Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell, Creative Director of Hubbard Road Dance Chicago (HSDC) and Government Director David McDermott in the present day introduced programming for its 2024/25 season. Season 47 will usher in a brand new period with prestigious collaborations, together with the corporate’s Steppenwolf Theatre Firm debut. HSDC’s forty seventh Season may also inaugurate a partnership with The Verdon Fosse® Legacy. Hubbard Road Dance Chicago is the one firm on the planet to be granted approval so as to add a Bob Fosse® work in its repertoire.
Mixing timeless choreography with up to date aptitude, the Season 47: Fall Sequence (Nov. 15-24) will mark Hubbard Road’s first engagement at Chicago’s landmark Steppenwolf Theatre Firm (1650 N. Halsted St.). This system is ready to function the Firm Premiere of Candy Gwen Suite choreographed by American dance legend Bob Fosse along with his longtime muse Gwen Verdon by a milestone collaboration with The Verdon Fosse® Legacy. Verdon’s admiration for HSDC started within the Eighties when she sought to adapt Fosse’s works for live performance dance. This included staging Fosse’s Percussion 4 for the corporate throughout Fisher-Harrell’s tenure as a HSDC dancer.
“Gwen Verdon adored the Hubbard Road dancers for his or her range and skills to authentically embody all kinds of types,” mentioned Nicole Fosse, founder and creative director of The Verdon Fosse® Legacy. “The present firm’s limitless skills, below Creative Route of Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell, proceed to carry true in the present day.” Nicole Fosse, daughter of Verdon and Fosse and Allen Fields (Director of Inventive Growth of The Verdon Fosse® Legacy) proceed the mission of bringing the genius of Bob Fosse® to world-wide audiences.
The Fall Sequence may also function the tour de pressure solo piece Present Pony by Kyle Abraham. Additionally featured will probably be the intimate, Prelude to a Kiss by Lar Lubovitch. Two items by Resident Artist Aszure Barton, now in her second 12 months of residency with HSDC, will spherical out this system. They’re the contemplative return to endurance and the breathtaking hit BUSK. The Chicago Tribune raved, “BUSK and return to endurance make crystal clear why Barton and Hubbard Road are so good for one another. Each are works Hubbard Road can do higher than simply about anybody else.”
“Steppenwolf is thrilled to welcome Hubbard Road Dance to our creative dwelling this 12 months,” mentioned E. Brooke Flanagan, Government Director of Steppenwolf Theatre Firm. “We invite audiences to buckle-up for this exhilarating journey of a program and celebration of a globally acknowledged Chicago-based dance firm that shares our theater’s dedication to ground-breaking innovation and thought-provoking work.”
In February 2025, Hubbard Road will return to its Chicago dwelling on the Harris Theater for Music and Dance (205 E. Randolph St.) for Winter Sequence (Feb. 13-16). Featured programming will embody Johan Inger‘s fantastical journey IMPASSE which was hailed by See Chicago Dance as “immensely entertaining”. Additionally featured will probably be a World Premiere by the dynamic, genre-defying choreographer James Gregg. Winter Sequence may also embody extra works to be introduced.
HSDC caps Season 47 with Spring Sequence on the Harris (Could 16-18). The Spring Sequence which is able to function a World Premiere by the Interim Creative Director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Matthew Dashing. Candy Gwen Suite by Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon will gentle up the Harris stage. This will probably be an addition to the Firm Premiere of Resident Artist Aszure Barton’s spectacular choreographic collage Blue Soup.
HSDC Creative Director Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell mentioned about Season 47, “The 2024/25 Season line-up completely demonstrates our values of artistry, belonging and curiosity – and the way thrilling it’s to work towards our mission of awakening the human spirit by up to date dance with our unimaginable new companions at The Verdon Fosse Legacy and Steppenwolf Theatre Firm. Not solely will we get to proceed our collaboration with Resident Artist Aszure Barton, however what higher technique to harken again to our jazz roots than with Fosse? When Gwen Verdon got here to HSDC within the early 90s to stage Percussion 4 on the Firm, it was simply magical. And I’m honored that Nicole and The Verdon Fosse Legacy are entrusting us with this scrumptious work. With Steppenwolf, I’ve admired how Glenn, Audrey, and Brooke are reimagining what the Firm means to Chicago and the larger arts group. So to be welcomed in by them so warmly is an amazing present. We’re so wanting ahead to reaching much more new audiences with our forty seventh season.”
