Jon Lehrer creates 1-2 new works per year, keeping the repertory fresh and evolving!
Click on photo to see videos and more pictures!
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A Ritual Dynamic
The work that started it all! “A Ritual Dynamic” was the very first company piece, created to define JLDC's signature combination of artistry, athleticism, and entertainment. 2007 Music: Hovannes K, DJ Disse Lighting - Kam Hobbs Costumes - Cindy Darling Dancers - 8 TRT - 10:00 |
Photo by Kiesha Stephens
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"Surprise landings and tableaux that sliced space into unexpected geometrics kept the
audience on the edge of their seats.” - Dance Magazine
audience on the edge of their seats.” - Dance Magazine
Photo by Kiesha Stephens
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Bridge and Tunnel
Jon’s playful and joyous homage to growing up in Queens, NY - specifically his high school years in Flushing. Originally created on Giordano Dance Chicago while Jon was still in the company, this celebratory work is set to the toe-tapping music of Paul Simon (another Queens native). 2001 Music - Paul Simon Lighting - John Imburgia Costumes - Laura Vanner, after Cindy Darling Dancers - 8 TRT - 12:45 |
"Jon Lehrer's delightful Bridge and Tunnel is a playful hymn to the sidewalks of the outer boroughs.
It's a first rate sample of American vernacular dance, a genre whose distinguished heritage includes
Jerome Robbins's Fancy Free, Agnes DeMille's Rodeo, and Gene Kelley's Singin' in the Rain solo."
- Chicago Reader
It's a first rate sample of American vernacular dance, a genre whose distinguished heritage includes
Jerome Robbins's Fancy Free, Agnes DeMille's Rodeo, and Gene Kelley's Singin' in the Rain solo."
- Chicago Reader
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Cash or Check?
In the 1920’s the phrase ‘Cash or Check?’ was used to ask,"Will you kiss me now or later?" 2014 Music - Moreno Quintet Jazz Manouche, Cab Calloway, Tchan Tchou Vidal, Kahn & Donaldson, Gypsy Jazz Caravan Lighting - Kam Hobbs Costumes - Laura Vanner Dancers - 8 TRT - 15:00 |
Photo by Chad Cooper
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“Cash or Check,” with its high-energy playfulness and period costumes, transports you back to 1920s America. Above all, group members looked as though they were having a blast, as though there
was nowhere else they’d rather be."
- The Buffalo News
was nowhere else they’d rather be."
- The Buffalo News
Photo by Chad Cooper
“Chukchi was a spectacle worthy of Broadway. With a tribal feel, Chukchi was breathtaking. When the lights went down, it drew the loudest applause of the evening, and rightfully so." - The Buffalo News |
Chukchi
In November 2014, the company toured to the Far East of Russia - to a city called Anadyr, in the region of Chukotka. On this tour, which was sponsored by the US Department of State, we were treated to a performance by the State Chukchi-Eskimo Song and Dance Ensemble - Ergryon. Chukchi for sunrise, Ergryon’s performance was awe inspiring. After the performance we spent the entire day together, learning about each others cultures and art forms. They taught us a class that combined ballet technique with their traditional dance forms which celebrate their history and daily lives. We taught them our highly physical and athletic technique and style along with company repertoire. Following our day of cultural exchange, Ergryon's Artistic Director gave us their original music and blessing to utilize and share it with the world. Out of this once in a lifetime experience, “Chukchi” was created. This work is our heartfelt thank you and homage to the beautiful people and culture of Chukotka. 2015 Music - Ergryon Lighting - Kam Hobbs Costumes - Laura Vanner Dancers - 8 TRT - 15:30 |
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Femeie de Lume Romanian for “Woman of the World’. 2014 Music - Giacomelli, Einaudi Lighting - Kam Hobbs Costumes - Laura Vanner Dancers - 5 TRT - 10:45 |
Photo by Jim Bush
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“Like some exalted goddess, dancer Colleen Walsh was carried and attended to by four male dancers who kept her aloft as if up on a never-ending symbolic pedestal. With a potent mixture of strength, grace and sensuality, her skilled performance as the object of worship was a
highlight of the evening."
- The Buffalo News
highlight of the evening."
