The Lost Dances of Paul Taylor

""It took us two hours of research for every minute of dance," Michael Novak said. "But, eventually, we figured it out.""

""Tablet" is a duet with a commedia-dell'arte feel. The dancers wear face paint and color-block unitards, designed by Ellsworth Kelly."

""Churchyard," a more complex piece, is one of Taylor's explorations of false piety and the violence and grotesquerie that lie beneath."

"The current dancers work with those from a previous era; they get to perform Taylor works that, though old, feel new."

The Paul Taylor Dance Company is revitalizing two of Paul Taylor's works from the 1960s, "Tablet" and "Churchyard," for a week-long performance at the Joyce. This revival entails a significant amount of research, with dancers spending two hours for each minute of choreography. This process not only helps in reconstructing the pieces but also offers a fresh experience for both the current dancers and the audience. The unique styles of both dances present a blend of nostalgic themes and novel interpretations, allowing for an exploration of contrasting natures and the evolution of dance.

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