"Fun and clever" - The New York Times

See the David Parsons premiere of Mr. Withers and more during our Joyce season, running now through March 26, to experience what The New York Times describes as the “freshness” of the entire program, including live music and a new work by Rena Butler, all of which “bring a youthful energy to a company that is approaching 40—one whose co-founder the great lighting designer Howell Binkley died in 2020.  That’s comforting from a group that reliably provides comfort. The shared vision of Binkley and Parsons is still going strong.”

Header photo courtesy of Paula Lobo
Video courtesy of Suspension Productions

20th Anniversary of "Swing Shift" at The Joyce

Swing Shift photo by David Parsons in 2003, its premiere year.

Throughout our upcoming Joyce season, taking place from March 15-26, audiences will not only be treated to two world premieres; they will have the chance to experience Swing Shift, a cherished David Parsons piece built around a series of duets and trios that he describes as “a study of speed and partnering.”  To celebrate the twentieth anniversary of this compelling work, a piano, violin and cello trio, appearing live on evening programs, will perform the original commissioned score created by Juilliard-educated, Oregon-based composer Kenji Bunch. The fervor of the dancing and the jazzy propulsion and “wide emotive appeal” (The New York Times) of Bunch’s music are a perfect match, one that creates what David describes as “just a joyous piece.”