Giordano Dance takes a Gershwin deep dive with a theatrical new work by Emmy winner Al Blackstone

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“Gershwin was passionate about making classical music accessible,” says the choreographer. He wanted “Unconditional” to be just as relatable as a dance piece.

Giordano Dance Chicago returns to the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in April for the jazz company’s biannual series called “Unlimited.” Anchoring the evening is a new one-act work from Emmy-winning director and choreographer Al Blackstone — his first piece with the company.

Blackstone regrets missing an opportunity to attend the Jazz Dance World Congress . And he flirted with the idea of moving to Chicago in his 20s, but it didn’t pan out. When he got the call from artistic director Nan Giordano to create a new work for the company, it was an easy yes. “The mantra of this piece is everything happens for a reason,” said Ueda, now in her third season with the company. It’s a mantra Ueda lives by, having spent much of her first year at Giordano injured.Erina Ueda in a rehearsal of Giordano Dance Chicago’s “Gershwin in B,” March 15, 2024, in Chicago.

It was an unusual commission for the 61-year-old institution. Blackstone was charged with creating a one-act narrative work — a first for Giordano — developed over a months-long residency with the company. A typical premiere gets two weeks. “Unconditional” is joined by revivals of Davis Robertson’s “Entropy,” choreographer Ray Leeper’s “Soul” and the original version of Gus Giordano’s “Sing Sing Sing” to make up the show’s first half. Blackstone’s “Gershwin in B” comprises the entire second act.

 

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