The Mark Morris Dance Group (MMDG) is celebrating its 45th anniversary season in 2026. As part of these celebrations, the company presented New York premieres of two works, "Moon" and "Via Dolorosa," at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) from Thursday to Sunday in late March. The performances also featured the return of "V," a piece from 2001.
MMDG's connection to BAM dates back to 1984 when they first performed there. The MMDG Board Chair, Judith Fishman, highlighted the significance of a single choreographer dance company surviving for 45 years, calling it a "miracle" and referring to Morris as a "genius."
"Moon" is described as playful and timely, aligning with NASA's Artemis II launch, while "Via Dolorosa" is a more somber piece inspired by the stations of the cross, aptly timed for the week leading up to Good Friday and Easter. These New York premieres followed earlier virtual performances for their 40th anniversary, such as "Dance On!: An Evening With Mark Morris Dance Group," which garnered 4,400 registrants.
The dance group has a diverse musical range, from George Gershwin and James P. Johnson to Louis Moreau Gottschalk and Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys. Their repertoire has included works like "Three Preludes," "Pizzica," and "Going Away Party," and they are known for incorporating various musical styles, including American folk, classical, and contemporary. The company has also performed works set to music by Henry Cowell and Lou Harrison, such as "Jenn and Spencer" and "Grand Duo," showcasing their versatility and Morris's unique choreographic style.
