David Parsons shows us music everyone knows like it’s never been seen before in Shining Star. A suite of dances performed to the timeless songs of Earth, Wind & Fire, the ballet builds around a central duet that celebrates a deep and lasting love. The two lovers are supported and celebrated by the community of dancers who surround them, rejoicing in the beauty and light that radiate from their commitment. Parsons’ playful wit and hopeful spirit meld perfectly with such familiar and uplifting songs as “That’s The Way of the World,” “September,” “Can’t Hide Love,” and “Shining Star.”

For a choreographer who strives to make his ballets widely relevant and appealing, the music of Earth, Wind & Fire was a natural choice. “I’m a universalist. I want audiences, wherever they are, to be able to relate the ballet to their own experiences,” Parsons explains. “I was looking for something that has a worldwide appeal, because I know that the Ailey company tours worldwide. As I was traveling with my company around the world to places like Italy, Seoul and Los Angeles just before I made the work, I asked people what they thought about Earth, Wind & Fire. And I was really excited to find that many, many people around this planet know and have heard and enjoy their music.”

Parsons attributes the global attraction of the music to its positive, uplifting tone. “It’s almost like a celebration,” he says. Their songs are usually about light and love and a commitment to the higher things in life; they are about the beauty of life. “I picked this music because everyone is so aware of the fear in our society nowadays. A lot of decisions are propelled by fear. And I thought that Earth, Wind & Fire would be the perfect group to give people a respite and give them beauty.”

The creation of Shining Star was made possible by a generous gift from Sandy Weill in honor of his wife Joan and her extraordinary commitment and dedication to Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. The title of the ballet refers both to one of the songs incorporated in the work and to the duet that Parsons calls the spine of the piece. “That one central couple represents a mature love that everyone wants to have,” the choreographer elaborates. “We’ve all seen it, with people who are clearly soul mates. If you have someone like that in your life, that person becomes your shining star.”

As always, the Ailey dancers demonstrated their star quality during the creative process of this new ballet. Parsons choreographed the work on his own company, then brought them into the initial Ailey rehearsals. “My dancers went in and taught it one-on-one, in two days. It was a wonderful experience for the dancers,” he raves. “We did it very quickly. The Ailey dancers are fantastic!”

Shining Star was commissioned by Sandy Weill in honor of his wife Joan and her extraordinary commitment and dedication to Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.