Subscriptions for Season 47 will probably be accessible beginning in July 2024. Subscription costs start at $104 plus a $12 dealing with payment, primarily based on value zones chosen. HSDC can be proud to as soon as once more provide Younger Professionals Subscription packages for simply $60 plus a dealing with payment, which incorporates one Part 3 ticket per collection. Go to hubbardstreetdance.com/subscribe to study extra.
Hubbard Road is grateful to our Season 47 Companions Athletico Bodily Remedy and the Illinois Arts Council for his or her continued help.
The Season 47 efficiency schedule is as follows:
FALL SERIES
Friday, November 15 – Sunday, November 24, 2024 – At Steppenwolf Theatre Firm, Downstairs Theater
- Friday, November 15 at 7pm
- Saturday, November 16 at 7pm
- Sunday, November 17 at 2:30pm
- Thursday, November 21 at 7pm
- Friday, November 22 at 7pm
- Saturday, November 23 at 7pm
- Sunday, November 24 at 2:30pm
That includes:
return to endurance by Aszure Barton
Present Pony by Kyle Abraham
Prelude to a Kiss by Lar Lubovitch
Candy Gwen Suite by Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon
BUSK by Aszure Barton
WINTER SERIES
Thursday, February 13 – Sunday, February 16, 2025 – On the Harris Theater for Music & Dance
- Thursday, February 13 at 7:30pm
- Friday, February 14 at 7:30pm
- Saturday, February 15 at 7:30pm
- Sunday, February 16 at 3pm
That includes:
IMPASSE by Johan Inger
A World Premiere by James Gregg
And extra to be introduced.
SPRING SERIES
Friday, Could 16 – Sunday, Could 18, 2025 – On the Harris Theater for Music & Dance
- Friday, Could 16 at 7:30pm
- Saturday, Could 17 at 7:30pm
- Sunday, Could 18 at 3pm
That includes:
A World Premiere by Matthew Dashing
Candy Gwen Suite by Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon
Blue Soup by Aszure Barton
Choreographer Bios may be discovered right here.
About Hubbard Road Dance Chicago
Hubbard Road Dance Chicago’s mission is to awaken the human spirit by up to date dance, envisioning a dance panorama that’s related and accessible to all.
For 47 years, Hubbard Road has been one of the vital unique forces in up to date dance – bringing high choreographers and works to Chicago and past. Hubbard Road’s ever-evolving repertory, created by in the present day’s main choreographic voices, makes them an organization that dancers aspire to affix and efficiency venues all around the world are wanting to host. Up to now, the primary firm has carried out globally in 19 international locations and 44 U.S. states.
At dwelling in Chicago, Hubbard Road performs 20 instances a 12 months and delivers famend education schemes in 50 lecture rooms throughout 17 Chicagoland colleges. HSDC Schooling makes use of the choreographic course of to show important problem-solving abilities, creativity, and collaboration – increasing our attain past conventional live performance dance audiences, guaranteeing that everybody has entry to world-class dance and instruction.
Hubbard Road Dance Chicago grew out of the Lou Conte Dance Studio in 1977, and Conte served as Creative Director for 23 years. Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell started her tenure on the firm in March 2021. In January 2022, HSDC moved to their new dwelling in Water Tower Place on Michigan Avenue and acclaimed choreographer Aszure Barton was named Resident Artist in January 2023. Go to hubbardstreetdance.com for extra data.
