The Joyce has announced that Twyla Tharp Dance will kick off its 2017–2018 season with a special three-week engagement.

Under the direction of Tony Award-winning choreographer Twyla Tharp, the company will present Dylan Love Songs, The Raggedy Dances, and The Fugue. This marks the world premiere of Dylan Love Songs, setting Tharp’s choreography to Bob Dylan songs, including “Things Have Changed” and “Shelter From the Storm.” This also marks the first revival of Tharp’s Raggedy Dances since it was first performed in 1972. Original dancers Sara Rudner and Rose Marie Wright will set the work on the current company of dancers. The program also features scenic design by four-time Tony winner Santo Loquasto (Hello, Dolly!) and lighting design by two-time Tony winner Jennifer Tipton (Jerome Robbins’ Broadway).

Tharp previously choreographed Broadway’s The Times They Are A-Changin’, the Bob Dylan jukebox musical. Tharp made her Broadway choreographic debut in 1976 with Push Comes to Shove. She returned to Broadway to direct 1981’s The Catherine Wheel. In 1985, Tharp both directed and choreographed the first Main Stem stage production of Singin’ in the Rain, for which she was nominated for a Drama Desk for Outstanding Choreography. Tharp made her biggest splash on the Great White Way with Movin’ Out, her concept musical set to the catalog of Billy Joel music, telling the story of five friends (named for characters like Brenda and Eddie in his songs) as they struggle through love, loss, and war. Directed and choreographed by Tharp, the musical earned Best Musical and Best Direction of a Musical nominations, and Tharp took home the statue for Best Choreography. The winning choreographer returned to Broadway with Come Fly Away, a concept musical set to Frank Sinatra tunes, for which Tharp won a Drama Desk Award and garnered another Tony nomination. (See highlights in the video above.)

Throughout her career, Tharp has choreographed over 160 works. In addition to creating work for her own company, she has created work for The Joffrey Ballet, American Ballet Theater, The Paris Opera Ballet, and more. She won two Emmy Awards for her work on Great Performances: Dance in America.

For tickets and information visit Joyce.org.

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