Dance Theatre of Harlem -

RETURN

(World Premiere September 21, 1999)

Choreography: Robert Garland

Music: James Brown, Alfred Ellis, Aretha Franklin, Carolyn Franklin

Costume Design and Execution: Pamela Allen-Cummings

Lighting: Roma Flowers

Return was choreographed for Dance Theatre of Harlem’s 30th anniversary. Choreographer Robert Garland calls the ballet’s style “post-modern urban neoclassicism – an attempt to fuse an urban physical sensibility and a neoclassical one.” Staged for 12 dancers to songs performed by James Brown and Aretha Franklin, Return is “… a witty fusion of ballet technique and street gait whose irony toward rhythm-and- blues had the audience in stitches.” (The New York Times)

“Mother Popcorn ” and “Superbad” performed by James Brown
“Baby, Baby, Baby” performed by Aretha Franklin
By arrangement with Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.

“Call Me” performed by Aretha Franklin
Courtesy of Pronto Music and Fourteenth Hour Music, Inc.

“I Got the Feelin’” performed by James Brown
By arrangement with Round Hill, Inc.

Return was commissioned by Arthur Mitchell and Dance Theatre of Harlem

CASTING

AUGUST 10th

Mother Popcorn

Ingrid Silva  Christopher Charles McDaniel

Lindsey Donnell Derek Brockington Yinet Fernandez Dylan Santos

Kamala Saara Daphne Lee Delaney Washington

Kouadio Davis Sanford Placide Micah Bullard

Baby, Baby, Baby

Lindsey Donnell Derek Brockington