16 replies to this topic

[Alexandra]

In addition to the "keep it or heave it" question above, what effect, if any, will Musagète have on the repertory?

Edited by Alexandra, 21 June 2004 - 08:00 AM.

[Farrell Fan]

The works of Angelin Prejolcaj and Mauro Bigonzetti at NYCB paved the way for the Eifman (although I thought both of those were somewhat more successful than "Musagete.") I dread to think what next season will bring.

[perky]

Can we vote in this poll if we haven't seen Musagete? Pretty Please! :yes:

[charlieloki]

it must, not should, close with the season

if nycb goes that route, i will have to go another, more civilized route (like, stay home!)

[Leigh Witchel]

Charlieloki - I don't think that Alexandra meant it should be a season closer, rather that when the season is over, the ballet should not be revived.

[charlieloki]

i'm very emotional about this issue

what i meant was:  never, never, never again put this piece on the new york state theater stage

it defiles balanchine and his house

[oberon]

I didn't hate it, but I also wouldn't want to see it again.

I am not sure if the Eifman ballet is the reason, but on the last 3 days I have been in the lobby at different times of the day (I work nearby) and there have been unusually long lines, considering the season is almost over.

My feeling is, it will play another season...too much was spent on costumes and it was well-received by a large part of the opening night audience. Remember, you don't have to go if you don't want to.

[carbro]

Voted to chuck it lock, stock and barrel (i.e., "close with season").

My guess, however, is that it will get 3-4 performances during Winter '05, and with a nice, strong deity on our side, that will be the end of it.

[bobbi]

Did anyone else get an Audience Feedback survey by email regarding the Friday, June 18's, program (which was of course Suite 3 and the new Eifman)?  I don't ever remember a question about a specific program before.  The last question was, "Would you recommend this program to a friend?" Take a guess what I put. . .

[Farrell Fan]

Bobbi, I got that audience feedback email the day after my last three nights at NYCB. In a typical bit of survey stupidity the choices given for attending a performance did not include "Because it was on my subscription." Be that as it may, I chose not to recommend the Eifman ballet to a friend. Or even to my worst enemy.

[lampwick]

I voted to show it occasionally. Looks like it cost a fortune and it would be a waste to never show it. That's the only reason I can think of though. And it will probably die quickly with the regular NYCB crowd attending mixed rep evenings. I didn't hate the ballet, but it was structurally flawed and more than borderline distasteful. It's not a fitting tribute to George Balanchine. The fact that it's billed as such, and is danced by his company, strikes me as just plain wrong.

[Helene]

lampwick, on Jun 24 2004, 04:46 PM, said:

I voted to show it occasionally. Looks like it cost a fortune and it would be a waste to never show it. That's the only reason I can think of though.

Perhaps NYCB could rent the sets and costumes back to Eifman's company, and depending on the performance rights, license the ballet back as well.  It sounds like it fits right into his repertoire -- unless it's too tame.  Most audiences wouldn't know that it's an insult to anyone and would take the whole thing as a metaphor For Something Important.

[Alexandra]

I think, though, that part of what Eifman is doing is using big names as a box office draw.  Someone wrote this, and now I can't remember who -- was it Gottlieb? -- that it's like the made for TV documentaries.  (Perhaps Scott and Laci, the Ballet, will be next....)  Otherwise, he'd have to call his ballets Tortured Artist I, Tortured Artist II, etc.  

I understand why people have dwelt on the insult aspect, but if this is anything like the Eifman I have seen, it could be judged harshly on artistic terms, aside from content.  But the people who like Eifman ballets will like it.

[Ari]

If Eifman's tactic is to use big names as a box office draw, it's not going to work with Musagete.  People who love Balanchine have been outraged by it, and those who don't won't care.  It's not as though he's a celebrity outside the dance world.

[Alexandra]

I would think more people know Balanchine than would know Spessitseva ("the Red Giselle"). But there's still more box office draw if the tortured artist was "real."  People want it to be a REAL tortured artist, especially if there are a few nasty little stories buried in there.