The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is known for its powerful storytelling through movement, and its New Works program has recently drawn attention, even if some might consider it less modern by today’s standards. While the program may not always push the boundaries of contemporary dance, it continues to captivate audiences through its deep sense of skill, artistry, and emotional resonance. These performances often reach for something greater—whether it’s spiritual transcendence, a connection to the world, or an exploration of the human heart. One standout piece, Blink of an Eye by Medhi Walerski, is a quiet yet profound work that pairs beautifully with a solo violin arrangement of Bach. The piece features eight dancers who form lines and circles, dissolving into solos and smaller groupings. Their movements mirror the music’s structure, with limbs stretching like violin strings and torsos curving like the instrument’s body. The choreography is precise yet fluid, creating a rare sense of space and beauty that lingers long after the performance ends. Another highlight is Many Angels by veteran choreographer Lar Lubovitch, created in 2024 when he was 81. Set to the emotional and unsettled tones of Mahler’s Symphony No. 5, the piece imagines a kind of celestial realm where dancers form and reform still, frieze-like images against a backdrop resembling a sky full of clouds. The performance is unhurried but builds in intensity, with graceful leaps that seem to float through the air. It’s a piece that whispers of the sublime, even in its stillness. Two other works delve into more personal and introspective themes. Song of the Anchorite by Jamar Roberts follows a solitary figure, played by Yannick Lebrun, on a journey of self-discovery. Wearing a green cloth that symbolizes a key to his inner world, the dancer moves with a mix of struggle and clarity, set to a jazzy adaptation of a Ravel adagio. In contrast, A Case of You, a revival of a 2004 duet by Judith Jamison, is brought to life with passion by Caroline T. Dartey and Christopher Taylor. Their intricate dance of connection and separation, set to a soulful cover of Joni Mitchell’s song by Diana Krall, is rich with emotion and movement. The evening closes with the timeless Revelations, a 1960 masterpiece by Alvin Ailey that continues to resonate with audiences worldwide. This work, rooted in African American spirituals and cultural history, reaches toward the divine, the communal, and the deeply personal. It remains a powerful reminder of the company’s enduring legacy. The performances are running at Sadler’s Wells in London until September 19.