About The Verdon Fosse® Legacy
The mission of The Verdon Fosse Legacy® is to advertise, protect, and shield the creative and mental property of Bob Fosse® and Gwen Verdon. Via its vary of instructional applications, Legacy-sanctioned lecturers and reconstructeurs educate Fosse® model, method, and work ethic to college students and professionals within the US & internationally. The Legacy goals to foster and educate performers, administrators, and choreographers, in addition to students and college students serious about American movie and musical theatre. It companions with universities, dance studios, museums, libraries, publishing firms, movie screenings, and non-profit organizations to honor the work and methodology of Gwen Verdon and Bob Fosse.
The Verdon Fosse Legacy Skilled Coaching Program’s mission is to empower in the present day’s artists by various dance coaching, instilling the unique integrity and intent of Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon’s work to construct uniquely highly effective entertainers for tomorrow. The Verdon Fosse Legacy oversees the licensing of Bob Fosse’s work for non-profit and for-profit industrial use. The Legacy protects the picture, creative, and mental property of Gwen Verdon and Bob Fosse and owns the logos for Fosse® and Bob Fosse® whose indelible influences may be seen throughout popular culture in the present day.
About Bob Fosse
Bob Fosse is likely one of the most internationally acknowledged figures within the historical past of the performing arts for his groundbreaking, genre-defining work as a director, choreographer, performer, and author throughout numerous mediums on each stage and display. In 1973, he turned the primary director in historical past to win the Oscar, Tony, and Emmy awards in a single 12 months. These have been for his spectacular triumphs with Cabaret on movie, Pippin on Broadway, and “Liza with a Z” on tv.
Although he acquired his begin as a performer, Mr. Fosse’s profession as a inventive pressure on Broadway started in 1954 when he served as choreographer for the Unique Broadway manufacturing of The Pajama Sport, incomes him the primary of his 9 Tony Awards. He went on to choreograph Rattling Yankees, Bells Are Ringing, New Lady In City, The way to Reach Enterprise With out Actually Making an attempt, and direct and choreograph Redhead, Little Me, Candy Charity (which he additionally conceived), Pippin, Liza, Chicago (for which he additionally co-wrote the e book), Dancin’, Huge Deal (for which he additionally wrote the e book), and the 1986 revival of Candy Charity.
On movie, he served as director and choreographer for Candy Charity, Cabaret, All That Jazz (additionally co-screenwriter), and Star 80 (additionally co-screenwriter), incomes him an Academy Award and two extra nominations for Greatest Director, in addition to a nomination for Greatest Unique Screenplay. All That Jazzadditionally received the Palme d’Or on the 1980 Cannes Movie Pageant. His extra movie credit embody choreography for The Pajama Sport, Rattling Yankees, and The Little Prince. Born in Chicago, Mr. Fosse started dancing at age 9 and made his first skilled look at 13 along with his childhood buddy Charles Grass below the identify “The Riff Brothers.”
After serving with the U.S. Navy within the Pacific Islands throughout World Struggle II, he reignited his profession as a dancer, performing alongside Mary Ann Niles in Name Me Mister, Make Mine Manhattan, and Dance Me a Tune. He additionally appeared within the MGM movies Give a Lady a Break; The Affairs of Dobie Gillis; and Kiss Me, Kate. His final performing engagements have been with New York Metropolis Heart, dancing the title function of their revival of Pal Joey and dancing the function of The Serpent in The Little Prince on display.
Bob Fosse handed away in 1987, on the Opening Night time of the Nationwide Tour of Candy Charity. Mr. Fosse’s work consistently finds new life in productions just like the lengthy working Broadway revival of Chicago (1996), Fosse (1999), and the Broadway revival of Dancin’ (2023), in addition to within the Emmy Award-winning FX collection “Fosse/Verdon” (2019), and the trio of dances Candy Gwen Suite (2021). The Verdon Fosse Legacy®, based by his daughter, Nicole Fosse, ensures Mr. Fosse’s enduring legacy will proceed to assist form the leisure panorama for years to come back.
