DeborahB

Thanks for the link, sealings, but it didn't work for me. I got an ad, which linked to a page which my spyware program blocked but was obviously not the Letterman-Part segment. However, ABT posted the video (just under 7 minutes, including show's intro) on its FaceBook page. http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#...tre/15817871857 You probably have to join FB to view it, but I don't know if you have to "friend" ABT. I found the link on Youtube. Enjoy!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ee77HDR97jg

"Tony Mendez a former dancer and current staff member on “Late Show With David Letterman,” asked to have her appear on the program." Yes, Abatt. You are correct. However, it had to be approved by the EP and (especially) Dave. Tony Mendez is a really cool guy (he does clips online too on the Letterman site).

Dave is never shocked when someone is a guest on his show. He makes the final decisions about each guest (i.e. whether they will make the cut). There is also a run through before the show tapes. Also, Dave is a huge fan of the arts and is to be commended on having so many artists on his show. As for the silly questions about ballet -- that's part of his humor. He was surely asking these questions because a lot of his audience probably never saw a ballet and he was being an "everyman/woman." As for Merv Griffin (a lovely man in real life), he too made the ultimate decisions about who was to be on his show (ditto Jay Leno etc.). All of these hosts are prepped about their guests history/accomplishment. If they appeared not to know anything about ballet (which is so not true in Letterman's case), it's part of tv (i.e. they allow the guests to make their points etc.). All the guests are pre-interviewed, and questions are discussed. This is true of all national tv and radio. I'm thrilled that dancers (ballet and others. Savion Glover -- one of my favorite dancers ever -- is a popular national tv guest) have a chance for the mass exposure that national tv allows. As for Dave "mocking" Veronika Part (CubanMiamiBoy) -- it's an entertainment show. Dave (gently) mocks -- its part of his persona. ABT is extremely lucky (and I'm sure they are thrilled, as they should be) that Ms. Part was on this show (with it's huge audience). And even major Hollywood types don't always talk about their latest projects on Letterman. That's his thing. This isn't Charlie Rose; it's a late night , big ratings (Larry King may be popular but his ratings are miniscule compared to Dave's, or Jay's, or even Conan's or Jimmy Kimmel's) show. It's all about, well, entertainment. The interview -- which I thought was terrific -- helped promote ballet (which is what matters). And Ms. Part was lovely (she did herself and ABT proud!).

_____ That's such a fabulous DVD! I just watched it again the other day. I was lucky enough to see Baryshnikov a lot when he danced with the NYCB (I was just starting to go to NYCB many times a week). What a treat/honor! (that's an understatement!). I loved him with Patty! I do see Baryshnikov, often, at NYCB these days. He always talks to Peter Martins and is friendly to those of us who recognize him (I sit two row in front of Martins in the First Ring).

Oops... I'm at The Today Show so often (including twice this week) that time frames sometimes blend together. But the important things is really that The Today Show had dancers on, n'est-ce pas? It's great for ballet (and dance in general).

My apologies if this has already been posted (I couldn't find it anywhere on Ballet Talk, I did email the moderators as well. I haven't heard back yet). This is a terrific story about Janie Taylor in the July 2009 Dance Magazine. http://www.dancemagazine.com/issues/July-2...ina-Interrupted

Actually The Today Show (the 10am hour with Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb) had two ABT corps members (I'm sorry, their name slips my mind at the moment) last fall. The dancers not only showed some steps (i.e. teaching Kathie Lee and Hoda) but they also talked about ballet. It was really fun.

I've never seen ABT's Romeo and Juliet and am really excited to see it on Sat. afternoon. Ballet Talk's Leigh Witchel has a fine review of Gomes and Vishneva in the NY Post today. I'm not providing a link because I think that's something that the moderators do (but you can always go on www.nypost.com and then hit "arts").

Please forgive my ignorance, but I'd like to set my DVR too. At what time and on what channel does the David Letterman Show appear? And how long does it run? I fell in love with Veronika Part this year but will be away on Thursday night. Many thanks, angelica Letterman is on from 11:35-12:35 pm EST. My guess is that Ms. Part will be the second guest. The first 20 minutes is almost always monologue, Top Ten list etc. He's on CBS.

A very rare moment when I truly regret not having a TV You can watch the interview online the next day. There are exceptions, but most of the interviews make it onto the CBS site (www.cbs.com. Then go to Letterman).

I've never seen "Sylvia" before and loved it! Paloma (she's one of my favorites) and Marcelo were simply wonderful. I also really liked Alexandre Hammoudi (Orion). The orchestra was in fine form, and the house was packed!

"Easy" is relative. Carbro -- I didn't realize that trains didn't run after an evening performance. It would behoove SPAC to have a Saratoga/NYC bus after the curtain falls (maybe they do? Not sure). I must admit that I'm staying up there for a couple of days and driving. I do know that many of the NYCB dancers take the train up there -- then again they stay for a few weeks. I'm guessing that SPAC (the box office itself) might be helpful (at least they'll have a schedule) with travel suggestions (for those that don't want to/can't stay overnight). Thought for next year -- a Ballet Talk sponsored trip to SPAC? (I have room for three others in my car and it might be possible -- and not too costly -- to charter a bus for a reasonable fee).

