Wielding Power

Compañîa Nacional de Danza
October 16–20
BAM Howard Gilman Opera House, 30 Lafayette Ave., Brooklyn, 718-636-4100
bam.org

In recent years, Spain's pre-eminent troupe has been represented on these shores mainly by its junior company. This fall the varsity team graces BAM with two repertory pieces and one American premiere by its choreographer, Nacho Duato—vivid, sometimes garish dances completing a trifecta of sex, drugs, and castration.

Tanja Ahola

Borrowed Light

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More About

• Christopher Wheeldon
• Danza October
• Kazuo Ohno
• Dance
• Ballet

James Sewell Ballet
October 16–21
Joyce Theater, 175 Eighth Ave., 212-242-0800
joyce.org

This Minneapolis-based troupe has been around nearly two decades, but it's only in its past few visits that Sewell's distinctively imaginative way with the classical idiom has become fully apparent. The ensemble brings a dance to Schoenberg and an interpretation of opera arias during which one performer sings and dances.

American Ballet Theatre
October 23–November 4
City Center, 135 W 55th St., 212-581-1212
nycitycenter.org

In the spring, ABT parades its warhorses at the Met; in the fall, we get new works at City Center. This year, there's a Jorma Elo interpretation of Philip Glass's "Musical Portrait of Chuck Close," complete with sets by . . . Chuck Close, as well as a piece by City Ballet dancer Benjamin Millepied. Among other repertory additions, Merrill Ashley stages the ballet that Balanchine made to show off her speed, Ballo della Regina.

David Neumann/Advanced Beginner Group
October 23–November 3
Dance Theater Workshop, 219 W 19th St., 212-924-0077
dtw.org

A deadpan humorist who uses downtown methods, Neumann crosses a dance performance with an athletic meet in Feed Forward.

Borrowed Light
November 7–8
BAM Howard Gilman Opera House, 30 Lafayette Ave., Brooklyn, 718-636-4100
bam.org

Finnish choreographer Tero Saarinen's stunning treatment of Shaker culture comes to New York. Both austere and vigorous, the stomping, shivering dance works up great spiritual force, especially with the Boston Camerata singing live.

Alvin Ailey American
Dance Theater
November 28–December 31
City Center, 135 W 55th St., 212-581-1212
nycitycenter.org

The new stuff this season isn't much to look forward to: Maurice Béjart's numbingly obvious Firebird and a cliché-ridden strangers-on-a-subway debut by Camille A. Brown. And who knows what to make of Frederick Earl Mosley's Saddle Up!? It's a western. Still, it takes more than lame choreography to stop these dancers from looking like gods.