Errand into the Maze

Photo essay by Natalie Laruccia
January 21, 2003

Choreography and costumes by Martha Graham
Music by Gian Carlo Menotti
Set by Isamu Noguchi
Original lighting by Jean Rosenthal
Adapted by Beverly Emmons

Premiere: February 18, 1947, Ziegfeld Theatre, New York City

Errand into the Maze takes as its inspiration the myth of Ariadne and the Minotaur. Martha Graham took this Greek myth as her symbol of the conquering of fear. There is an errand into the maze of the heart's darkness in order to face and do battle with the Creature of Fear. There is the accomplishment of the errand, the instant of triumph, and the emergence from the dark.

Dancers: Fang Yi Sheu and Martin Lofsnes

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. 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.