- The Buffalo News
Photo by Anthony Max
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Foster
Foster is a tribute to Jon's younger brother, Michael Foster Lehrer, who passed away on January 17, 2023 after a 6-year battle with ALS. 2025 Music - The Spooky Men's Chorale Lighting - Eli Medina Costumes - Laura Vanner Dancers - 5 TRT - 16:00 |
“Golden windows project on the upstage wall, accompanied by a heavenly church choir. The dancers walk downstage in this light to chilling and sorrowful effect as their legs give out one by one and they hold each other to provide grounding and support. Foster is a window into those six difficult years, as Jon watched his brother slowly yet too quickly succumb to this horrible disease.
In this work, Lehrer shares his grief in a powerful and intimate way."
- The Dance Enthusiast
In this work, Lehrer shares his grief in a powerful and intimate way."
- The Dance Enthusiast
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Fused by 8
2010 Music - Black Violin Lighting - Kam Hobbs Costumes - Laura Vanner Dancers - 8 TRT - 10:00 “If there is something you can expect from this work, it is that it is going to go somewhere unexpected. This delightful trend is what brought the audience to its feet."
- Dance Source Houston |
Photo by David Evertsen
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Photo by Kiesha Stephens
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Here In This Eden
Completely lost in their love for each other, they are the only two people in the world. 2013 Music - Lisa Gerrard & Pieter Bourke, Balanescu Quartet Lighting - Kam Hobbs Costumes - Cindy Darling Dancers - 2 TRT - 8:15 |
“Almost divine, Here in This Eden was a wonderfully harmonious-dreamy
pas de deux with great charisma.”
- Onetz - Amberg, Germany
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La Follia
The musicality of Vivaldi combined with the athletic ingenuity of JLDC! 2023 Music - Antonio Vivaldi Costumes - Laura Vanner Lighting - Jon Lehrer Dancers - 8 TRT 11:00 |
Photo by Kiesha Stephens
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Photo by Kiesha Stephens
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Loose Canon
A zany comedy inspired by the film “One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest”. 2004 Music - Johann Palchelbel Costumes - Sarah Brazo Lighting - Kam Hobbs Dancers - 5 TRT - 7:30 |
“In Loose Canon, Lehrer's sharp choreography requires honest acting over hapless mugging and
expertly entwines humor and pain" - Chicago Tribune
expertly entwines humor and pain" - Chicago Tribune
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mingos!
A raucous and wild comedic romp set in a classic Las Vegas revue, where a Flamboyance of Flamingos are transformed into an Ostentation of Peacocks! 2023 Music - Banda Ionica, La Caravane Passe, Gogol Bordello, Soviet Suprem Costumes - Laura Vanner Lighting - Eli Medina Dancers - 8 TRT - 15:00 |
Photo by Kiesha Stephens
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“Who knew that multiple flamingos are called a flamboyance and many peacocks an ostentation.
Put them together with 1970’s Vegas-ness and you have this fantastic new piece by Jon Lehrer.
So fun, even the kids were in rapture.”
- Claire Schneider, CS! Projects / Audience Member
Put them together with 1970’s Vegas-ness and you have this fantastic new piece by Jon Lehrer.
So fun, even the kids were in rapture.”
- Claire Schneider, CS! Projects / Audience Member
Photo by Kiesha Stephens
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Murmur
A lyrically infused work based on murmuration and quantum entanglement. 2012 Music - Budo, The Cinematic Orchestra, Grey Reverend Lighting - Kam Hobbs Costumes - Laura Vanner Dancers - 8 TRT - 12:50 |
"A graceful work filled with balletic movement that explores the constant tension
between the individual and the group."- Buffalo News
between the individual and the group."- Buffalo News
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Pantheon Rising
Using science fiction and Greek mythology as inspiration, an epic work about the Gods and Goddesses who created the universe. 2013 Original Music Composition - Damien Simon Lighting - Kam Hobbs Costumes - Cindy Darling & Laura Vanner Dancers - 8 TRT 12:00 |
Photo by Jamie Kraus, Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival
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“The aggressive, hard-driving group choreography of Pantheon Rising blew across the stage like a gale-force wind carrying with it truly heroic figures with the single-minded determination and drive the marvelous company of dancers brings to every work and performance.” - Buffalo News
Photo by Kiesha Stephens
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Pulp
What if Buster Keaton, Quentin Tarantino, and Scooby-Doo made a dance... 2016 Music - Ennio Marricone, James Brown & 2Pac Shakur, Riziero Ortolani, Booket T. & The M.G.’s Lighting - Kam Hobbs Costumes - Laura Vanner Dancers - 8 TRT - 14:05 |
"With a lot of wit and slapstick the dancers take the audience on a crazy journey.
