Wolf Trap Farm,
June 29, 1999
The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago
returned to the Washington D.C.
area this year, with an evening of mixed Repertory at Wolf Trap Farm,
which included three ballets by Gerald Arpino and a world premiere by
Chicago choreographer Randy Duncan entitled Kay’s
Lilt.
“The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago
is truly honored to be returning to Wolf Trap and to perform the world
premiere of Randy Duncan’s Kay’s
Lilt commissioned by The Wolf Trap Foundation and dedicated to
Catherine (Kay) Filene Shouse, who gave Wolf Trap, her family’s farm, to
our nation as a National Performing Arts Center,”
stated Gerald Arpino.
“From the beginning, Wolf Trap
and The Joffrey have been closely linked.
Kay Shouse, a dear, loving friend and mentor to Robert Joffrey and
myself, invited The Joffrey to be the first ballet company to perform at
Wolf Trap during its inaugural season in 1971.
This season marks The Joffrey’s 14th engagement at
Wolf Trap.”
Programming for the evening at
Wolf Trap was Gerald Arpino’s Viva
Vivaldi, Sea Shadow and Light Rain, along with the world premiere of Randy Duncan’s Kay’s
Lilt. Kay’s Lilt
is an ensemble work for twenty dancers set to the music of Elton John
and Ira Antelis.
“Kay’s
Lilt marks the fifth ballet I have created for The Joffrey Ballet, and
I am pleased that this work will honor the spirit of Wolf Trap’s
glorious benefactor, Catherine Filene Shouse,” stated Randy Duncan.