A collaboration among legends, THE DAY is a new music/dance work by cellist Maya Beiser, beloved dancer Wendy Whelan, iconoclastic choreographer Lucinda Childs, and Pulitzer Prize winning composer David Lang. A New York premiere, this momentous melding of multi-genre creative genius comes in an evening-long sensory exploration of two journeys—life and the eternal, post-mortal voyage of the soul. THE DAY is a bold and highly collaborative work that explores universal themes through the shared language of music and dance.

Renowned avant-grade cellist Maya Beiser, who conceived the piece, has been described by the Boston Globe as “a force of nature” and by Rolling Stone as a “cello rock star." Wendy Whelan, widely considered one of the world’s leading dancers, spent 30 years as a principal dancer with New York City Ballet and originated numerous roles in new works by the world's most esteemed choreographers. The two will be onstage all evening, embodying the iconic choreography of Lucinda Childs (a Commandeur in France’s Ordre des Arts et des Lettres and 2018 inductee in Hall of Fame at the National Museum of Dance) to the original music of Pulitzer Prize-winner David Lang. 

Curtain Chat: Wed, Oct 23

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Photo by Nils Schlebusch

Funding Credits

Lead support for The Joyce’s presentation of THE DAY provided by Virginia and Timothy Millhiser.  Underwriting support provided by Melanie Coronetz and Bruce G. Miller.  Support for live music provided by Michael Sekus and Bianca Russo; and Ed Petrou, in loving memory of Rachel Petrou.  The presentation of THE DAY was made possible by the New England Foundation for the Arts' National Dance Project, with lead funding from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. 

The Day was supported, in part, by the Inaugural Artist Fellowship at The Joyce’s Artist Residency Center, made possible by lead funding from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Howard Gilman Foundation, LuEsther T. Mertz Charitable Trust, and Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. Additional commissioning support was provided by the Wendy Whelan New Works Initiative.