Brett Batterson Tweets NDT

In case you missed it, our Executive Director, Brett Batterson, posted his thoughts on last Tuesday's NDT performance on twitter - check it out here: http://twitter.com/AuditoriumChgo.

The Trib's Sid Smith on the "emotional" NDT engagement

"A novelist would be hard pressed to concoct a convergence of events as dizzying or as bittersweet as those swirling around the Nederlands Dans Theater's visit to the Auditorium Theatre this week.

"Looking on with complex emotions will be the outgoing NDT head, Anders Hellstrom, and his announced replacement, Jim Vincent, former NDT dancer and, until Aug. 3, artistic leader of Chicago's top contemporary troupe, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. Just as excited -- and maybe non-plussed -- will be onetime Joffrey Ballet dancer Glenn Edgerton, who danced with NDT, ran its lead company for a while, worked recently under Vincent and was just picked to replace him as Hubbard's new artistic director -- the third in its 32-year history."

Click here to read the rest.

Even MORE NDT press!

There's a great article in today's Sun-Times about next week's NDT engagement. Jim Vincent, who takes over as Artistic Director this fall, talks about each of the pieces they'll be performing.

NDT is also a "Critic's Choice" over at the Reader.

More Press for NDT

Flavorpill: "Dark, intricate, and loaded, NDT's repertoire bets on mood and doubles down on near-flawless execution."

Windy City Times: "I'm not trying to start a brawl, but I'll go ahead and say that Czech choreographer Jirí Kylián is the most influential artist working in the field....NDT hasn't performed in Chicago in over 30 years: Get tickets today if you haven't already."

Time Out Chicago: "NDT makes a rare visit to Chicago, and the huge Auditorium should be filled to the rafters. Established in 1959 by a group of renegades from the Dutch National Ballet, NDT is world-renowned for excellence and standard bearing in the world of contemporary ballet-meets-modern choreography."

Top 6 Reasons to See NDT this month!

1. It's your opportunity to boo the dastardly villains who are stealing Hubbard Street's Artistic Director Jim Vincent away from Chicago.

2. Just because they're from the Netherlands, doesn't mean they dance in wooden shoes. (This could be a plus or a minus, depending on your interest in percussion.)

3. You'll witness some of the most intricate and daring choreography in the world. After all, when a country's native tongue produces words like "Het Muziektheater" and the "Stadsschouwburg," you know they're not afraid to take risks.

4. Because any company that seamlessly melds artistic European dance with scantily clad men and women in skin-tight outfits HAS to be good.

5. You'll kick yourself after listening to the incessant bragging of your friends who did see them - while you have to wait another 38 years for them to come back to Chicago.

6. It's like the Bolshoi on mescaline!

In all seriousness - this is a rare Chicago appearance by one of the world's great dance companies, and we are honored to host them June 16 and 17. We hope you will come to see their amazing work!

NDT 50th Birthday Celebration

"Lang zal hij leven" to our friends at Nederlands Dans Theater, who will be celebrating their 50th birthday in the 2009-2010 season. To mark the occasion, they recently posted this video:



The Auditorium will be celebrating our 120th birthday this December, and we're happy to welcome our much younger friends for the final performances of their 49th season June 16 and 17. Great seats are still available - call 800.982.ARTS (2787), visit Ticketmaster.com or swing by our box office for your tickets.

Meet Nederlands Dans Theater Artists on June 17 at Russian Pointe

Join us for a pre-performance reception on Wednesday, June 17 at Russian Pointe Dance Boutique! The evening will feature wine, hors d'oeuvres and appearances by Nederlands Dans Theater Artistic Director Anders Hellström (pictured), Manager of International Affairs René Vlemmix and a dancer or two. Trolley transporation to the theatre for the performance is also provided.

Call 312.922.2110 ext 300 for information and reservations. The cost for the reception is $50 per person.

NDT - Kylian's Wings of Wax

Nederlands Dans Theater I is making a rare Chicago appearance June 16 and 17. Their program will include Paul Lightfoot and Sol Leon's Shoot the Moon, Jiri Kylian's Wings of Wax (above) and Crystale Pite's The Second Person. Tickets are available now - don't miss it!

Season Announcements

In addition to all the excitement around last week's Ailey shows, we also announced next year's subscription season last week! You can click here to read about it on our website.

Sid Smith of the Tribune calls it "a tantalizing dance series", and Hedy Weiss of the Sun-Times says, "The adventurous lineup ...suggests [the Auditorium] is feeling confident enough in its audience now to go the extra mile and present two of the most galvanic (if less instantly recognizable) companies now at work on the global scene."

The schedule includes:

• The Kirov Ballet & Orchestra - Giselle: October 2-5
  
• Margaret Garner: November 1-9
  
• Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah: December 12 & 14
  
• Batsheva Dance Company: February 7 & 8
  
• Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: April 1-5
  
• Eifman Ballet - Eugene Onegin: May 14-17
  
• Nederlands Dans Theater I: June 17-21

Photo: Diana Vishneva as Giselle.