26 replies to this topic

[Alexandra]

Any nominations for who should play The Don in the upcoming revival of "Don Quixote?"  It's a mime role, so an actor who looks good in armor would do, if no dancer springs to mind.

[Mme. Hermine]

Freddie Franklin?

[carbro]

Very good, pmeja!

I was thinking of two of Farrell's former Don's:  d'Amboise and Luders.  The only thing is, isn't d'Amboise pretty busy with his National Dance Institute that time of year?

Maybe Placido Domingo?

[Farrell Fan]

I think d'Amboise would be perfect! I'm old enough to do it myself except that I'm shaped more like Sancho Panza.

[Mel Johnson]

Problem is, all that have been mentioned so far are too tall.  I think the part works best when the Don is an average or below-sized man.  He's a little man with outsize visions.

[Amy Reusch]

But isn't he usually portrayed as taller than his servant?  (honestly don't know)

[Alexandra]

I always think of him as tall and bone thin -- Adam Luders (who did do the role in the past, I believe).  Jacques d'Amboise would be interesting, as one of Farrell's former partners.  Of course, there are other former partners.....

[carbro]

Other partners, yes, but I don't know of other living partners who've danced this role opposite SF.  These two would create even more excitement (as if it were needed) among the old-time NYCB-ers.

[Mel Johnson]

Richard Rapp, the original Don, was only a little taller than Deni Lamont, the original Sancho.  The difference was that Lamont always was hunched over in his fat suit, and/or standing in a wide second position.  Farrell towered over both Rapp and Balanchine when she was on pointe.

[Mme. Hermine]

i'd cast a vote for d'amboise then.  i didin't know he'd done it before.

[perky]

Sean Lavery, whom Farrell was partnered with before she retired, would be nice. I believe he retired early due to an injury but since as Alexandra pointed out the role is mostly mime, he could do it.
How bout Eddie Villella?

And this may sound out of left field, but how about Christopher Walkin? The guy danced on Broadway in his twenties I believe, and his hoofing in the recent Fatboy Slim video shows he's still got it.

[Mel Johnson]

I think that Villella would be good in the part.  He's a powerful actor, still, and would bring a lot to it.

[Old Fashioned]

After learning about John Lithgow's involvement with the NYCB in "Carnival of the Animals," I somehow imagine him as Don Q.

[bart]

I'd go for a classically trained actor who can move rather than a dancer who may or may not be able to act.

How about Derek Jacoby?  His expressive face is so good at conveying pain, confusion and ultimately nobility.  He moves awfully well too.  At least he did in Cyrano 20 years ago.

[Ari]

If we're going to consider actors, Washington has plenty of them.  We have an excellent classical company, the Shakespeare Theater, from which a number of Dons could be taken -- Ted van Griethuysen, Philip Goodwin, Andrew Long.

But I also like the idea of someone with a Balanchine connection.  Villella would be wonderful.  He'd have to wear a gray wig, though . . .