Maple Leaf Rag

Photo essay by Natalie Laruccia
January 21, 2003

Choreography by Martha Graham
Costumes by Calvin Klein
Music by Scott Joplin (Elite Syncopations (1902), Bethena (1905) and Maple Leaf Rag (1899) arranged by Chris Landriau)
Orchestrated by Aaron Scherber
Lighting by David Finley

Premiere: October 2, 1990, City Center Theater, New York City

Martha Graham, dubbed "Mirthless Martha" by her musical director Louis Horst, would, when frustrated by a new dance, turn and say "Oh, Louis, play me the Maple Leaf Rag" - the only thing that would cheer her.

Dancers: Tadej Brdnik, Katherine Crockett, Miki Orihara with the Company

The brief preview shown during the photo call suggests that this first season in quite some time of Martha Graham's works will be first rate, both in terms of the choreography and the individual performances. The outstanding quality of the performances on opening night confirmed this suggestion. For more information, see www.marthagrahamdance.org or www.joyce.org. Get your tickets from the Joyce Theater while there are still tickets available.

For more on Martha Graham, read the interview with Ken Topping and the interview with Erica Dankmeyer.