16 replies to this topic

[ViolinConcerto]

A notice from the Henry Kravis Center for the Performing Arts:

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Kravis Center for the Performing Arts To Host World Premiere of STEVEN CARAS: SEE THEM DANCE February 24, 2011

Documentary About Ballet Dancer/Photographer Will Begin Airing on Public TV Stations in March

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts will host the world premiere of the new public TV documentary STEVEN CARAS: SEE THEM DANCE on February 24. . .  the film concerns the life and work of Mr. Caras, a former New York City Ballet dancer, who transformed his career to become one of the world's most renowned dance photographers.

It is directed by Deborah Novak, and talks about the 1950s,

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when men did not readily pursue a career in ballet without escaping unscathed. In spite of the bullying he endured, Caras persevered, receiving full scholarships to the Joffrey School and the School of American Ballet in New York City. At 18, with only three years of training, he was personally invited by the legendary choreographer George Balanchine* to join his company, the New York City Ballet.

Even while still dancing Steven began a second career as a photographer, and much of that career is shown in the film.

Lucky Floridians:

  

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Both director Novak and Terry Teachout, Wall Street Journal drama critic and author of All in the Dances: A Brief Life of George Balanchine, will engage in a conversation with Mr. Caras onstage at the Kravis Center's world premiere of the documentary on February 24.

[bart]

I'll be there!  

There will also be a screening at the NY Public Library at Lincoln Center, with Caras being interviewed by Jennifer Homans (author of the recently published Apollo's Angel's).  Date is March 7.  This is, unfortunately, by invitation only. The Kravis screening, on the other hand,  is open to the public.

[vrsfanatic]

I will be there too bart. The HARID Conservatory students are in the documentary as well as a few of our alumni. Looking forward to seeing the film! Of course Mr. Caras is a wonderfully entertaining and talented man.

[rg]

the attached scan shows a matted, signed, Caras photo of Allegra Kent and Mikhail Baryshnikov in LA SONNAMBULA. it's dated 1979 and likely documents one of the last performances Baryshnikov gave with NYCB when he was in the company. Soon after this time, he left to assume the directorship of America Ballet Theatre.
(the cropping would seem to be Caras's own.)

Attached Files

•  AK&MBlaSscfotoWM.jpg   141.07K   69 downloads

[California]

rg, on 18 February 2011 - 12:44 PM, said:

. . . it's dated 1979 and likely documents one of the last performances Baryshnikov gave with NYCB when he was in the company. Soon after this time, he left to assume the directorship of America Ballet Theatre.

Baryshnikov was scheduled to dance in Dances at a Gathering on Tuesday, October 9, 1979, at the Kennedy Center, the start of the second week of a two-week run of NYCB at the Center. I can still remember the utter dismay in the audience when the announcer came on to say he would be unable to perform due to an injury. My memory after all this time is that he never performed again with NYCB, but perhaps other old-timers remember this better than me. I know he never performed again at the Kennedy Center with NYCB. I did see him do Coppelia that Saturday, October 6 with Patty McBride at the matinee, but I've never been sure if that was his last performance with NYCB or if he did a few more after that. Anybody know?

His next performance at the Kennedy Center was in December 1980 as director of ABT. (Opening night was when he fired Gelsy Kirkland and Patrick Bissell.) But I don't know exactly when he officially started as director of ABT, or when he resumed dancing.

[dirac]

A story on the documentary in The Palm Beach Daily News. Looks very interesting.

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“I’ve always been disappointed when I see movies about ballet,” she said. “I didn’t think they told what it was like to be performing on stage day after day. Steve was a hard-working member of the corps. He would do eight shows a week and sometimes be in three or four ballets a night.”

Of course, Caras wasn’t performing with just anyone. His colleagues included dance greats such as Patricia McBride, Gelsey Kirkland, Allegra Kent, Kay Mazzo, Jacques d’Amboise and Peter Martins, several of whom appear in the film.

[vrsfanatic]

A fantastic evening. Totally inspirational. A must see for anyone who loves ballet.

[bart]

Agree completely with vrsfanatic.  

It's a  remarkable story, remarkably told by the director and  illustrated with Caras's photos,  video footage including Balanchine  teaching class at SAB, and commentary by dancers and others who were  part of the NYCB world from the late 60s through the early 80s.  

The  film is "about" Caras's quest to dance ballet, but turns gradually into  a moving tribute to the art of ballet itself and especially to  George  Balanchine, who played a kind of Fairy Godfather role in Caras's  life.

Everyone at the screening got a copy of the dvd, which  includes other material that had to be edited out.  We were told that  Arizona PBS would make the program available (free of charge, I think)  to other public television stations.  So now is probably the time to  start lobbying to my own two local stations to get on board.  Teachout,  during the post-screening discussion, mentioned that this kind of film  might be seen as an antidote to the view of ballet presented by The  Black Swan.  But only if people get to see it all over the country.

