Choreographer Sonya Tayeh has created a new dance work titled "The Surge," inspired by the life and art of Irish singer-songwriter Sinead O’Connor, who passed away in 2023 at the age of 56. The piece, which premieres Wednesday at the Joyce Theater in New York City, incorporates songs and spoken excerpts from O’Connor’s 2021 autobiography, "Rememberings," exploring themes rooted in the late artist’s experiences with grief, spirituality, identity, and emotional turmoil.
Tayeh, a Tony Award-winning choreographer known for her work on "Moulin Rouge! The Musical," conceived "The Surge" in response to O’Connor’s sudden death. Reflecting on her reaction, Tayeh described a powerful vision of women in motion, which became the foundation of the project. She first encountered O’Connor’s music during her teenage years growing up in Detroit, where she was active in the underground music and dance scene. Tayeh credits O’Connor’s work as a lasting influence and "power tether" throughout her life.
The choreographer’s professional background spans commercial and concert dance, with collaborations ranging from television shows like "So You Think You Can Dance" to theatrical productions and companies such as the Martha Graham Dance Company. When discussions with the Joyce Theater about a new piece were underway, Tayeh found inspiration after O’Connor’s passing to develop a work that would reflect their personal connection.
"The Surge" was co-produced by the Joyce Theater and Factory International, the arts organization behind the Manchester International Festival in England, where the piece premiered in June to favorable reviews. Securing rights to O’Connor’s music was a considerable part of the process, but Tayeh was able to obtain clearance for most of her selections, with assistance from O’Connor’s first husband and music producer, John Reynolds.
The choreography features 14 songs drawn mainly from O’Connor’s first four albums, emphasizing the period when Tayeh first encountered the artist’s music. The chosen repertoire encompasses both well-known and more subdued tracks, reflecting O’Connor’s range and recurring engagement with spirituality and personal questioning.
In casting, Tayeh specifically sought dancers over 40 to embody the work’s themes. The audition in New York City attracted about 70 women, including one in her 80s, demonstrating a strong desire among mature dancers to participate. Ultimately, 11 dancers aged from their early 40s to late 60s joined the company, bringing a depth of life experience that informed the creative process. Dancers noted the collaborative environment fostered by Tayeh, one that encouraged honesty, exploration, and emotional resonance with the material.
The performance opens with a dimly lit stage and O’Connor’s voice describing her first encounter with the piano, followed by the dancers moving pews across the stage to various songs. The choreography traverses themes of spiritual struggle, identity, grief, joy, and rage, encapsulating key aspects of O’Connor’s complex persona.
Commentators familiar with O’Connor’s impact point to her uncompromising public presence and activist stance on issues such as women’s rights, racial justice, and LGBTQ+ advocacy as central to her lasting influence. Tayeh emphasizes that "The Surge" is not a literal biography but rather a deeply personal expression of her connection to O’Connor’s work and spirit.
Describing the project as a love letter, Tayeh expressed her intent for the piece to serve as an enduring tribute to O’Connor’s legacy through the medium she knows best—dance.