to drawing parallels to friendships, past histories and reconnections.

"It really set the tone for an enriching process, and I feel we bring that back every time we perform it," Daley-Perdomo said. "We knew how much this work meant to (Lang), and we know how much we mean to each other."

Another company premiere reflects Ailey artistic director Robert Battle's drive to challenge the company with contemporary pieces drawn from the ballet world. British choreographer Wayne McGregor's acclaimed 2014 piece "Kairos" features a score by Max Richter that riffs on Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons." It joined the Ailey lineup last year.

Though Gilmore isn't scheduled to perform "Kairos" in Chicago, he did work with McGregor when he taught the piece to the company.

"The work is just stunning - visually - and his choreographic voice is really interesting," Gilmore said. "I really love working with Wayne McGregor. He pulls out those extra fine lines for you to color as an artist."

In this anniversary season, both Gilmore and Daley-Perdomo are also reflective on their own family and dance roots around Chicago.

"It's nice to go home and just remember where I came from and be with the people who made me who I am," Daley-Perdomo said. "That always gives me a second wind to keep going and do better by honoring what my parents did for me and to honor (Ailey) as the man who created the opportunity for me to be able to do that."

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Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

Location: Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive, Chicago, (312) 341-2300 or auditorium theatre.org

Shows: "Lazarus" and "Revelations" at 7 p.m. March 6, 8 p.m. March 9 and 3 p.m. March 10; "Kairos," "EN" and "Revelations" at 7:30 p.m. March 7 and 2 p.m. Saturday, March 9; "Timeless Ailey" and "Revelations" at 7:30 p.m. March 8

Tickets: $34-$130