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Villella's proportions made him look taller on stage. He also danced big. I think he was one of the original high jumpers. I recall early in his book he said said that Violet Verdy told him that he was a horrible partner. She probably did him a favor, because he worked very hard and sitting in the audience, he made it seem effortless. To this day, I think that he and McBride had one of the great partnerships in ballet history.

I always try to attend at least once, each summer. I really enjoyed taking class from Alison Roper, last summer, so I'll try to do that again, this year. Please report back on the Exposed. I'd love to read about it.

I'll add my thanks too. I enjoyed it and loved that it was in Danish.

But pro athletes get paid enough to keep them comfortable in later years (if they were smart with their money sense). Ballet dancers in comparison get pennies on the dollar.

Thanks for the link. I enjoyed the article. I wish there were more photos.

Oh I wish I could, but I am saving my airfare or airline miles for Swan Lake in October and Tarantella in April. I would love to hear if any BTers are attending and their impressions. I suspect that after the Kennedy Center appearance, there will be a groundswell of support for OBT.

For all of you Portlanders, or ballet lovers who will be in Portland at the end of August, here is a treat from OBT!!! http://www.obt.org/obt_exposed_schedule.html

The Prince and Marie eat too much in the land of sweets, they gain tons of weight and their sleigh crashes and burns. (for those of you who watch Balanchine's Nutcracker).

Whenever I hear the overture, I have to stop whatever I am doing and listen. I get completely overcome with emotion. When I watch the movie (use to be a favorite past time with me and my sons) we would listen to the overture, watch the first scene in the playground and fast forward to the dance at the gym. Afterwards, we would just fast forward to our favorite musical numbers. I saw the revival in thee 80s and it was BORING and a big disappointment.

Look at what was posted on the NY Times site.... http://www.nytimes.com/packages/pdf/theate..._Side_Story.pdf

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/17/theater/17bway.html?8dpc between the lyrics, music and dancing, I for one couldn't be more excited.

Thanks for the heads up on this movie. I just put it in my Netfix queue.

What was I thinking? I will definitely read Winter Season for Farrell info. Thanks dirac! I will also try to read her book on Karinska. The book is an inside look as a member of the corps. It is mostly about Bentley but a very good read!!!

I absolutely enjoyed "Winter Season". I thought it was a true representation of life in a company as large, competitive and demanding as NYCB. That is one of the reasons why I rushed out to by Farrell's book because it was co-authored by Bentley. I found it to be very dry. When I left it by accident on a flight from NY to Portland (are there really any accidents?) I did not run out to replace it.

Modern dancers as strong, powerful and independent thinkers and ballerinas as the complete opposite. Enough already!!!

Thanks for the thread.

I found this book on Amazon and was wondering if anyone has read it and what they thought of it. It was written by Barbara Milberg who became a Soloist before retiring at the age of 31. I have never heard of her and was curious about this book. Is it a good read?

Damian never went to college as an undergraduate. He went from h.s. to NYCB and then on to Harvard grad school.

Christopher Stowell has catalyzed great change in the company's rep and technical standards, and it's great to see recognition for the company's work. I second that

Thanks Helene for the direct link. When it comes to figuring things out like that, I am all thumbs.

Congratulations to them!!! http://www.obt.org/home.htm

Sandik Perhaps we will meet up in PDX in April. I am making in out to see Swan Lake in October (it's that water thing) I am specifically going out to see Tarantella. I saw the Forstythe piece this past October, I enjoyed but I had never seen anything like Almost Mozart. That piece took my breath away.

Sandy, Same on my coast as well.

No, it is probably something in the water!!!!

They are doing Christopher Wheeldon's "Rush" at the Kennedy Center. Sounds like you saw a wonderful program. I've read the reviews in the Oregonian and Tribune (online). I have been to OBT's evening performances and matinees and luckily haven't been through what you did. I would have lost my mind. But before losing it, going to an usher usually solves the problem. One time during an ABT performance, a woman behind me was slurping vegetable soup. Nothing I did during the performance stopped her. When she saw me speak to the usher, she high-tailed it out of the theater and didn't come back (or at the very least, she moved her seat to another section). One day, your favorite dancers will leave and hopefully, there will be new favorites to replace them.