The esteemed Paul Taylor Dance Company is set to captivate audiences with a significant engagement that will see the revival of two infrequently performed dances from its historical repertoire. This noteworthy series of performances represents the company’s most ambitious reconstruction endeavor to date, focusing on bringing Tablet, a work from 1960, and Churchyard, from 1969, back to the stage after several decades.
The program is further enriched by the inclusion of three enduring masterworks by the iconic Paul Taylor: Cloven Kingdom (1976), Polaris (1976), and the celebrated Esplanade (1975), which continues its 50th-anniversary commemoration.
This significant reconstruction effort is under the guidance of Artistic Director Michael Novak, who is collaborating with a distinguished team of artists closely associated with Taylor’s work. This team includes Rehearsal Director Bettie de Jong, Director of Education Carolyn Adams, and Nicolas Gunn, who were original cast members in Churchyard. Their firsthand experience and deep historical understanding of these pieces are proving invaluable. They are joined by Rehearsal Director Cathy McCann, Director of Licensing Richard Chen See, and current Company member Madelyn Ho, M.D., who is providing assistance in the studio. This intergenerational collaboration is dedicated to imbuing these rarely seen works with renewed vitality, approaching the task with meticulous care, integrity, and profound artistic insight.
Artistic Director Michael Novak has conveyed that these works were pioneering at their premiere and maintain their relevance today. The process of reconstructing them has been described as a profound exploration, revealing the extensive scope of Taylor’s creative genius and his remarkable capacity to mirror the human condition across different eras. The intention is to introduce these significant dances to a new generation of audiences in an intimate theatrical setting that captures the power they held at their inception.
The engagement will present two distinct programs for theatergoers. Program I will feature Polaris, Tablet, and Cloven Kingdom. Program II will showcase Tablet, Churchyard, and Esplanade. Each program is designed to highlight Paul Taylor’s renowned versatility and the exceptional range and artistry of the Company, from the incisive wit of Cloven Kingdom and the perceptual challenges of Polaris to the radiant physicality of Esplanade.
About the Works:
- Tablet (1960) is an early duet characterized by an archaic, courtship-like sensibility, filled with inventiveness and a playful spirit. The piece features original design by the visual artist Ellsworth Kelly and a score by David Hollister.
- Churchyard (1969), set to medieval-inspired music by Cosmos Savage, unfolds in two evocative sections titled “Sacred” and “Profane.” The dance juxtaposes formal, angelic movements with a more grotesque and angular vocabulary, creating a world shaped by themes of faith, mortality, and the continuous cycle of life and death.
- Cloven Kingdom (1976) is a sharp comedy of manners that delves into the dualities of human nature—exploring the interplay between refinement and instinct, civility and underlying chaos. Presented with sleek tuxedos, glittering gowns, and surreal headpieces, the dance occurs in a realm of elegant absurdity, set to a score blending Baroque music with propulsive percussion. It remains one of Taylor’s most theatrical and visually striking creations.
- Polaris (1976) challenges and explores the nature of perception in one of Paul Taylor’s most abstract compositions. Dancers interact within and around a large metallic cube designed by Alex Katz, accompanied by music from Donald York. Although the choreography of the first section is precisely replicated in the second, alterations in music and lighting create the illusion of changed movement.
- Esplanade (1975), now celebrating its 50th Anniversary, is a revolutionary work constructed from pedestrian movements such as walking, running, leaping, and falling. It transforms everyday actions into a transcendent expression of joy and vulnerability.
Performance Schedule & Programs:
Program I: Polaris, Tablet, Cloven Kingdom
- Tuesday, June 17 at 7:30 p.m.
- Thursday, June 19 at 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, June 21 at 2:00 p.m.
- Sunday, June 22 at 2:00 p.m.
Program II: Tablet, Churchyard, Esplanade
- Wednesday, June 18 at 7:30 p.m.
- Friday, June 20 at 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, June 21 at 7:30 p.m.
A post-show “Curtain Chat” hosted by Linda Murray with Artistic Director Michael Novak will follow the performance on June 18.
Tickets for this special engagement start at $27. The performances will take place at The Joyce Theater, located at 175 Eighth Avenue at 19th Street in New York City. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling JoyceCharge at (212) 242-0800, or by visiting the box office. The engagement runs from June 17–22, 2025.