About Gwen Verdon
Gwen Verdon is “broadly thought to be the perfect dancer ever to brighten the Broadway Stage” (The New York Occasions). Her early profession was marked by her shut working relationship with Jack Cole, for whom she labored as each a performer and assistant choreographer. Her most enduring skilled partnership, nonetheless, was with the person she would marry, Bob Fosse. Collectively, Ms. Verdon and Mr. Fosse ran up a string of iconic theatrical successes not rivaled by a director/choreographer and star earlier than or since.
After she earned her first of 4 Tony Awards in her breakout function as Claudine in Can-Can, her collaboration with Mr. Fosse started. She starred in Rattling Yankees (Tony Award), New Lady in City (Tony Award), Redhead (Tony Award), Candy Charity (Tony nomination) and Chicago(Tony nomination). Her work in function movies contains roles in On the Riviera, David & Bathsheba, Mississippi Gambler, Rattling Yankees, Cocoon, Cocoon: The Return, The Cotton Membership, Nadine, Marvin’s Room, Alice, Bruno, and Strolling Throughout Egypt. Early in her profession, she helped stage Marilyn Monroe’s efficiency of “Diamonds Are A Lady’s Greatest Good friend” in Gents Want Blondes. She served as Creative Advisor for Steam Warmth, the Emmy Award-winning documentary about Mr. Fosse. She additionally appeared on the tv applications “Mash,” “Fame,” “Trapper John,” “M.D.,” “Webster,” “Magnum, P.I.,” “The Equalizer,” “Dream On,” “Pricey John,” “Murder,” and “Legs.” Her work within the live performance dance world spanned a long time and continents, together with Chicago’s Hubbard Road Dance, the Beijing Ballet Faculty in China, the Houston Ballet Firm, and the Paul Taylor Dance Firm. Counted among the many a whole bunch of companions with whom she danced all through the course of her profession have been Mikhail Baryshnikov and Rudolph Nureyev. Amongst her many accolades, Ms. Verdon received a Grammy Award for Redhead and acquired a Nationwide Endowment for the Arts & Humanities Award.
About Steppenwolf Theatre Firm
Steppenwolf Theatre Firm is the nation’s premiere Ensemble Theater with 49 members who’re among the many high actors, playwrights and administrators within the discipline. Thrilling, highly effective, groundbreaking productions – from Balm in Gilead and Grapes of Wrath to August: Osage County, Downstate and The Brother/Sister Performs – have made this theatre legendary.
Based in 1976, Steppenwolf began as a bunch of teenagers performing within the basement of a church. At the moment, the corporate’s creative pressure stays rooted within the unique imaginative and prescient of its founders: an artist-driven theatre, whose vitality is outlined by its urge for food for daring and modern work. Each side of Steppenwolf is rooted in its Ensemble ethos, from the intergenerational creative programming to the multi-genre efficiency collection LookOut, to the nationally acknowledged work of Steppenwolf Schooling and Engagement which serves practically 15,000 teenagers yearly.
Whereas grounded within the Chicago group, greater than 40 unique Steppenwolf productions have loved success nationally and internationally, together with Broadway, Off-Broadway, London, Sydney, Galway and Dublin. Steppenwolf additionally holds accolades that embody the Nationwide Medal of Arts, 12 Tony Awards, and extra. Led by Creative Administrators Glenn Davis and Audrey Francis, Government Director Brooke Flanagan and Board of Trustees Chair, Keating Crown – Steppenwolf regularly redefines the panorama of performing and efficiency. Steppenwolf’s Mission: Steppenwolf strives to create thrilling, brave and provocative artwork in a considerate and inclusive surroundings. We succeed after we disrupt your routine with experiences that spark curiosity, empathy and pleasure. We invite you to affix our ensemble as we navigate, collectively, our complicated world. steppenwolf.org, fb.com/steppenwolftheatre, twitter.com/steppenwolfthtr and instagram.com/steppenwolfthtr.
Photograph by Michelle Reid: Creative Director Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell with Hubbard Road Dance Chicago.
