Performing Arts Houston presents Twyla Tharp Dance Diamond Jubilee Tour
(HOUSTON, August 26, 2024) – Performing Arts Houston presents an evening of work by legendary choreographer Twyla Tharp celebrating her 60-year career with a Diamond Jubilee tour. The one-night-only Houston engagement features Tharp’s Ocean’s Motion with music by Chuck Berry, Brel, an homage to Belgian vocalist Jacques Brel, and The Ballet Master, a work demonstrating Tharp’s technical precision and wit at the Wortham Center’s Cullen Theater. Tickets start at $29, at performingartshouston.org.
EXTENDED PROGRAMMING
As part of Performing Arts Houston’s education and community engagement programs, a masterclass led by a Twyla Tharp Dance company member will be held at the Institute of Contemporary Dance on September 28 from 11:30 am-1 pm. The class is open to dancers aged 16+. Registration is open now, at performingartshouston.org/education.
ABOUT TWYLA THARP
Since graduating from Barnard College in 1963, Ms. Tharp has choreographed more than one hundred sixty works: one hundred twenty-nine dances, twelve television specials, six Hollywood movies, four full-length ballets, four Broadway shows and two figure skating routines. She received one Tony Award, two Emmy Awards, nineteen honorary doctorates, the Vietnam Veterans of America President’s Award, the 2004 National Medal of the Arts, the 2008 Jerome Robbins Prize, and a 2008 Kennedy Center Honor. Her many grants include the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Fellowship. She is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Philosophical Society, and an Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
In 1965, Ms. Tharp founded her dance company, Twyla Tharp Dance. Her dances are known for creativity, wit and technical precision coupled with a streetwise nonchalance. By combining different forms of movement – such as jazz, ballet, boxing and inventions of her own making – Ms. Tharp’s work expands the boundaries of ballet and modern dance.
In addition to choreographing for her own company, she has created dances for The Joffrey Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, The Paris Opera Ballet, The Royal Ballet, New York City Ballet, The Boston Ballet, The Mariinsky, Bolshoi Ballet, The Australian Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, The Martha Graham Dance Company, Miami City Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Atlanta Ballet and Royal Winnipeg Ballet. Today, ballet and dance companies around the world continue to perform Ms. Tharp’s works.
Ms. Tharp’s work first appeared on Broadway in 1980 with When We Were Very Young, followed by her collaboration with musician David Byrne on The Catherine Wheel and later by Singin’ in the Rain. In 2002, Ms. Tharp’s dance musical Movin’ Out, set to the music and lyrics of Billy Joel. Ms. Tharp later worked with Bob Dylan’s music and lyrics in The Times They Are A Changin’ and Come Fly With Me, set to songs sung by Frank Sinatra.
In film, Ms. Tharp has collaborated with director Milos Forman on Hair, Ragtime, and Amadeus. She has also worked with Taylor Hackford on White Nights and James Brooks on I’ll Do Anything.
Her television credits include choreographing Sue’s Leg for the inaugural episode of PBS’ Dance In America in 1976, co-producing and directing Making Television Dance, and directing The Catherine Wheel for BBC Television. Ms. Tharp co-directed the television special Baryshnikov by Tharp.
In 1992, Ms. Tharp published her autobiography Push Comes to Shove. She went on to write The Creative Habit: Learn it and Use it for Life, followed by The Collaborative Habit: Life Lessons for Working Together. In 2019, her fourth book was published, Keep It Moving: Lessons for the Rest of Your Life.
Today, Ms. Tharp continues to create.
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets start at $29, at performingartshouston.org or by calling the Performing Arts Houston Box Office at (713) 227-4772. To support the arts and enjoy benefits like early to new performances, access, exclusive pricing, and more, become a Performing Arts Houston member at performingartshouston.org/memberships.
ABOUT PERFORMING ARTS HOUSTON
Performing Arts Houston is a leading non-profit performing arts presenter dedicated to connecting audiences with exceptional artists from around the globe. Founded in 1966, the organization remains committed to advancing artistic innovation, community engagement, and cultural enrichment. With a legacy spanning over five decades, Performing Arts Houston has presented many of the most influential artists of our time.
Each year, Performing Arts Houston presents a multi-disciplinary season of over 60 performances across Houston’s historic Theater District and venues citywide and creates a wide range of programs and opportunities for students and lifelong learners to engage with and experience the arts, including masterclasses, workshops, talks, student matinees, performance avenues for local arts groups, paid arts administration internships, a commissioning series for working Houston artists, and in-school residencies. Learn more at performingartshouston.org.
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CALENDAR DETAILS
Performing Arts Houston
presents
Twyla Tharp Dance
September 28, 2024
Saturday, 7:30 pm
Cullen Theater, Wortham Center
Tickets start at $29
performingartshouston.org
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Caroline Senter, Public Relations Associate
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Phone: 713-632-8105