Benjamin Millepied will take LA Dance Project to Israel this October. The troupe will perform the French choreographer’s creations, as well as work by Martha Graham at the Suzanne Dellal Center.
Normally such a booking would go unnoticed outside of dance circles. However, in April Millepied’s wife Natalie Portman refused to travel to Israel to accept the 2018 Genesis Prize.
Portman, who has dual American-Israeli citizenship, cited recent events in the country as her reason for not travelling. While continuing to support Israel, she indicated that accepting the prize would condone the actions of prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It is unclear what her stance is on Millepied’s trip or whether she will join him.
Millepied, who left Paris Opera in 2015, will see his Orpheus Highway and Bach Studies (Part 1) performed by the troupe, alongside Graham’s Martha Graham Duets. The performances are scheduled for 8-10 August, with an after-show talk on the first night.