DeborahB

Is there a possibility of this being put online?

http://www.megavideo.com/?v=B1701BO4

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

I'm guessing there were many jealous principal dancers over at ABT who would have loved to be on Letterman. Any idea how Veronika got the invitation? I remember reading somewhere that one of the producers or directors at the Letterman show loves the ballet and goes as often as possible. Maybe it was his idea.

"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).

Nureyev was a guest on Letterman in 1989 - he was promoting "The King and I," and Letterman asked his usual silly questions about ballet. Also, Letterman appeared to be in shock that Rudi was to be a guest. Rudi also appeared on Merv Griffin's afternoon talk show in the 70's, as well as Cavett's show. None of the hosts seemed to know anything about ballet, though.

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!).

I started watching one of the Choreography by Balanchine DVDs again the other night, and this time just stopped in my tracks by the 'Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux' done by Baryshnikov with Patty McBride. I had to keep watching it over and over. I couldn't believe how fabulous paired they were--at least for that piece (I think, correct me if I'm wrong, but I was just knocked out). They both have qualities of the 'airborne' about them. He's well-known for that, and in the many performances I saw her in, I never saw a ballerina who could be more so. There are just moments in this unlike anything I've ever seen.

But I never, idiotically, went to see NYCB during that year Baryshnikov was dancing there, or rather, I did go, but not on one of the nights he and Patty were dancing. I think many thought this partnership was imperfect, and it may well have been, although it's hard to say, since a year might not be enough for it to really blossom and develop. Peter Martins talks about it some in 'Far from Denmark'. Would be interested to here remarks on their dancing that year, in other things as well as this, but including this. Sometimes she just seems to float across the floor, it is like a 'walking on water' sensation. I have to say it, there is surely no ballerina I adore more than Patricia McBride. I knew that I always did love her dancing, but watching this again I really did think 'yes, SHE really was made of the same air that Misha was'. And I had seen this before, at Saratoga, on a balmy night when she did 'Le Baiser de la Fee'. I don't know, Misha flies, but Patty never seems to touch the ground. I really can't find a single flaw in this performance, though.

_____

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).

It was not last fall, but this past spring, in March. The dancers were Katie Williams and Eric Tamm.

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").

DVR set to record! Thanks, Fleegull!

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.

This is happy news, Veronika Part will be a guest on The Late Show With David Letterman on Thursday, July 9th!

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!

Trains are easy but not conveniently scheduled. Return to NYC on a train from Saratoga at 9:43 a.m. or on a bus-train connection in Albany at 3:53 pm.

Trailways offers more options, but still nothing after an evening performance.

Theoretically, Greyhound also operates between Saratoga Springs and NYC, but I'm unable to pull up a schedule.

Best of it SPAC is so easy to get to from NYC, ...

"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.

Hi. Several times in this discussion, it has been said that soloist and principal level contracts must be renewed. Or at least that is what I understood was being said; perhaps I am mistaken. In any event, I went to the AGMA website, which provides the basic NYC Ballet contract right on line, and I must admit that I do not find wording to that effect. The basic renewal provision is as follows:

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!!

Like, say, being arrested for felony cocaine possession?

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!!

Do you know what happens when an AD decides that a soloist or principal has come to the end of the road and wants to terminate a contract in US companies? Can they actually do that?

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.

At the end of the day, I think ABT got the better of City Ballet in this situation. They took the hit together and, for all the detractors who decry ABT as a "polyglot" company, they look more like a unified company than City Ballet does.

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).

Is that contractual, though? I mean specifically in the contract that there are different standards for firing a principal/soloist rather than for firing a corps member. (I assume that apprentices have few rights, apart from the salary).

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.