Ravinia 2021 - Issue 4

CHER<L MANN The Sofa Choreography by Itzik Galili Music by TomWaits The Sofa was created by Itzik Galili 25 years ago and has been performed all over the world since then. The choreographer’s chal- lenge was to create a work that could hold up a mirror to society, and this he achieved by means of a burlesque sketch in the spirit of a cabaret. The work is danced by a trio but really has two central characters: a macho and a yellow sofa. As the sofa flips over, so do our emo- tions. In the first half, we are only drawn in by the spectacular flying and throwing of the energetic choreography, even as we begin to sense some opposite feelings. When the sofa flips over in the second half, an instantaneous laugh escapes us as understanding dawns, like discovering the “how” of a magician’s trick. The interest in the choreography is then overshadowed by the game of ever-changing role play, every move provoking a burst of hi- larity. Even in this unanimous reaction, the mirror is still in front of us, triggering each one’s laugh from a different place. By provoking these mixed feelings of uneas- iness, amusement, and enjoyment through a light and nonjudgmental angle, the work re- veals itself to be a brilliant jewel able to cap- ture and highlight, like a mirror, society in all its diversity. The Times Are Racing Choreography by Justin Peck Music by Dan Deacon One of the most buzzed-about premieres of 2017 for the New York City Ballet, The Times Are Racing is a sneaker ballet that sees its dancers in streetwear designed by Opening Ceremony, drawing inspiration from a vari- ety of dance styles while matching Dan Dea- con’s electronic score with youthful impulse and vigor. Justin Peck’s The Times Are Racing is set to the last four tracks of Deacon’s ex- pansive 2012 album America . The ballet for 20 dancers was the NYCB Resident Choreogra- pher and Artistic Advisor’s second collabora- tion with fashion designer Humberto Leon of Opening Ceremony. The lighting is by Peck’s frequent collaborator Brandon Stirling Baker. The Joffrey Ballet is the only company outside of NYCB to perform this work. HISTORY OF THE JOFFREY BALLET Robert Joffrey and Gerald Arpino created a one-of-kind American company of dancers for whom they choreographed original and socially relevant ballets. They were the first to commission ballets by modern dance choreographers such as Alvin Ailey, Laura Dean, Mark Morris, and Twyla Tharp. They amassed the largest repertoire in the United States of works by such choreographers as Frederick Ashton, John Cranko, and Leonide Massine. They also reconstructed “lost” bal- lets of the early 20th century, primarily from Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes, including Nijin- sky’s Le sacre du printemps , Massine’s Parade , and Balanchine’s Cotillon . One of the most recognized names in dance, The Joffrey Ballet is known around the world for its repertoire of historical ballets as well as groundbreaking works such as Billboards , a full-length work created to the rock music of Prince. The Joffrey Ballet was the first American company invited to tour the former Soviet Union and the first dance company to perform at the White House. The Joffrey pioneered dance on television, inaugurating public television’s Dance in America series, and in 2003 director Robert Altman made a feature film called The Company based on The Joffrey Ballet’s origins. Then, in 2012, PBS and American Masters premiered the documentary Joffrey: Mavericks of American Dance . The company was originally established in New York in 1956 and for many years was the resident ballet company at City Center. The Joffrey was also the resident summer dance company at Ravinia Festival from 1972 to 1979 and the resident ballet company of the Los Angeles Music Center from 1982 to 1992. Finally, The Joffrey Ballet made Chicago its permanent home in 1995. Ashley Wheater was appointed artistic director in 2007, following the retirement of Arpino. Six years later, the Joffrey named Greg Cameron as its new Executive Di- rector, appointing him President and Chief Executive Officer in 2018. ASHLEY WHEATER, artistic director Born in Scotland and raised in England, Ashley Wheater was trained at The Royal Ballet School. Wheater began his professional career with The Royal Ballet and danced at the London Festival Ballet, The Australian Ballet, The Joffrey Ballet, and San Francisco Ballet. In 1997, he became ballet master for San Francisco, and in 2002, assistant to the artistic director. In 2007, Wheater was appointed artistic director of The Joffrey Ballet. New work is the lifeblood of a company, and he has introduced numerous premieres to the repertoire. In 2008, the Boeing Corporation rec- ognized his commitment to community outreach and diversity in the world of dance, presenting him the “Game Changer” award. In 2010, Wheater, representing the Joffrey, was named Lincoln Academy Laureate, the highest honor presented by the State of Illinois. The Chicago Tribune selected Wheater as the 2013 “Chicagoan of the Year” for his contributions to dance. In 2014, he accepted the Chicago Spirit of Innovation Award for The Joffrey Ballet. In 2015, he received the University of Chicago Rosenberger Medal for Outstanding Achievement in the Creative and Performing Arts. In December 2019, Wheater was appointed to the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) by Queen Elizabeth II. CHICAGO PHILHARMONIC The Chicago Philharmonic Society is a col- laboration of nearly 200 of the highest-level classical musicians performing in the Chi- cago metropolitan area. Governed under a structure of musician leadership, the society presents concerts at venues throughout the Chicago area that cover the full spectrum of symphonic music. The society’s orchestra, known simply as the Chicago Philharmonic, has been called one of the country’s finest symphonic orchestras, and its unique cham- ber music ensembles, which perform as Chi- cago Phil Chamber, draw from its vast pool of versatile musicians. The society’s community engagement programs connect Chicago-area youth to classical music by providing access to symphonic concerts, mentorship from Chi- cago Philharmonic musicians, and perfor- mance opportunities. Founded 32 years ago, the Chicago Philharmonic is known for pro- viding symphonic support to international and national touring companies in all music genres, and it served as the official orchestra of The Joffrey Ballet for eight years. The Chi- cago Philharmonic also continues its nearly 30-year association with Ravinia Festival, is a resident company of the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, and performs at all the great concert halls of the Chicago and North Shore area, including Auditorium Theatre and Symphony Center. The Illinois Council of Orchestras has awarded the Chicago Phil- harmonic with a range of honors, including Orchestra of the Year (2018), Programming of the Year (2019), Community Relations of the Year (2019), Executive Director of the Year (2020), and Conductor of the Year (2021). VIOLIN Janet Sung Concertmaster VIOLA Rose Armbrust-Griffin Principal CELLOS Nick Photinos Principal Larry Glazier Paula Kosower Oleksander Mycyk BASSES Michael Hovnanian Principal Jonathan Cegys RAVINIA.ORG • RAVINIA MAGAZINE 57