Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is marking 50 years since its first Boston performance in 1968, hosted now as then by the Celebrity Series of Boston. They are appearing at the Boch Center Wang Theater until Sunday, March 25, bringing varied programs to each performance.

Opening night was about as good as it gets, with four strong pieces highlighting the unique style which has made the Ailey company such an enduring, enlightening American treasure. The curtain opened to the world premiere of "Members Don't Get Weary," choreographed by long-time company dancer Jamar Roberts. The shades of blue worn by the ten dancers reflected the music of the renowned jazz musician John Coltrane. The initial tableau of dancers with outstretched hands and round flat hats that hid their hair and faces, led to a stunning use of rise and fall, with complicated floor-work. When one of their members seems to faint and is unable to dance, the other nine throw aside their hats and join him on the floor. In this show of solidarity, their individuality is revealed. We see them from head to foot for the first time. Empathy has brought on this transparency.

In the second scene, their energy ramps up, as the nine dance in varied combinations. They continue to use all the space, from upright spins faster than my eyes could see, to full-body spins on the floor. The background has become a silver fog out of which the dancers appear and recede like magic. At the end, the audience - many of whom are long-time fans of this company with its strong Boston connection - explode in rapturous applause.

Twyla Tharp's "The Golden Section" lightens the mood with smiling rhythmic movements that bring a sassy and athletic feeling to the stage. Thirteen dancers dressed in gold under an infusion of golden light perform playfully as they toss each other around in clever lifts to music by David Byrne, the principal member of the new wave band Talking Heads (1975-91). Most of the men are shirtless and boxing shorts are the main costume motif. There is a lot of dancing backward, reminiscent of how Muhammed Ali danced in the ring. At the very end, despite a lowered tone in the music, a single woman dancer maintains the energy. "The Golden Section" is both whimsical and muscular.

When Nina Simone's voice opens the third piece with "Wild is the Wind," we know we are in for an emotional work about trying to hang on to love. Danced, solo, with extraordinary depth by Samuel Lee Roberts to choreography by Robert Battle, the flexed feet and movements made awkward by pain take us to an uncomfortable place. His torso twists and his face contorts as Simone sings:

Like a leaf clings
To the tree
Oh, my darling,
Cling to me
For we're like creatures
Of the wind
Wild is the wind
Wild is the wind

At the conclusion, many jump to their feet in tribute to this gripping work.

Finally, the company performs "Revelations" by Alvin Ailey, as they will do in every show this weekend in Boston. This 1960 iconic dance was first seen by Boston audiences, this reviewer included, in their initial appearance 50 years ago, and revisited many times since. The soundtrack of African-American spirituals has become embedded in American culture; the visuals of this tour de force of dance theater - from the fans to the stools to the southern Sunday hats to the waving lengths of blue material during "Wade in the Water" - have long become symbolic of all things Alvin Ailey.

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has been thrilling Boston dance lovers for 50 years and they have never been more accomplished or more relevant than they are right now.

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater continues through March 25 at the Boch Center Wang Theater, 270 Tremont Street, Boston, MA. For tickets and more information, visit the Celebrity Series of Boston website.