Beginning January 6, I’m planning to go to the New York City Ballet a lot. I haven’t gone to the NYCB a lot in years. My attendance started falling off after Balanchine’s death in 1983, because, without the man there—as creator, coach, teacher, and all ‘round inspirational force—performances of his ballets deteriorated, slowly but inexorably. […]
CARRYING ON
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater / City Center, NYC / December 3, 2003 – January 4, 2004 Time was, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, 45 years old this season, specialized in dances with humanitarian themes. Created largely by Ailey and a handful of other black choreographers working in the same vein, this repertory took […]
ICONOCLASTIC BEAUTY
Shocking! The Art and Fashion of Elsa Schiaparelli: Philadelphia Museum of Art / September 28, 2003 – January 4, 2004 Musée de la Mode et du Textile, Paris / March 17 – August 29, 2004
UP IN THE AIR
Dayton Contemporary Dance Company / BAM: Harvey Theater / December 9-13, 2003 Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (DCDC to its friends) has been celebrating its 35th birthday and the 100th anniversary of the Ohio-born Wright Brothers’ first successful launch into space with “The Flight Project.” Comprising five commissioned works (from Bill T. Jones, Bebe Miller, Dwight […]
New York City Ballet’s “Nutcracker”
The sedate elders [surrounding the children] serve as models of gracious decorum, as if civilization were achieved along with the attainment of full height. Village Voice 12/10/03
Dusan Tynek Dance Theatre
Ambitious beyond its power to deliver, [Tynek’s Pilot’s Dream] is filled with vision, charm, and wit. Village Voice 12/10/03
“Personal Things in a Public Way”
[Jessi] Scopp . . . alternates lithe, quicksilver, frequently violent movement with ominous slow-motion and suspended or frozen postures – to terrific effect. Village Voice 12/03/03
A “NUTCRACKER” ANECDOTE
New York City Ballet: The Nutcracker / New York State Theater, Lincoln Center, NYC / November 28, 2003 – January 4, 2004 The Nutcracker, in George Balanchine’s (for me) definitive version, danced by the New York City Ballet, opens November 28 at the New York State Theater for a run of six weeks. I know […]
Garth Fagan Dance
Cultivating their unique beauty and dignity, Fagan makes each member of his company look like a god in the pantheon of his imagination. Village Voice 11/26/03
SPEAKING OF BALANCHINE
New York City Ballet / New York State Theater, Lincoln Center, NYC / November 25, 2003 The George Balanchine Foundation: Videotaping of Violette Verdy coaching George Balanchine’s Emeralds / Samuel B. and David Rose Building, Lincoln Center, NYC / October 27, 2003 Works & Process: Balanchine’s Lost Choreography / Guggenheim Museum / November 16 & […]