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Watermill, thanks for your thoughtful and thought provoking reply. I have never seen his works, but have been reading the reviews and related news articles... Your observations are quite interesting. Very sorry to hear about the school situation. I do look forward to seeing his work one day...East of the Mississippi.

"Oh, to be in England again!" ;) I bet they've got some great ones!

Thanks for your perspective nycb2b/Giovanni. You sound as though you know what you're talking about - so it really may be the keep 'em off balance approach - or maybe it is just part of the "mystery" legacy.

I'll cast my lot with Doris R's suggestions - not that anyone else's weren't good too, but I like the "in depth" side of Doris's programming suggestions. Inquiring minds do want to know! On another thread, in the news section I believe, is an announcement that New York magazine is cancelling its dance column...there is an email address to which the astonished and upset may write. Perhaps, if there really was a concerted;) grass roots email and regular mail movement in contacting our own PBS stations as well as A&E and Bravo it might just make a difference. It's amazing what people can do when they put their "voices" behind something!

Thanks for the news - albeit bad news. I've sent my email. Maybe if they see enough of an uprising, they'll realize they have a substantial chunk of readers that they'll lose. Here's hoping!

Thanks for the news - albeit bad news. I've sent my email. Maybe if they see enough of an uprising, they'll realize they have a substantial chunk of readers that they'll lose. Here's hoping!

Well, Leigh, I did read it...and to really discuss it thoroughly I should read it again and take notes. My first impressions are that it is extremely negative and that the majority of footnoted claims are from tracts that are from about 30 years ago. We all know that there have been many unseemly things that have gone on in the ballet world but some of these supposed facts just don't seem plausible to me... the weigh ins at ABT? That being said, I have to believe that there have been some great strides made towards improving the health and welfare of dancers in the ballet world...otherwise it is time to fold up the tents and go home. Maybe we should take specific "facts" the author of the paper expounds upon and do a little dissection? Much of her information seems quite dated to me. Let us hope so.

Farrell Fan, I just loved your comments about the "damned if he does and damned if he doesn't" situation re the casting at NYCB - and especially your last two lines! I really can't add much to the thread, as I don't have much in depth historical hindsight - except for what I've read - and the autobiographies of former dancers truly do not paint NYCB, nor any other company, as the Camelot of the ballet world! Perhaps it is like talking about the "good old days" and forgetting that while the apple pie was great - the polio epidemic was not. I guess, in a way, in reviewing a ballet company's life and art, one can either take the attitude of the investor who buys and holds for the long haul vs. being a day trader. ;) Anyway thanks for the perspective!

Yes, thank you indeed! Having now been there once, I can easily picture it - and I know what you mean about the enthusiastic responses of the young ballet dancers - I got a kick out of them myself.

Believe me, ronny, it will! But it will be worth every penny of it...most of the time, anyway/;)

I didn't make myself clear - I didn't mean I like ABT's production of Don Q.! I've actually never seen it! What I meant is that last night's performance, for me was not as enjoyable as some of ABT's story ballets that I've seen. I really didn't mean to compare the two - although I guess I did.:eek: It was more some out loud cyber thinking...trying to figure out why it didn't "Wow!" me as much as I expected. I think Michael has hit on it in his first line.

You know, I almost don't want to say this but I really was not that "in love" with tonight's performance of Don Q. I was prepared to love it...and wonder if that added to my disappointment. It's not that it was "bad" - far from it, however, it just didn't knock my socks off. I think my feelings are more along the lines of cargill's. Tonight's Kitri was Elvira Tarasova who was quite good but I would have preferred seeing Tatiana Tkachenko in this role - she was the spitfire! Not that Ms. Tarasova wasn't accomplished - it's more of an appearance thing for me. Basil was danced by Andrian Fadeyev... Now what I'm about to say is probably blasphemy but there was something about him that reminded me of Rudolph Nureyev. Now, that you've all either swooned or choked on your drinks, just let me say that I have only seen Nureyev on video tape! Maybe it was the fellow's face - and general appearance? The costumes were great - the atmosphere was there. I, too, really got a kick out of the character dancing.... I wish I could say exactly what it was about the performance that just didn't astound me. I have to say that I have enjoyed ABT's performances this past spring much more. Maybe it's that there was sooooo much extraneous activity - I don't know.:confused: :rolleyes:

Great suggestion about Orlando Ballet! ronny, be careful with the "Moscow Ballet" - if it's the same one I saw last year up in the NY metro area, it was anything but good. And let's be frank here, there is nothing like a live performance - I don't think a tape exists that is good enough to match the real thing!

ronny, if that is what you mean then you can certainly visit NYC and attend some of ABT's performances! There has been quite a lot written about their season at the Metropolitan Opera House(Spring). I suggest you go to their website and see what their schedule is for NYC and where else they tour - although, I fear Florida is not one of them. Boston Ballet also does these types of ballets... And I know SFB and others do them from time to time too - not all ballet companies approach them in the same manner, however, but to me, it's all the more interesting to compare them. My suggestion is to read the threads about the ballet companies and also just go to their websites to see what is coming up this fall or spring and plan a little trip! I know there are some other Floridian posters around here - maybe they can offer some more local tips. The Harid in Bocca Raton is a highly regarded Vaganova ballet school and may very well put on their own versions of some of these ballets you've mentioned and since much of their training is Russian based, with an American flavor ;), I can guarantee you'll not be disappointed. Seeing well done excerpts from Sleeping Beauty, et al, can be very wonderful as well as seeing the full length versions! Hope this helps you as a spring board! Just wondering, ronny, have you ever attended any Miami City or Florida Ballet performances? They may not perform the classic story ballets, but I bet you'd enjoy them.

