Farrell Fan

With the indispensable aid of "Repertory in Review," by Nancy Reynolds, to jog my memory (if only someone would reprint this wonderful book some day), I can confirm that Verdy did indeed dance "Agon" -- the second pas de trois. Other works one might not associate with her include "Electronics" from 196l, one of Balanchine's attempts at choreographing to what was happening in music at the time, and Birgit Cullberg's "Medea" in which Verdy portrayed King Creon's daughter Creussa and did a Dance of Death. She was also a touching Firebird. Incidentally, in the aforementioned book, Verdy is frequently quoted about her roles, to telling effect. I'd love to see the film some day.

For years, my late wife and I sat in the orchestra of the New York State Theater. Then we graduated to the first ring and had a similar revelation. Seeing "Union Jack" from the orchestra had been pretty much of a mess. Now it made sense. The same was true for other ballets. Eventually we gave up our orchestra seats and sat in the first, second, or third rings only. Currently, I have three NYCB subscriptions -- one in the first ring, two in the second. I prefer the second ring because it's cheaper and the audience seems happier. A lot of people in the first ring never applaud -- some are critics, so that's understandable -- but many just seem bored. I don't miss the sweat either, but I do miss seeing the dancers' faces. At one time I could recognize almost everyone in the corps if I saw them on the street. That's no longer the case. I had just about the worst ballet seat I've ever had at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center this past October, for the Suzanne Farrell Ballet. It was in a box from which I could see only half the stage. But I'd already seen the company four times a short while earlier at the Kennedy Center, so I wasn't too distressed. Besides, there was a compensation. Two times I caught a glimpse of Suzanne herself, bustling around backstage.

Thanks for the report on Farrell's remarks. I was wondering why the Bejart had been cancelled. I was in DC from Sept. 27 to Oct 1, and saw each of her two programs twice. Then I went to NJPAC for that one-afternoon stand. I guess I should have realized that the music at NJPAC would be on tape. Still, it was an unpleasant surprise, particularly when the sound system failed a minute or two into Sonambula. Nevertheless, I thought her company did wonderfully well, whether dancing to live or taped music. But I'm prejudiced.

After the terrorist attacks, poet laureate Billy Collins told the New York Times, "In times of crisis it's interesting that people don't turn to the novel or say, 'We should all go out to a movie,' or 'Ballet would help us.' It's always poetry." Not to take anything away from poetry, but personally I've always found ballet a big help in times of sadness or crisis. What do you think?