Deborah Jowitt talks to Alvin Ailey (in a daydream)

"Our own building?"

Dance critic Deborah Jowitt wrote about the ongoing Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater anniversary season in yesterday's Village Voice. Here is a sample:

"Here’s my daydream. I’m walking along 8^th Street and meet
the ghost of Alvin Ailey. He looks gorgeous—just the way he did when I
ran into him over 30 years ago in the same place. “Alvin,” I say, “did
you know that on the opening night of your company’s 50^th
anniversary season—in honor of it—the top part of the Empire State
Building was bathed in gold light?” He looks astounded, thinks I’m
kidding (the dance grapevine must not work well where he is). “And,” I
add, “they’ve created a special Alvin Ailey Barbie® doll; she’s posed
in her box as if she’s doing those upflung leaps in Revelations’ ‘Take Me to the Water’ section, and she’s wearing the correct, flouncy white dress for it.” He falls on the pavement laughing. But you know what? He’s thrilled."

But, Deborah, you left out possibly the most astounding development of all, "Did you know the company now has it's own building? In Manhattan (and I don't mean Manhattan, Kansas) no less?"

My guess is that Ailey would be gratified that his company is surviving, surprised that it thriving, and astounded that it is, essentially, the most successful dance company in the world. But I guess that's Ms. Jowitt's point. Read: Lights Up! Alvin Ailey's Gang Turns 50.

When does the whole feelgood juggernaut roll into Boston's stately domain, you ask? April 28-May 3 at The Opera House.