(PRINCETON, NJ) -- McCarter Theatre Center presents the Mark Morris Dance Group: Dances to American Music on Saturday, May 30, 2026 at 7:30pm in the Matthews Theatre. This is a vibrant celebration of the rich tapestry of American music and dance.
Featuring choreography by the legendary Mark Morris, this dynamic program includes Going Away Party (music by Bob Wills), Three Preludes (music by George Gershwin), Northwest (music by John Luther Adams), and You’ve Got to be Modernistic (music by James P. Johnson). Mark Morris has captivated global audiences with his profound humanity, humor, and the unique ability to fuse live music and dance into an experience that transcends the ordinary.
Program (subject to change)
Going Away Party (Music: Bob Wills): a high-energy, country-western-inspired work that blends playful humor and emotional depth, set to a lively mix of classic songs.
Northwest (Music: John Luther Adams): A dynamic and contemporary exploration of Yup’ik and Athabascan rhythmic traditions, embodying the spirit of community.
Intermission
Three Preludes (Music: George Gershwin): A solo showcasing Gershwin’s jazzy elegance and rhythmic brilliance.
You’ve Got To Be Modernistic (Music: James P. Johnson): An homage to Johnson’s role as a pioneer of jazz and stride piano.
Tickets range from $44-$97 and are available for purchase online. McCarter Theatre Center is located at 91 University Place in Princeton, New Jersey.
The mission of the Mark Morris Dance Group is to develop, promote, and sustain dance, music, and opera productions by Mark Morris and to serve as a cultural resource to engage and enrich the community. Propelled by Core Values of community, access, excellence, and creativity, MMDG is committed to ongoing work on inclusion, equity, and diversity to ensure its programs are welcoming and accessible to all.
McCarter is one of the country’s flagship theaters and a vibrant center for community and the performing arts. Located on the campus of Princeton University, the company is an independent nonprofit, serving as a nationally renowned, multi-disciplinary creative hub for arts and ideas, offering theatre, music, dance, spoken word, and educational programs for all ages. A two-time Tony Award winner, McCarter’s legacy of artistic excellence dates back to the theatre’s first performances in 1930. Thornton Wilder’s Our Town, Kaufmann & Hart’s You Can’t Take It with You, and William Inge’s Bus Stop all had their premieres on the McCarter stage, paving the way for a long history of collaborations with playwrights to launch remarkable works that have gone on to tens of thousands of performances, reaching millions of audience members around the world.
The company is equally revered for presenting global artists on its stages, including Alvin Ailey, Yo-Yo Ma, Samara Joy, Hasan Minhaj, Jon Stewart, Caetano Veloso, Rhiannon Giddens, Patti Smith, Esperanza Spalding, Lake Street Dive, and Herbie Hancock, among many others. Of the 100,000 community members who directly participate in the company’s work every year, more than 5,000 are students taking part in McCarter’s robust educational offerings in Princeton, Trenton, and schools throughout the region. McCarter leads with values of “justice and joy, and beauty in belonging,” creating stories and experiences that enliven minds, expand imaginations, and engage communities.
