BY ELIZABETH ZIMMER | José Limón—whose remarkably resilient dance company celebrates its 75th year with a two-week, two-program season at the Joyce April 19-May 1—was a Mexican painter who fell in love with dance in New York after seeing the German Expressionist dancer Harald Kreuzberg. At 22, he began studying modern technique with pioneering American choreographer Doris Humphrey, who was then a resident of Chelsea. Both Limón and Humphrey died too young—she in 1958, and he in 1972. Their work, together and separately, shaped the direction of modern dance in the 20th century.

Limón Dance Company is now under the direction of former dancer Dante Puleio, only the sixth person to head it since its founder’s death. The Joyce season, opening with Humphrey’s enduring Air for the G String, includes three Limón masterworks and highlights one world premiere in each of two different programs.  The first week (April 19-24) features a new commissioned work, Only One Will Rise, by Olivier Tarpaga (Burkina Faso). On the second bill (April 26-May 1), Mexican choreographer Raúl Taméz offers the world premiere of Migrant Mother, which he describes as “inspired by topics such as migration, indigenous voices, symbolic domination, syncretism in México, and interculturality.”

Call JoyceCharge at 212-242-0800 for $10 tickets. All others (up to $75) can be purchased by clicking here, and in person at the theater’s box office (175 Eighth Ave. at W. 19th St.). *The Joyce is requiring audiences to be fully vaccinated and to wear masks at performance. Click here for full health and safety protocols.

Program 1: Tuesday, April 19- Sunday, April 24
(Tues/Wed 7:30pm; Thurs/Fri 8pm; Sat 2pm & 8pm; Sun 2pm)
Program 2: Tuesday, April 26- Sunday, May 1
(Tues/Wed 7:30pm; Thurs/Fri 8pm; Sat 2pm & 8pm; Sun 2pm)
Curtain Chat: Wed, April 20 / Family Matinee: Sat, April 23 at 2pm

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