“Pulp" shows that dance theater can be poetic, expressive, and moving.”
- RP-Online - Vieren, Germany
“Pulp" shows that dance theater can be poetic, expressive, and moving.”
- RP-Online - Vieren, Germany
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Sirenic
"Bound by no boundaries, contained by no countries, tamed by no time, she is the force of nature’s course.” - Roman Payne, The Wanderess 2017 Music - DakhaBrakha Lighting - Kam Hobbs Costumes - Laura Vanner Dancers - 4 TRT - 15:00 |
Photo by Gary Emord-Netzley
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“The four women of the company perfectly stage a physical wave with the help of an almost stage-sized, ventilated cloth, reminiscent of the feeling of natural weightlessness.”
- Sudkurier - Villingen, Germany
- Sudkurier - Villingen, Germany
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Solstice
A celebration of all things summer. 2019 Music - Will Close and The Earth Harp Collective, Bertelmann Costumes - Laura Vanner Lighting - Kam Hobbs Dancers - 8 TRT - 9:30 Solstice was commissioned by and created at Artpark in Lewiston, NY for their Summer Solstice Celebration. |
Photo by Kiesha Stephens
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Photo by Kiesha Stephens
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Stand
2022 Music - Regina Spektor Lighting - Jon Lehrer Costumes - Laura Vanner Dancers - 1 TRT - 5:08 |
“Charmingly idiosyncratic tics and fragments of movement that most choreographers would
toss onto the cutting room floor are strung together to tell an odd story about a
dysfunctional family of superheroes."
- Buffalo News
toss onto the cutting room floor are strung together to tell an odd story about a
dysfunctional family of superheroes."
- Buffalo News
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SuperZeroes
A dysfunctional family of superheroes just trying to cope with each other. 2010 Music - Bellstedt, Rigolleto, Dvorak, Bach, Sibelius Costumes - Jon Lehrer Lighting - Kam Hobbs Dancers - 5 TRT - 11:00 |
Photo by Luz
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Photo by Rhea Anna
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The Alliance
A group of warriors prepare for battle, relying on their individual strengths as well as their strength in numbers. 2011 Music - YACHT, No Zu, Iva Nova Lighting - Kam Hobbs Costumes - Cindy Darling Dancers - 8 TRT - 12:30 |
“A tour de force of creativity and a stunning piece of work.”
- The Buffalo News
- The Buffalo News
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Through The Storm
Through The Storm represents the two years of struggle, hardship, but most of all the creativity and perseverance artists held on to throughout the pandemic. 2022 Original Music Composition - Zeno Pittarelli Lighting - Andrew Hunt Costumes - Laura Vanner Dancers - 8 TRT - 13:30 |
Photo by Steven Pisano
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Through The Storm was developed with the support of a 2022 CUNY Dance Initiative residency at Gerald W. Lynch Theater at John Jay College.
Photo by Kiesha Stephens
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Troika
A male trio that examines trust, brotherhood, and the power of three. 2016 Music - Goldmund, Michael Nyman Lighting - Kam Hobbs Costumes - Jessica Wegrzyn Dancers - 3 TRT - 11:00 |
“The dancers brilliantly implement the scenic ingenuity of Jon Lehrer. They use the entire stage space, develop a dynamic of movement that makes tension-filled sequences and abrupt stops,
and show how well they master their body balance.”
- Sudkurier - Villingen, Germany
and show how well they master their body balance.”
- Sudkurier - Villingen, Germany
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Volt
A high octane thrill ride that puts JLDC's signature blend of artistry, athleticism, and entertainment on full display. 2024 Music - James Asher, Pablo Samonta, Rhythm Scott, Baptiste Thiry, Damen Deshayes Lighting - Eli Medina Costumes - Laura Vanner Dancers - 6 TRT - 9:14 |
Photo by Allison Armfield
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“Bright white, shattered lights glare as the dancers attack staccato movement with geometric
port de bras, deep lunges, and angular suspensions. Dancer Mahalia Brookes is an immediate standout, charging across the stage during her solo with incredible control and tenacity.
Between the choreography and costuming of silver and black unitards, Volt feels like a
powerful engine gearing up for a race.”
- The Dance Enthusiast
port de bras, deep lunges, and angular suspensions. Dancer Mahalia Brookes is an immediate standout, charging across the stage during her solo with incredible control and tenacity.
Between the choreography and costuming of silver and black unitards, Volt feels like a
powerful engine gearing up for a race.”
- The Dance Enthusiast
