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In September 1978, the Merce Cunningham Dance Company had
its first two-week season at the New York City Center
Theater. This became a nearly annual event, usually in the month
of March, with sixteen two-week seasons from 1978 to 1995, plus a one-week
season in 2001. Over the years, Merce and his company gave more
than 200 performances at the theater, presenting close to 70 different
dances, including 23 world premieres.
Helen Barrow (MCDC 1982-1993) performed in ten
seasons at City Center. She shares these memories:
Our City Center seasons coincided with St Patrick’s
Day. After class in the morning, we would go to the theater on
the subway. You would see the police, parade-goers and other revelers who
were already feeling no pain. Walking through the stage door changed the
tone to another kind of passion; the history emanated from the walls and
stage itself.
On performance days we would do a full run through of the
program and sometimes another piece after that if it was going to be
premiered later in the week. Other dancers from other companies
would voice their surprise at that. “You do
what?” Merce’s voice would start us off with “Position, ready,
curtain,” then we would hear the stopwatch click. Afterwards he would
click off the stopwatch, enter the time, then ask “Anything in the 1st
section?” People would chime in or not. Read more
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