FLIGHT, FLAIR, AND FIRE

Three strikingly different ballets showcase
Dance Theatre of Harlem’s range,
from classical precision to Caribbean
splendor and R&B exuberance

DTH Company Artists Derek Brockington and Alexandra Hutchinson in Firebird (photo by Rachel Papo)

Dance Theatre of Harlem’s performance in Washington, D.C., co-presented by Washington Performing Arts, was an exhilarating celebration of artistry, culture, music, and movement. The program brought together three very different works, Return, Donizetti Variations, and Firebird, spanning contemporary movement, classical ballet, and Caribbean-inflected storytelling.

DTH Company Artists in Robert Garland’s Return (photo by Jeff Cravotta)

The evening started with Return, a burst of energy that borrows from hip-hop and modern dance. Choreographed by Robert Garland and set to the music of James Brown and Aretha Franklin, the work brings an infectious sense of rhythm and soul to the stage. The powerful R&B music never overpowers the dance, which fuses soul with classical precision. The dancers meet the music with power and personality, giving Return an infectious vitality.

DTH Company Artists Alexandra Hutchinson and David Wright in George Balanchine’s Donizetti Variations (photo by Rachel Papo)

Donizetti Variations provides a beautiful contrast, emphasizing classical elegance, precision, and technical strength. The dancers demonstrate remarkable control and musicality in George Balanchine’s demanding choreography, combining discipline and grace with the speed and buoyancy the work requires.

DTH Company Artist Derek Brockington and Company Artists in Firebird (photo by Rachel Papo)

The centerpiece, Firebird, which made its world premiere in 1982, is a visual wonder. John Taras’s choreography, set to Igor Stravinsky’s powerful score, takes the familiar Russian folk tale and transforms it into a vibrant Caribbean-inspired story. Geoffrey Holder’s spectacular costumes and scenic designs add another layer of richness, creating a visual world as captivating as the dancing itself. Color, music, movement, and storytelling come together in a Firebird that feels both timeless and fresh.

DTH Company Artist Alexandra Hutchinson in Firebird (photo by Rachel Papo)

What makes the program distinctive is the way Dance Theatre of Harlem connects the traditions of classical ballet with African American and Caribbean cultural expression. Across three remarkably different works, technical rigor never comes at the expense of personality, musicality, or cultural identity. More than 50 years after its founding, the company continues to demonstrate just how expansive the language of ballet can be.

DTH Company Artists Kamala Saara, Derek Brockington, Kira Robinson and Company Artists in Firebird (photo by Rachel Papo)

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Dance Theatre of Harlem
Washington Performing Arts
The National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW in Washington, D.C.
Sept. 25 at 7:30; Sept. 26 at 2 & 7:30
for tickets ($78 and up), visit The National Theatre

for more shows, visit Theatre in DC

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