The point of dance

[bart]

But s-u-i-c-i-d-e, Hans? (Or even attempted suicide?) Not in this political climate.

Perhaps we could make this plot more politically mainstream by bringing capital punishment into the plot. Act II ends with the execution of Albrecht for a variety of serious but unspecifed charges. Giselle is persuaded by Hilarion to be the chief prosecution witness. At the trial there would be numerous solo opportunities (victim impact statements) for outraged villagers, Bathildey, Giselle's mother, and Hilarion, all urging the ultimate penalty.

Then Act II could take place outside the gas chamber. Instead of those waves of white mist, we actually see the yellow puffs of poison gas enveloping the stage. Giselle enters, full of remorse for having ratted on her lover. Albrecht, in the meantime has become a Willie, one of a gang of Angry White Men in blue suits and red ties. They're led by -- whom? who could possibly play the male version of Myrthe?

At the end, Giselle sacrifices herself for her man rather than becoming Secretary of State, her girlhood ambition.

[Hans]

bart, I think I feel a new thread coming on....

[Farrell Fan]

The bacchantes tear Orpheus apart, limb from limb, in Balanchine's ballet.