Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Image courtesy of the Detroit Opera House
New York’s acclaimed Complexions Contemporary Ballet is set to celebrate three decades of redefining dance with its first-ever Detroit Opera House performances on December 7 and 8. Co-founded by dance legends Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson, the groundbreaking company will bring its electrifying blend of contemporary ballet and modern innovation to Detroit audiences, backed by the Detroit Opera Orchestra and the stirring sounds of U2. Marking 30 years of pushing the boundaries of ballet, Complexions promises a powerful and unforgettable experience that’s as dynamic and genre-bending as its illustrious history.
The first part of the program will feature the Detroit debut of a piece that celebrates 30 years of Complexions Contemporary Ballet. This new work will have music by Michael Abels and spoken word by poet and journalist Aaron Dworkin. Abels is known for his film scores for Jordan Peele’s movies Get Out and Us, and for co-composing the 2023 Pulitzer Prize-winning opera Omar. Dworkin, who received a MacArthur Fellowship in 2005, founded the Sphinx Organization, which is a nonprofit in Detroit that works to increase the representation of Black and Latino musicians in classical music.
The upcoming program will feature several remarkable pieces. It will include “Elegy,” which showcases music from Beethoven’s beautiful “Moonlight Sonata.” Another piece, “Choke,” honors the memories of Rhoden’s and Richardson’s mothers and includes music from Vivaldi’s famous “The Four Seasons.” Audiences can also look forward to the Detroit debut of Dwight Rhoden’s latest work, set to Ravel’s iconic “Boléro.” Additionally, the performance will include “Pocket Symphony,” featuring music by Sven Helbig.
Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Image courtesy of the Detroit Opera House
One of the highlights will be “Ave Maria,” a signature piece by Complexions. This special performance will include a live orchestra and soprano Brianna J. Robinson, who is one of the Resident Artists with Detroit Opera for the 2024–25 season. This will be the first time Complexions performs “Ave Maria” with a live singer and orchestra, making it a unique experience. The Detroit Opera Orchestra will be conducted by David LaMarche, who has spent 25 years with the American Ballet Theatre and is also the music director of the Paul Taylor Dance Company.
The program will conclude with selections from “For Crying Out Loud,” a new performance that features stunning choreography by Dwight Rhoden, set to the powerful and honest music of U2. Rhoden captures the vibrant stories found in U2’s songs, bringing them to life in a visually expressive way. The performance is both emotional and inspiring, leaving the audience filled with hope. Some of the songs you can look forward to include U2’s classics like “Where the Streets Have No Name,” “I Will Follow,” “Every Breaking Wave,” “Vertigo,” “With or Without You,” and “Pride.”
Alongside the public performances scheduled for December 7 and 8 at the Detroit Opera House, students from public schools in Detroit will join a private showing of For Crying Out Loud on Friday, December 6, at 11 am. Complexions Contemporary Ballet will conduct a public masterclass on Saturday, December 7, at 10 am at the Detroit Opera House, featuring NIQUE, the official techNIQUE developed by Complexions’ founders, Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson.
Complexions Contemporary Ballet: 30th-Anniversary Tour
Saturday, December 7, 2024, 7:30pm
Sunday, December 8, 2024, 2:30pm
Tickets start at $30 and are available at detroitopera.org.
Detroit Opera House
1526 Broadway St.
Detroit, MI 48226
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