A legendary collaboration between renowned choreographer Alvin Ailey and musical genius Duke Ellington, The River celebrates birth, life and rebirth. Ailey’s choreographic allegory combines modern dance, Classical ballet and Jazz to convey the mutability of water on its voyage to the sea — much like the journey of life. The River “shows Mr. Ailey at his inventive best,” declared The New York Times.

A collaboration between renowned choreographer Alvin Ailey and a musical genius Duke Ellington, The River is a celebration of birth, life and rebirth. The choreography combines classical ballet, modern dance and jazz to convey the mutability of water as it rushes down rapids or meanders through shaded rock pools on its course to the sea, a fitting allegory for the journey of life. The River was originally commissioned by American Ballet Theatre in 1970.