Cherylyn Lavagnino Dance returns to New York City with “The Winter’s Tale,” a compelling evening-length work that seamlessly blends dance, theater, and live music. This evocative production highlights the company’s signature approach: a dynamic interplay between expressive choreography and an original live score.

Set to music by acclaimed composer Martin Bresnick and performed each evening by a live chamber ensemble, “The Winter’s Tale” draws inspiration from William Shakespeare’s late play of the same name. The work explores themes of jealousy, betrayal, loss, and ultimately forgiveness, unfolding through a richly layered movement language that is both emotionally resonant and visually striking.

At the heart of the story is King Leontes, whose baseless jealousy leads to the unraveling of his family—resulting in imprisonment, loss, and exile. Sixteen years later, a story of renewal emerges as his abandoned daughter, Perdita, falls in love and unknowingly reconnects the fractured past. The narrative culminates in one of Shakespeare’s most powerful moments of reconciliation, here reimagined through movement and music.

Choreographer Cherylyn Lavagnino brings a distinctive voice to this timeless tale, fusing classical ballet technique with contemporary dance forms. Her work incorporates gesture-based movement influenced by sign language, creating a nuanced physical vocabulary that deepens the emotional impact of the piece. Performed by a company of twelve dancers, the choreography moves fluidly between intimate exchanges and sweeping ensemble passages, capturing both personal and collective transformation.