Ensemble Español Opens Auditorium Theatre's 2021-2022 Season Oct. 16
Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater, in residence at Northeastern Illinois University, returns to the Auditorium Theatre 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. Celebrating the finale performance of its 45th anniversary "Zafiro Flamenco (Sapphire Flamenco): New Era, New Works, New Legacies" season, the Chicago-based Ensemble Español has been hailed for "its grand theatricality, precision-tooled technique, and flamenco-based fire" (Chicago Tonight).
This performance opens the Auditorium's 2021-2022 Season and is the first presented performance by the theater since it closed in March of 2020. It is also the first program in the Auditorium's "Made in Chicago" Dance Series and the kick-off event of Instituto Cervantes' Chicago Flamenco Festival 2021.
"Over 17 months ago, we presented our last live performance on our historic stage. On Oct. 16 we are excited to open our doors once again with the celebrated Chicago dance company Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater," said Auditorium Theatre CEO Rich Regan. "We invite all of Chicago to this grand re-opening as we continue our 131-year journey as one of the city's premier cultural institutions."
"We're proud to open the Auditorium Theatre after its long closure," says Irma Suarez Ruiz, Ensemble Español Artistic Director. "For 45 years the company has been creating dance and performing in this great city. A concert is an ideal way to celebrate this achievement."
"This is the 15th time we've performed on the Auditorium Theatre stage," says Jorge Perez, Ensemble Español Executive & Associate Artistic Director. "We are always grateful when we perform here, knowing the unparalleled opportunity a performance here means to connect with Chicago audiences as one of the cities very own international cultural treasures."
The program for the Oct. 16 engagement will open with "Tangos de Granada" (2021) choreographed by Chicago's own, Wendy Clinard, Artistic Director, Clinard Dance. The program also features two world premieres of Ensemble Español Company works: "Ritmo de la Tierra (Rhythm of the Earth)" (Martinete), and "Al Golpe" (Jaleos) choreographed by Nino de los Reyes, the first dancer to ever win a Grammy. Reyes is also showcased as performer in two solo works: "Farruca" (2021) and the world premiere of "Lo Que Los Ojos No Ven" (What the Eyes Cannot See) also choreographed by de los Reyes.
Other program works include the folkloric suite "Viva Galicia" (2007) by Paloma Gomez & Christian Lozano and popular works from the company's repertoire including: "Horizonte" (2018) choreographed and performed by Company dancer Monica Saucedo; "Sevilla" (2019) featuring Ensemble Español Artistic Director Irma Suarez Ruiz on castanets; "Defalla, Fuera de la Caja" (Defalla, Out of the Box) (2017) by Angel Rojas; "Pasion Oculta" (Hidden Passion) (2019) by Artistic Director Ruiz; "Entre Dos Almas" (Between Two Souls) (1998), choreographed and performed by Ruiz and Perez; and the company's signature work, "Bolero" (1993) choreographed by Company Founder Dame Libby Komaiko.
Musical guest artists performing in the program include: Flamenco singer/guitarist Paco Fonta (Jaen/Miami); singer, guitarist and percussionist José Moreno (Madrid, Malaga, New York); Flamenco guitarist David Chiriboga (Ecuador/Chicago) classical guitarist Brian Torosian (Chicago); Percussionist Javier Saume-Mazzei (Venezuela/Albuquerque).
Individual tickets start at $25 and are available at tickets.auditoriumtheatre.org, by phone at 312.341.2300, or in person at the Auditorium Theatre Box Office (50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive). The Auditorium Theatre also offers $15 student rush tickets to full-time college students and $5 tickets to young people ages 13-19 with Urban Gateways' Teen Arts Pass program.
COVID-19 Safety Protocols: The Auditorium Theatre is implementing current COVID-19 safety protocols at each show, as well as implementing a flexible return and exchange policy. Proof of vaccination and identification at the time of entry into theater. Fully vaccinated means the performance date must be at least 14 days after a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine or 14 days after the second dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine. OR guests may provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of the performance start time, or a negative COVID-19 antigen test taken within 6 hours of the performance start time. Masks will be required at all times at the venue, except when eating and drinking. Ticket holders who enter the building agree that attending a live performance could expose them to a risk of COVID-19 exposure. For additional information visit auditoriumtheatre.org.