Wayne McGregor's First Piece in ABT's Rep Won't Be a Cakewalk

Many choreographers have been defeated by Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring. However, one dancemaker whose stridency, rhythmic daring and sheer inventiveness could possibly match Stravinsky’s is Wayne McGregor. For his first commission from American Ballet Theatre, McGregor has taken on this earth-cracking music in AFTERITE, to premiere at ABT’s Spring Gala. Also on the May 21 gala program are excerpts from Alexei Ratmansky‘s restaging of the comic ballet Harlequinade, the full version of which will premiere next month, and a pièce d’occasion by tapper Michelle Dorrance. May 21–26. abt.org.