Here's the press release about the pbs tv premiere in a couple of weeks:

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"STEVEN CARAS: SEE  THEM DANCE"
      WORLD BROADCAST  PREMIERE
MARCH 9 AT 8 PM
EIGHT, ARIZONA PBS

Produced in conjunction with Eight, Arizona PBS and directed by Emmy Award winner,        Deborah Novak, this compelling documentary looks at  the life and artistry of America's        leading dance photographer. It's the true story of the  New York City Ballet's youngest        male dancer who went on to become its ultimate  image-maker under the tutelage of        legendary choreographer, George Balanchine™. Steven Caras: See Them Dance premieres  Wednesday, March 9, 2011 at 8 p.m. on Eight.

Accompanying Caras's honest and eloquent narrative are  interviews with towering        figures from the world of dance — Jacques d'Amboise,  Patricia McBride, Peter Martins,        Mia Michaels, Kay Mazzo, Sean Lavery, Allegra Kent,  and many others.

Steven Caras's critically acclaimed photo archive is  one of the most important dance        image collections of all time. How it came to be is a  chronicle of the birth and rebirth of        the artistic spirit, and of the physical and emotional  hurdles all professional dancers face.

[ViolinConcerto]

There are two more Palm Beach articles on the documentary.  This one, from Palm Beach Pulse  is the best, in my opinion, and another one from the South Florida Gay News.


Someone mentioned that he ought to publish a book.  In fact, he did, in 1985, a memoir of Balanchine and the NYCB.  I also recall a book of photos only of Peter Martins, but since Martins contributed to the 1985 book, I may be confused.


Sorry for the duplicate posting.... and yes, Steven did publish a 2nd book of photos of Martins.

Edited by ViolinConcerto, 28 February 2011 - 10:39 AM.

[ViolinConcerto]

There are two more Palm Beach articles on the documentary.  This one, from Palm Beach Pulse  is the best, in my opinion, and another one from the South Florida Gay News.


Someone mentioned that he ought to publish a book.  In fact, he did, in 1985, a memoir of Balanchine and the NYCB.  I also recall a book of photos only of Peter Martins, but since Martins contributed to the 1985 book, I may be confused.

[bart]

For the record, the Palm Beach Pulse link posted above by Violin Concerto was originally published in the Palm Beach Post, the mass-market newspaper down here.  It was a three-page spread with photos. I don't recall the Post devoting so much space to a figure in the performing arts.

[RSSS]

The somnambulist in the Steven Caras photo of "La Somnambula" looks like Allegra Kent rather than Patricia McBride.  Does the verso provide any data? For a comparative image, see http://www.nycballet...p.html?rep=327

[carbro]

Welcome to BalletAlert!, RSSS.

Definitely Allegra Kent.  There's a also slug at the bottom of the image "AK&MBlaSscfotoWM.jpg"  The "AK" would seem to refer to Allegra Kent.

[ballet-lover]

Hello Everyone,

I have wonderful news!  STEVEN CARAS:  SEE THEM DANCE won the top prize at the Worldfest-Houston International Film Festival on April 21st.  Officially, the award is called the "Grand Remi Award - Best of Show."

Here is a copy of the press release:


　
　
NEW DOCUMENTARY BY WITEK & NOVAK
WINS BEST OF SHOW
AT WORLDFEST-HOUSTON

　
On Saturday, April 21, 2012, STEVEN CARAS: SEE THEM DANCE won the Grand Remi Award - Best of Show - at the 45^th Annual Worldfest-Houston International Film Festival.

The documentary, created by Witek & Novak and presented by Arizona PBS, is the inspiring story of Mr. Caras, a former New York City Ballet Dancer, who transformed his career to become one of the world's most famous dance photographers.

"I am very moved that the jury at Worldfest has awarded Witek & Novak this top honor," said Caras, "recognizing the fact that this film's important messages have a universal appeal that stretch beyond the dance world."

In its 45^th year, Worldfest-Houston is one of the oldest international film festivals in existence. SEE THEM DANCE was one of more than 4,500 festival entrants received from 22 countries, and came away with the top prize.

Directed by Emmy Award winner, Deborah Novak, the documentary goes backstage to capture the rise, the fall, and the inspiring comeback of a dancer, who beat the odds to follow his calling

SEE THEM DANCE presents rare, behind-the-scenes photographs of ballet superstars such as Mikhail Baryshnikov, Suzanne Farrell and Natalia Makarova. Candid interviews with dance icons, such as Peter Martins, Mia Michaels, Jacques d’Amboise, Patricia McBride, Allegra Kent, and many others comment upon the artistic and historical significance of Caras‘ work.
STEVEN CARAS: SEE THEM DANCE will be presented to the PBS System by Arizona PBS in May, 2012 and will be made available to all public television stations.

[Helene]

I hope KCTS picks this up in the Seattle/lower BC areas.  I haven't seen a notice that the film has been shown up here in theaters.