Duet choreographed by Fil-Am dancer Elizabeth Roxas-Dobrish premieres at Alvin Ailey Theater
Photo by Ernest S. Mandap from Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater/alvinailey.org
The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, founded by Alvin Ailey in 1958, is a dance company known for its diverse and emotionally powerful choreography. For its 65th anniversary season, the company is highlighting iconic performances and premiering two new works.
Among them, the spotlight shone brightly on “Me, Myself and You,” a duet choreographed by the Filipina-American dancer Elizabeth Roxas-Dobrish.
The duet was the opening act of the Dec. 16 show, captivating the audience with its emotive choreography set to the soulful melodies of Duke Ellington, skillfully arranged by Damien Sneed.
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In their program notes, the company described the dance as a powerful exploration of “memories of love and passion.”
The narrative unfolds as a woman grapples with the decision to either let go of the past or forge ahead into an uncertain future.
Fil-Am Roxas-Dobrish’s deep connection to the piece emanates from her extensive experience and understanding of the art form.
Born in Manila, Elizabeth Roxas-Dobrish made history as the first Filipina member of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, where she held the position of principal dancer from 1984 to 1997.
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At the age of 11, she joined Ballet Philippines, and by 15, she had already made a significant mark in the company. Ailey was among the dance companies back then that visited the country to perform at the Cultural Center.
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“Me, Myself and You” is set to embark on a US tour, bringing its evocative storytelling and choreography to 22 cities. However, tickets for the Alvin Ailey New York City Center 2023 Season are available until Dec. 31.
