Inside Hubbard Street Dance's Fall Series

By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Oct 13, 2015 2:11PM

Staging artist and original cast member Amancio Gonzalez rehearses N.N.N.N. by William Forsythe with dancers Jacqueline Burnett, Ana Lopez, and Alicia Delgadillo. Photo by Todd Rosenberg.

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago opens their 38th season on Thursday with a celebration of renowned contemporary choreographer William Forsythe. The entire evening’s program is made up of only his works.

This is the third time that Hubbard Street has done a full program dedicated to the work of a single choreographer, first last year with Jiří Kylián and then Hubbard Street member Alejandro Cerrudo in the spring. This bold approach to programming gives us the chance to really get to know a choreographer’s style and understand their influences. Artistic Director Glenn Edgerton describes it best, likening them to exhibitions that you would see in an art museum.

So why Forsythe this time around? We asked Edgerton and staging artist Amancio Gonzalez that very question, and they both expressed similar excitement about what it’s like to work with him. “I’m fascinated with the infinity of ideas and nuance and concepts that are just flowing from his mind into the dancers,” says Edgerton. “He can turn even the simplest of movements into something so revolutionary and make it so fresh and new.”

The three pieces on the program represent different time periods over Forsythe’s years working with the Frankfurt Ballet and The Forsythe Company in Germany. With one U.S. premiere on the bill and one company premiere, these are works that you aren’t likely to have seen anywhere else, and that’s intentional. “That’s part of my premise,” says Edgerton, “I’m creating an identity for the company so that it’s not seen and done by other companies.”

The timing of this All-Forsythe program also coincides with his move back to the U.S. after nearly 30 years abroad. Hubbard Street has had a relationship with Forsythe, with the oldest piece, Quintet, already in their repertory, and plans are in the works to continue working together as he joins the staff at USC this fall.

The Hubbard Street Dance Fall Series opens Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at Harris Theater. Shows continue through the weekend. Tickets start at $30.