Morphoses/The Wheeldon Company with musical guest Martha Wainwright August 15, 2009

Dance

A very special evening of dance and music that will feature a world premiere by choreographer Christopher Wheeldon, set to new music by Martha Wainwright, both commissioned by City Parks Foundation.

Two exceptional evenings of dance are on hand as the critically acclaimed ballet company Morphoses/The Wheeldon Company premieres a new work commissioned by City Parks Foundation. Performing alongside the dancers will be popular singer/songwriter Martha Wainwright, who has written an original, fifteen minute score for these two special performances at Central Park SummerStage.

Internationally acclaimed choreographer Christopher Wheeldon is Artistic Director and Co-Founder of Morphoses/The Wheeldon Company. A former dancer with The Royal Ballet and soloist with New York City Ballet (where he served as Resident Choreographer from 2001 to 2008), Wheeldon founded Morphoses in 2007 with the goal of introducing a new spirit of innovation to classical ballet by fostering collaboration among choreographers, dancers, visual artists, designers, composers, and others who can bring new life and perspective to the dance. The company has since gone on to receive rave reviews, making Christopher Wheeldon one of the most in-demand choreographers working in dance today.

Since Martha Wainwright’s eponymous debut, the sharp-witted songbird has been keeping busy through international touring, earning numerous accolades and awards. She has made music with Pete Townshend, Damon Albarn’s Africa Express, Antony Hegarty, and Snow Patrol, with whom she scored a Top 20 hit. She’s covered Leonard Cohen songs for the film I’m Your Man, performed Bertold Brecht and Kurt Weill’s “Seven Deadly Sins” with the Royal Ballet Company, and sang Pink Floyd’s “See Emily Play,” with her mother at a Syd Barrett tribute.

Official Website: http://www.summerstage.org