America’s original jazz dance company returns to its roots with new full-company work.
A 12-year-old Ray Leeper took a deep breath, let his nerves settle, and accepted the hand that eventually ushered him onto the dance floor more than 20 years ago. The now award-winning choreographer (“So You Think You Can Dance,” “America’s Got Talent”) couldn’t have known that such a small gesture would mark the beginning of a long and fruitful bond with one of Chicago’s most notable dance patriarchs, Gus Giordano, founder of Giordano Dance Chicago.
“Ray’s connection with GDC began many years ago when my father pulled Ray up on stage during a workshop at a dance convention,” remembers Nan Giordano, GDC Artistic Director and daughter of the late jazz dance legend. “Since then, our relationship has grown through Ray’s ongoing involvement with GDC’s Jazz Dance World Congress.”
This October, Leeper and GDC take their relationship one step further with the world premiere of “Feelin’ Good Sweet,” a Broadway-inspired full-company work that, according to Nan, “reflects GDC’s identity as America’s original jazz dance company.” The program, taking place at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, also features Israeli-born choreographer Roni Koresh’s edgy and critically acclaimed “EXit4” (2013); former Joffrey principal dancer Davis Robertson’s rhythmically complex “Entropy” (2002); and Jon Lehrer’s “A Ritual Dynamic” (2007).
Leeper’s world premiere marks his first original work for the company, a fact Leeper says was a long time coming.
“I had wanted to create a work for GDC for many years, but we couldn’t find the right time that worked for both our schedules…until now,” Leeper says. “It has been a true pleasure to finally have the opportunity to work with the amazing GDC dancers to create this new work, and I look forward to being in the house in a few weeks when the ‘Feeling Good Sweet’ debuts before the Harris Theater audience.”
Now entering its 52nd year, GDC is one of the longest-running professional dance companies in the Midwest and one of very few dance companies in the U.S. to have achieved such a rare milestone. As the company grows, so does its ever-expanding repertoire. Leeper’s new piece showcases the strong jazz dance technique of 10 Giordano dancers, and brings a unique element of Broadway excitement to the company’s already robust repertoire.
Veteran Chicago choreographer/producer Tony Savino was one of a small group of GDC friends that had the opportunity to preview the new work at a special rehearsal at the Auditorium Theatreof Roosevelt University’s Katten/Landau Studio a couple of weeks ago. In a Q&A with the dancers that followed, he was moved to say, “I hope that you dancers realize the importance of what this company is trying to do…you are bringing the light back into the Chicago concert dance scene.”
Giordano Dance Chicago comes to the Harris Theater for Music and Dance Oct. 24-25 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15-75 and are available at 312-334-7777 or harristheaterchicago.org.
