Sometimes it Snows in April (from Billboards)

Overview

Conceived and Directed by Gerald Arpino

Choreography - Laura Dean

 

The concept for Billboards was developed by Gerald Arpino, who was always intrigued by the powerful billboard imagery that he saw as he traveled throughout America while touring with The Joffrey Ballet. Some of the billboards were so striking as to attain the status of American folk art and, especially in locales like the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles, Mr. Arpino felt it was like being in a wonderful outdoor art gallery.

 

When Prince was inspired to compose music for The Joffrey after he attended his first ballet during the 1991 Los Angeles season, Mr. Arpino saw a way to bring his concept of Billboards to the stage. Mr. Arpino envisioned a full-length, abstract work that would unite the scope and breadth of Prince's music with the sweep and dynamism of four innovative modern choreographers who had all worked previously with the company: Laura Dean, Charles Moulton, Peter Pucci, and Margo Sappington. The stylized billboard designs of Herbert Migdoll, the dramatic costumes of Charles Atlas, Christine Joly, and Rosemarie Worton all contribute to the Billboards reflections on our society. The final element in producing Billboards was the contribution of Hancher Auditorium at The University of Iowa, which helped support the creation of the ballet with funding and technical resources.

 

Billboards was featured in PBS' "Dance in America" program in 1994.

 

Music - Prince, in collaboration with Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman

Lighting Design - Howell Binkley

Costume Design - Rosemarie Worton (from original concept by Laura Dean)

 

WORLD (AND JOFFREY) PREMIERE: January 27, 1993, Joffrey Ballet, Hancher Auditorium, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa

Performed in: 2006 (Cool Vibrations), 2007 Touring (Wharton Center for Performing Arts, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Benedum Center), 2007 Iowa Tour (Western Gateway Park, Bayliss Park, Weed Park, Brucemore, Hancher Green), 2007 (Millennium Park), 2008 (Centre East, Skokie, IL)

 

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Conceived and Directed by Gerald Arpino

Choreography - Laura Dean

 

The concept for Billboards was developed by Gerald Arpino, who was always intrigued by the powerful billboard imagery that he saw as he traveled throughout America while touring with The Joffrey Ballet. Some of the billboards were so striking as to attain the status of American folk art and, especially in locales like the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles, Mr. Arpino felt it was like being in a wonderful outdoor art gallery.

 

When Prince was inspired to compose music for The Joffrey after he attended his first ballet during the 1991 Los Angeles season, Mr. Arpino saw a way to bring his concept of Billboards to the stage. Mr. Arpino envisioned a full-length, abstract work that would unite the scope and breadth of Prince's music with the sweep and dynamism of four innovative modern choreographers who had all worked previously with the company: Laura Dean, Charles Moulton, Peter Pucci, and Margo Sappington. The stylized billboard designs of Herbert Migdoll, the dramatic costumes of Charles Atlas, Christine Joly, and Rosemarie Worton all contribute to the Billboards reflections on our society. The final element in producing Billboards was the contribution of Hancher Auditorium at The University of Iowa, which helped support the creation of the ballet with funding and technical resources.

 

Billboards was featured in PBS' "Dance in America" program in 1994.

 

Music - Prince, in collaboration with Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman

Lighting Design - Howell Binkley

Costume Design - Rosemarie Worton (from original concept by Laura Dean)

 

WORLD (AND JOFFREY) PREMIERE: January 27, 1993, Joffrey Ballet, Hancher Auditorium, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa

Performed in: 2006 (Cool Vibrations), 2007 Touring (Wharton Center for Performing Arts, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Benedum Center), 2007 Iowa Tour (Western Gateway Park, Bayliss Park, Weed Park, Brucemore, Hancher Green), 2007 (Millennium Park), 2008 (Centre East, Skokie, IL)