The Firebird is flying home.
Dance Theatre of Harlem returns to the Detroit Opera House Nov. 15 and 16, reviving its beloved ballet Firebird for the first time in more than two decades. The remount is part of a vibrant, genre-spanning program that highlights both the company’s roots and its bold, forward-facing vision.
“As a Detroiter, it is profoundly meaningful to bring Firebird to my hometown,” said Anna Glass, executive director of Dance Theatre of Harlem. “This ballet holds an important place in our legacy, representing both artistic excellence and the enduring power of collaboration.”
Originally staged in 1982 with choreography by John Taras and a Stravinsky score, Firebird was reimagined through Geoffrey Holder’s lush Caribbean aesthetic—the result: a vivid celebration of resilience and rebirth, where myth meets melanin. The New York Times called the original production a “whooping spell of delirium,” and this 2025 revival aims to enchant all over again.
Artistic Director Robert Garland calls the return of Firebird a celebration of renewal and cultural connection. It shares the stage with three other works: Garland’s “Nyman String Quartet No. 2,” a tribute to Olympian John Carlos and company founder Arthur Mitchell; Jodie Gates’ cinematic “Passage of Being,” featuring music by Son Lux; and Robert Bondara’s introspective “Take Me With You,” a pas de deux set to Radiohead’s “Reckoner.”
The Detroit residency is more than a performance. Dancers will visit Henry Ford Hospital, teach a masterclass at the opera house and perform for 2,000 Detroit Public Schools students as part of the district’s Cultural Passport program. Saturday’s show will also celebrate Divine Nine sororities and fraternities.
Founded in 1969 in the wake of Dr. King’s assassination, Dance Theatre of Harlem has long fused classical ballet with Black cultural expression. Detroit played a role in the company’s early growth, from artist Artis Lane designing its logo to the support of civic leaders and philanthropists. That legacy continues today through Detroit-born Glass and company dancers Derek Brockington and Ariana Dickerson.
“Detroit is a very natural and comfortable home for us,” former artistic director Virginia Johnson once said. That comfort will be on full display as the Firebird rises again—rooted in tradition, bursting with spirit, and dancing straight into the heart of the city.
Performances are Saturday, Nov. 15, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 16, at 2:30 p.m. at the Detroit Opera House. Tickets start at $30 at detroitopera.org. Detroit residents with ID can purchase $25 tickets in person at the box office starting the Monday before the show.
