Desmond Richardson promotes<br/>
Complexions Contemporary Ballet's performances April 21-23<br/>
By Anne-Marie Mulgrew<br/><br/>

After much anticipation, star dancer and co-artistic
director, Desmond Richardson arrived at an Annenberg Center
press conference to promote Complexions Contemporary Ballet's
Dance Celebration April 21-23 engagement. If there was a Masters
green jacket for Dance, Richardson would be the Tiger Wood. The
New York Times states "Mr. Richardson is one of the great modern
dancers of his time- bravura performer with extraordinary skills."
His name has been linked with legendary Russian ballet superstars
- Nijinsky and Nureyev, two of his many heroes alongside of his
mother, Alvin Ailey and John Butler. Richardson admired Nureyev
for his "rawness, sense of theater, elegance and (use of the body as
living) sculpture." In a fated moment, Nureyev saw Richardson
perform at the Paris Opera. It was one of the many highlights in
Richardson's illustrious career. Nureyev took Richardson's hand and
exclaimed "formidable."<br/><br/>

Currently, Richardson is a principal dancer on Broadway in the
Tharp/Joel hit Movin' Out. He sang in the Oscar winning movie
Chicago, was nominated for a Tony for the Broadway musical Fosse
and was featured in Patrick Swayze's film, One Last Dance. At 17, he
toured with Michael Jackson's Budapest Tour, danced in his Bad
video, and later performed with music icons - Prince, Aretha
Franklin and Madonna. He was a featured guest artist in the 71st
Annual Academy Awards and had a major role in Debbie Allen's
Soul Possessed Kennedy Center premiere. For seven years,
Richardson was a principal dancer with the Alvin Ailey American
Dance Theater (AAADT) touring the world, being mentored by Ailey
who taught him versatility, a lifelong lesson he shares with his
dancers. He performed with Ballet Frankfurt, and was a guest artist
with The Swedish Opera Ballet, The Washington Ballet, Teatro at La
Scala, and the San Francisco Ballet.<br/><br/>
In 1994, Richardson and choreographer Dwight Rhoden hailed as
"two of the greatest virtuosos ever to emerge from Aileyland" (New
York Magazine) founded Complexions. Rhoden choreographed 60
ballets for Complexions. He has created works for Alvin Ailey
American Dance Theater, The Arizona Ballet, The Aspen Santa Fe
Ballet, New York City Ballet/Diamond Project Minneapolis Dance
Theater, Phoenix Dance Company, Sacramento Ballet, Oakland
Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theater and The Washington Ballet.
Rhoden's powerful, passionate and physically demanding
choreography has been set on the Pennsylvania Ballet and
Philadanco. His work is built on a classical base, infused with a
modern torso and a fearless spirit. Signature moves include six
o'clock extensions, powerful jumps, multiple turns, risky lifts, and
intimate partnerings.<br/><br/>
While preparing for Complexions first performance at NYC
Symphony Space, Richardson looked around the room and
observed, "There was every shade of skin tone, eyes of many
different colors, and artists of so many artistic backgrounds -
ballet, modern, musical theater. We felt the word ïComplexions'
would best reflect our company's core principle of diversity."
Richardson and Rhoden assembled a star roster of 21 dancers from
Alvin Ailey, Joffrey Ballet, American Ballet Theater and Dance
Theater of Harlem. Under Rhoden's direction, the company has
brought contemporary dance to audiences in America, Europe,
Russia and Australia.<br/><br/>
So enthralled were Philadelphia audiences last season at the
Company's Dance Celebration debut that presenters Dance
Affiliates and Penn Presents invited the company back for an
encore.<br/><br/>
The program features Dwight Rhoden's choreography, Desmond
Richardson in his tour-de-force Solo to Prince's music and Red/The
Force from the full length ballet Anthem with music by Jimi Hendrix,
Depeche Mode and Astor Piazzolla. Premieres include Rhoden's
latest masterpiece Pretty Gritty Suite to 11 songs sung by the "High
Priestess of Soul" Nina Simone and Irreverent Tingle to assorted
music. Complexions has deep roots in Philadelphia from the Alvin
Ailey/Lester Horton bloodline. Company members- Edward Franklin
(who will perform the Opening Solo Pretty Gritty Suite), Lynn Barre
and Jeffrey Polston are Philadanco alumnus. When asked how does
it feel to be back in Philadelphia, Richardson smiled and said "it
feels good, I have family here, an aunt and two cousins who live in
Overbrook."<br/><br/>
Complexions Contemporary Ballet performs on the Dance
Celebration Series, Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 3680
Walnut St., April 21 at 7:30 p.m. April 22 at 8 p.m. April 23 at 2
p.m. and 8 p.m. For tickets- 215-898-3900 or visit
http://www.pennpresents.org.