Alastair Macaulay On The Reward And Risk In Ailey’s Choice Of Director

“When it came to picking an artistic director to succeed Judith Jamison, the Ailey company could have easily chosen to turn itself into a heritage troupe – or into one yet more heritage-oriented than it already is. … By naming Robert Battle, however, the company is allowing the recipe to change. … [But can] Mr. Battle – can anyone – emanate positive energy in the industrial quantities that Ms. Jamison delivers?”