After an interminable winter, we’ve finally reached spring — “Appalachian Spring.” Martha Graham’s all-American dance of pioneers and preachers pushing into a new land, now marking its 70th birthday, is the highlight of her company’s City Center season, running March 19-22. Aaron Copland’s expansive music, evoking the limitless frontier of a young nation, is unforgettable — and so is the company’s breakout star, Lloyd Mayor.
Mayor stepped into Mikhail Baryshnikov’s silver high heels last year — at age 19 — playing a gender-bending Achilles with amazing maturity and charisma. Not only did he win the Clive Barnes Award this year, but he’ll fill another pair of big shoes this season: those of Erick Hawkins, the legendary dancer who played Graham’s husband in “Appalachian Spring” — and, later, in real life, too.
The Husbandman, as he’s called, is the strong, silent type: He surveys the land on horseback and prays with his wife. “He has to be a man of action but he’s a great listener,” says Mayor, who dances the role March 22.
In addition, European choreographers Nacho Duato and Andonis Foniadakis are creating works for the group in their own styles far from Graham’s. Wednesday and Friday, Mayor dances a lead in Foniadakis’ “Echo,” which takes its topic from Greek myth.
“Last year I was Achilles and this year I’m Narcissus — and both of them are vain and shallow,” Mayor says, laughing. “I’m not at all like that in real life!”
Details and tickets at nycitycenter.org, 212-581-1212.
Here’s who else is on the boards this spring:
Stephen Petronio Company
Stephen Petronio has stayed ahead of the curve in post-modern dance ever since his troupe began, three decades ago. For this, its 30th anniversary season, it offers a new piece, “Locomotor,” with a score by electronic hip/hop producer Clams Casino (a k a Mike Volpe). Petronio himself is dancing a solo, “Stripped,” wearing something designed by artist Janine Antoni that’s less a costume than “a kind of set design,” says company member Josh Green.
April 8-13; joyce.org, 212-242-0800.
New York City Ballet
New York City Ballet kicks off its season with a week of 21st-century choreographers. Expect the big guns — Alexei Ratmansky and Christopher Wheeldon among them — but the biggest splash may well be a piece created for the occasion by French artist JR featuring Memphis dance sensation Lil Buck.
April 29 to June 8; nycballet.com, 212-496-0600.
American Ballet Theatre
While NYCB promises guest choreographers, American Ballet Theatre is all about guest stars — two ballerinas, in particular. English National Ballet’s Alina Cojocaru is unparalleled in the classics for the detail in her dancing and acting. Look for her performing in “La Bayadère” May 24. Maria Kochetkova, who’s based in San Francisco, has the same crystalline delicacy, but one that masks an iron core. She’ll take on the bravura stunts of “Don Quixote” on May 15.
May 12 to July 5; abt.org, 212-362-6000.