If you haven't been to SPAC (and even if you have), it's well worth going. The setting is beautiful (in the middle of the woods), and it's fun to see the dancers in this venue. On top of this, Saratoga Springs itself is beautiful -- especially the buildings. Best of it SPAC is so easy to get to from NYC, NJ, Conn., Massachusetts and most East Coast cities. There's even a train that goes right to Saratoga Springs. I'm heading there for two days in less than two weeks. I'm so looking forward to it!

Beatrice, I appreciate your passion. However, NYCB had to make cuts. As others have said here, it would have been grand if there had been across the board salary cuts (as they did at ABT), or principals and soloists who haven't danced much (or shouldn't) had offered to leave. But the management was not unprofessional with Ms. Flack, or any of the cut corp members. Even if I didn't know what actually happened, that sort of accusation is just irresponsible. Believe me -- I HATE that so many corps members were cut, but hard decisions had to be made about corp members (and they didn't just layoff the most senior corps members either). NYCB made them. It's sad, but it's a fact of business.

Soloists and Principal dancers are automatically renewed, unless there's a near catastrophe reason not to do so. Even then the unions will fight management. Happy 4th of July everyone!!

Tutu -- Arrested, yes. But the verdict was "disorderly conduct, " as reported in many NYC papers. I don't think snarky has a place on this board (especially when posters don't know all of the facts).

Attending company class is not mandatory per se, however it is a smart thing to do (and is encouraged) -- especially for corps members.

Regarding Aesha Ash (I adore her!): she was a corps member and thus had no clout. It's a shame because I thought (and think) she was incredibly talented. I can't address "forcing" someone out in detail. However, corps members know when their star is rising (or not). Part of the problem is that so many of the corps members are so young and don't know how brutal business (and NYCB and other companies are a business) can be. You are so right Abatt -- corps members should not be looking at management as "family." I was also dismayed (and again, I am a huge NYCB supporter), that Henry Seth never advanced. He was one to watch after he graduated SAB. Is it because Seth and Ash are African-American? God, I hope not! When I saw Aesha Ash with Morphoses I literally swooned. She is gorgeous and should have been in line to be a principal at NYCB. Sorry for all the posts today!!

An AD can't do that (at least at NYCB, and, from what I know, ABT too). It has to be some major breach: being arrested for a major crime etc.

As everyone who reads my post on Ballet Talk knows, I live and breathe NYCB (although I also really like ABT and go to many performances each season -- 6 this season so far). But you are so right about this statement above, Miliosr. ABT's PR factor alone (again, my profession) -- for the way they handled this situation -- was brilliant. And more importantly they saved jobs!

So much of all of this is company politics, Simon (as I'm sure you know). This happens in all jobs (arts and otherwise). Also there are "favorites" in all companies. Without saying more than I should, this is why so many dancers whom we love have left. But again, this happens everywhere. I do admire Sophie a lot for what she did and said. Heck, if I was a company director I'd hire her just for being honest! Plus she didn't cross the line (i.e. she didn't appear terribly angry, just disappointed).

Corps members only have a one year contract. They can be let go at the end of the year with or w/o cause. Principals and soloists have a lifetime contact (doesn't need to be renewed each year). From what I know, it's nearly impossible to ever fire a principal/soloist (this includes things like so called "bad" behavior).

The soloists that I mentioned dance once or twice a season. As for the unions -- soloists and principals can't be fired. Sure, there are extenuating circumstances (mostly having to do with bad behavior), but the unions protect these folks (and will fight management when, and if, necessary). Please understand -- I'm usually pro-union. However, there are always exceptions and, as we know, there are several union protected dancers (not just at NYCB either) that should/need to retire. On the other hand, I was thrilled that one of my favorite dancers -- the wonderful Adrian Danchig-Waring -- was finally promoted to soloist. Now he's protected by the union. As for corp members (not protected by unions) -- I'm afraid that many who are leaving are more senior. Some are volunteering to leave and will be teaching at SAB (including one who we all love).

Carbro is correct about the weekly salaries (and the dancers get paid for rehearsals too, albeit at a slightly lower rate). Miliosr -- I hear you about dropping some of the principals who don't pull their weight. There are a couple of soloists that are also in this category. However, the principals and soloists are protected by a union; the corps members are not. Ms. Flack was indeed brave for speaking out. But as a PR professional I'm worried (for her) that it could hurt her chances for another job. NYCB will be losing many beloved corps members at the end of the Saratoga season. So sad....

Thank you, Welsely for your wonderful post. There's no question that Ms. Kistler's farewell program (either winter or spring 2010) will be packed with 3,000 people with tears in their eyes, and a lump in their throat. I'll be one of them; it sounds like you will be too.