A passionate and enthusiastic dance lover with other interests in books, theater, music and architecture. I have served as the director of the docent program at the New York City Ballet. I am interested in all facets of dance, and do not limit myself to only one dance brand, as I call it. This encompasses ballet, modern, folk and whatever else there is. Call me eclectic.
BWW Reviews: John Cranko's ONEGIN at American Ballet Theatre May 20, 2013
John Cranko's Onegin was recently presented by American Ballet Theatre. As I expected, the reviews weren't great. It seems Cranko never commands much respect over here. The reviews all describe the work in the same way: empty, boring, sleep-inducing. But I don't agree. Sure, the ballet could be shortened, but aren't there many ballets like that. One thing it does offer: wonderful acting parts for dancers.
BWW Remembers: Frederick Franklin, June 13, 1914 - May 4, 2013 May 7, 2013
It is with great sadness that we report Frederick Franklin's death at age 98. One of the most elegant, charming and seemingly versatile male ballet stars of the 20th century, and into the 21st, Franklin brought real class to whatever he was performing. He danced with almost every major ballerina, and had works choreographed for him by Balanchine, Massine and de Mille, among a host of others.
BWW Reviews: Ballet in Cinema from Emerging Pictures Presents ESMERALDA April 25, 2013
Being a student of history is enlightening. You can learn about so many new things that may, or may not, be of interest .I felt that way about Esmeralda. I've heard about it. I know there's an Esmeralda variation that's sometimes done at competitions. But it's gone beneath my radar. So, with a great deal of trepidation, I went to see the Ballet in Cinema from Emerging Pictures film on April 22. After watching the performance, transmitted from the Bolshoi Ballet, in what is billed as a new production, I can understand the reason for the ballet's infrequent showings.
BWW Reviews: Juilliard Dances Repertory April 16, 2013
The Juilliard School presented an interesting program on the afternoon of April 7, 2013, at the Peter Jay Sharp Theatre. Before I even start my review , I want to extend my congratulations to Lawrence Rhodes, the Juilliard Artistic Director, for his commitment and dedication in producing, what is in my mind, some of the best graduate dancers I have ever seen-and I've seen many of them over the years. These dancers are what we need in our artistic venues, whether as performers, or, as I hope, future administrators, teachers and choreographers. Time will tell. My only problem: will there be enough places for the dancers when they graduate? I hope so. When you scrutinize highly gifted college artists, you want them to exit, blazing and seething with their talent, ready to change the artistic world around them. By their ardor and enthusiasm, they only help to reinforce our country's need for greater commitment to the arts, which is sorely lacking and much needed. Mr. Rhodes, keep up the splendid work. I'm always watching your dancers.
BWW Remembers: Maria Tallchief--January 24, 1925 - April 11, 2013 April 13, 2013
Maria Tallchief, the first Native American to win acclaim as a prima ballerina, passed away on April 11, 2013. While she worked with many companies and choreographers, she is most renowned for her collaboration with George Balanchine, first at The Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo and then, most importantly and famously, at the New York City Ballet. She was married to Balanchine from 1946 until 1952 when the marriage was annulled. Despite this interruption in their private lives they continued their professional association.
BWW Interviews: Lar Lubovitch of Lar Lubovitch Dance Company April 13, 2013
One of America's most versatile, popular and highly acclaimed choreographers, Lar Lubovitch leads the Lar Lubovitch Dance Company in New York City, which he founded 44 years ago. Lubovitch's dances are renowned for their musicality, rhapsodic style and sophisticated formal structures.
BWW Interviews: Tiffany Rea Fisher April 11, 2013
Tiffany Rea Fisher is the Associate Artistic Director of the Elisa Monte Dance. She received her BFA from the Conservatory of Dance at Purchase College SUNY, where she co-founded ForArts, the school's first interdisciplinary presenting organization, which provided opportunities for students from different conservatories to create collaborative works.
BWW Reviews: Ballet in Cinema from Emerging Pictures Presents 'La fille mal gardee' April 10, 2013
It wasn't until Frederick Ashton undertook a new creation of the ballet that it finally became an international hit. He referred to it as his 'poor man's Pastorale,' a lovely reference to Beethoven's symphony where things go from simplicity to thunderstorms and back to normalcy and contentment with the world. He commissioned The Royal Opera House conductor, John Lanchberry, to orchestrate a new score that, while recalling French culture and manners (it did begin as a French ballet after all), is firmly rooted in an English sensibility
|