Natalia Posted September 21, 2001 Share Posted September 21, 2001 Last night, while listening to the 185th rendition of the song "God Bless America" on TV, a crazy thought crossed my mind: I bet that NYCB and other US ballet companies are quickly rehearsing Balanchine's "Stars and Stripes" for their winter repertoires....even if the ballet was not originally scheduled for performance this year. Anybody want to place a bet with me? If ever there was a moment for this ballet -- this is it. Link to comment
Mme. Hermine Posted September 21, 2001 Share Posted September 21, 2001 do you one better! i'm willing to bet it is part of some large tv broadcast or another very soon. and why not? Link to comment
Alexandra Posted September 21, 2001 Share Posted September 21, 2001 Why not indeed? Balanchine used to program Stars and Stripes during the 1970s, when patriotism was Out and flags were little in evidence. It bothered some people, and others seemed to think, "Well, he's an old guy and he's foreign" -- it was definitely against the mainstream mood of the country. Have you noticed that the photographs of firemen, children, etc. are beginning to look like Norman Rockwell illustrations? I think there will be a Big Change in the arts. Whether something noble, or merely hokey, comes of it is still an open question. Link to comment
julip Posted September 21, 2001 Share Posted September 21, 2001 i am particulary looking forward to PNB's performance of Lynn Taylor-Corbitt's Ballad of You and Me with music by Pete Seeger. To me, at least, the music of Seeger is very timely and heeling. Link to comment
Alexandra Posted September 21, 2001 Share Posted September 21, 2001 I was wondering what other ballets might become suddenly popular, or rediscovered, in the present climate. Europe had several World War II ballets; we did not (we weren't involved in the same way--we at home, that is.) "Fancy Free" was quite different from what Ashton and Massine were doing. Is it imaginable that a 30-something choreographer will do a new "Stars and Stripes?" If you had to plan a season and you wanted to match the mood, what would you program? (I remember Ed voted for "Coppelia." That's something to think about, too. The World War II period was a high water mark of comedy.) Link to comment
Mme. Hermine Posted September 21, 2001 Share Posted September 21, 2001 of course there's the inevitable program: Stars and Stripes Western Symphony Union Jack and Rodeo (even though it isn't Balanchine) a bit long but we can have a 'hooker' between the second and third ballets!! Link to comment
doug Posted September 21, 2001 Share Posted September 21, 2001 PNB performed the finale of STARS AND STRIPES last night at the end of their gala program. Another work was to end the propgram but the dancers requested STARS, and Francia Russell staged it for them last week. My impression was that it came over as very sincere and was appreciated by the audience. Link to comment
liebs Posted September 22, 2001 Share Posted September 22, 2001 I remember when the hostages were released from Iran NYCB did Stars and Stripes and in the finale everyone came out with bunches of yellow ribbons. It was a memorable moment. I want to see Who Cares, that magic New York skyline would raise my spirits! Link to comment
Dale Posted September 23, 2001 Share Posted September 23, 2001 What about Eliot Feld's Variations on America? I haven't seen that ballet for a long time. Link to comment
Natalia Posted September 26, 2001 Author Share Posted September 26, 2001 Just checking in since I posted this...and I'm already winning my bet, as I see from Doug's report on PNB. Can Peter Martins/NYCB Opening Night Winter Season Gala be too far behind? It's New York, after all...I'll be shocked if they do *not* dance STARS & STRIPES. I might add 'Who Cares?' to Mme. Hermine's list of all-American favorites to be danced in a tribute/gala - that NYC skyline in the background and famous Gershwin score. What can be more 'I-Love-New-York' than that? Link to comment
Alexandra Posted September 26, 2001 Share Posted September 26, 2001 Don't forget "Fancy Free" -- how many other ballets can claim a movie as a spin off? Link to comment
Mme. Hermine Posted September 26, 2001 Share Posted September 26, 2001 okay, jeannie! so the gala performance is set. now how about the order? i vote for: 1. Rodeo 2. Variations on America 3. Fancy Free 4. Western Symphony 5. Union Jack 6. Who Cares? 7. Stars and Stripes think we'll get out of the theater before 2 a.m.? [ 09-26-2001: Message edited by: Mme. Hermine ] Link to comment
Natalia Posted September 26, 2001 Author Share Posted September 26, 2001 We're going to need at least three 'hookers' for this one. ;) And I'm not referring to Russian vodka this time...Kentucky bourbon, no doubt. Link to comment
Mme. Hermine Posted September 26, 2001 Share Posted September 26, 2001 that of course is along with our dinner of braised red peppers, mashed potatoes and blue fish, which we will have in a restaurant on the avenue of the americas! dessert, of course, will be apple pie... [ 09-26-2001: Message edited by: Mme. Hermine ] Link to comment
Steve Keeley Posted September 27, 2001 Share Posted September 27, 2001 Originally posted by Mme. Hermine:...which we will have in a restaurant on the avenue of the americas! [ 09-26-2001: Message edited by: Mme. Hermine ] AHEM! That's "6th Avenue." ~Steve (native New Yorker) Link to comment
Mme. Hermine Posted September 27, 2001 Share Posted September 27, 2001 i know, steve, i know! but the opportunity to do it was just too good! (and i live on broadway!) Link to comment
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