T and B on the Aisle-- A Theater Diary: Commmeorating 100 Springs of "Le Sacre du Printemps

Michael Trusnovec in Paul Taylor's Le Sacre du Printemps (The Rehearsal, photo by Paul B. Goode

It’s been 100 years since a near-riot broke out in a Parisian theater, Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, as Vaslav Nijinsky staged his now notorious ballet for Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets Russes. It is said that it was not Igor Stravinsky’s new and experimental “Le Sacre du Printemps” but the seeming brutality of the ballet that caused the outcry.

Launched in the turmoil of conflicting artistic opinion, with that performance on May 29, 1913, Igor Stravinsky’s “Rite of Spring” has enjoyed its place in the sun ever since. In fact, Stravinsky's music is one of the most recorded works in the classical repertory, and has had a great influence on many of the 20th century's leading composers.

This year, Igor Stravinsky’s beautiful work is getting the birthday bashes it deserves. And a revival of the Paul Taylor ballet “Le Sacre Du Printemps (The Rehearsal)”as an anniversary treatment as well. It’s like icing on the cake.

Michael Trusnovec and Laura Halzack in Paul Taylor's Le Sacre du Printemps (The Rehearsal), photo by Paul B. Goode

Never one to shy from a controversy, Paul Taylor gives his take on the Vaslav Nijinsky original in “Le Sacre Du Printemps (The Rehearsal),” set to the two piano version of the revolutionary composition.

In PTDC’s spring season, “Le Sacre Du Printemps (The Rehearsal)” will be performed on March 8th, 14th and 22nd at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center.

Also look for the premiere of Taylor's 138th dancepiece, along with the New York premiere of "To Make Crops Grow" (his 137th creation. Expect the return of old favorites, as well, of course, like "Company B" (see reviews at

http://www.vevlynspen.com/2011/03/keeping-it-relevant-at-paul-taylor.html, http://tbontheaisleatheaterdiary.blogspot.com/2011/09/celebrate-dance-with-paul-taylor-dance.html, and http://www.vevlynspen.com/2011/03/keeping-it-relevant-at-paul-taylor.html, http://tbontheaisleatheaterdiary.blogspot.com/2012/02/celebrating-50-years-at-ptdc.html) and the now 50-year old "Scudorama" among others.