No problem, Bobbi re the use of the pronoun "he"! ;) How would you know, unless your frequented the Mom's and Dad's section on here? However, I do want to say that your explanations about your views of Ms. Tracey and Ms. Borree mean a great deal more to me than those of Mr. Gottliebs - perhaps, this is because I am not an afficianado of ballet technique - though I am learning! I think I'm going to ask Leigh Witchel to arrange a 4th ring society seminar and those of us who don't have the technical background can then be given a crash course by fire!;) But, seriously, I do appreciate your taking the time to expound upon the "why's" of your feelings about the specific dancers mentioned in Gottlieb's piece. I know that this has now really derailed this thread from it's initial "casting crisis" theme, and I apologize, but I do think that understanding "criticism" and being able to express oneself when one takes exception only furthers the understanding and appreciation of the dance. Now, back to the "crisis"....which I hope is not as bad as most people seem to think it is.

No problem, Bobbi re the use of the pronoun "he"! ;) How would you know, unless your frequented the Mom's and Dad's section on here? However, I do want to say that your explanations about your views of Ms. Tracey and Ms. Borree mean a great deal more to me than those of Mr. Gottliebs - perhaps, this is because I am not an afficianado of ballet technique - though I am learning! I think I'm going to ask Leigh Witchel to arrange a 4th ring society seminar and those of us who don't have the technical background can then be given a crash course by fire!;) But, seriously, I do appreciate your taking the time to expound upon the "why's" of your feelings about the specific dancers mentioned in Gottlieb's piece. I know that this has now really derailed this thread from it's initial "casting crisis" theme, and I apologize, but I do think that understanding "criticism" and being able to express oneself when one takes exception only furthers the understanding and appreciation of the dance. Now, back to the "crisis"....which I hope is not as bad as most people seem to think it is.

Bobbi - I did enjoy Margaret Tracey at times but my husband is the one who is truly enamored of her! And as for Ms. Borree, I have seen her perform and truly did enjoy watching her. I appreciate your compliments ...and suppose that I just need to toughen up my psyche a bit on behalf of whichever dancer who is falling under the mighty pen at the moment I'm reading!;) I understand we all have our tastes in things whether they be ice cream, men, women, pets, vacations, literature, etc. One of the worst thing for me it to absolutely love something - say a book like Helprin's A Winter's Tale and then to lend it to someone I'm really fond of, and find they hate it! At this stage of the game, I should know better! Guess I'm the sensitive type, however, again, I did find the link to Joan Acocella's pieces to be quite quite helpful in my "recovery".

Bobbi - I did enjoy Margaret Tracey at times but my husband is the one who is truly enamored of her! And as for Ms. Borree, I have seen her perform and truly did enjoy watching her. I appreciate your compliments ...and suppose that I just need to toughen up my psyche a bit on behalf of whichever dancer who is falling under the mighty pen at the moment I'm reading!;) I understand we all have our tastes in things whether they be ice cream, men, women, pets, vacations, literature, etc. One of the worst thing for me it to absolutely love something - say a book like Helprin's A Winter's Tale and then to lend it to someone I'm really fond of, and find they hate it! At this stage of the game, I should know better! Guess I'm the sensitive type, however, again, I did find the link to Joan Acocella's pieces to be quite quite helpful in my "recovery".

Two very interesting and well written articles - many thanks for the link. It would be interesting to read people's reactions to them, but perhaps this is not the place. She makes some great points, and explains her perspective well.

Two very interesting and well written articles - many thanks for the link. It would be interesting to read people's reactions to them, but perhaps this is not the place. She makes some great points, and explains her perspective well.

Michael and Alexandra, thanks for the background info on The Observer and the glimpse into the "underworld" of conspiracy theories ;). I suppose I just need to put aside my Emily Post when I'm reading these things.

Michael and Alexandra, thanks for the background info on The Observer and the glimpse into the "underworld" of conspiracy theories ;). I suppose I just need to put aside my Emily Post when I'm reading these things.

Well, I don't know Alexandra, I read a lot of reviews both of ballet and other performing arts and I still think Gottlieb makes some unnecessary asides as in "teach what?" in regard to Margaret Tracey; and his comment re Yvonne Borree, "but then why is she there in the first place?" to name only two. Perhaps, it is a matter of style? In this article Gottlieb reminds me of Clement Crisp who, although he makes me laugh at times, is even more severe with his acerbic comments. This aside, your story about the excess make up and "green gunk" is a good one! You critics had better watch yourselves! ;)

Well, I don't know Alexandra, I read a lot of reviews both of ballet and other performing arts and I still think Gottlieb makes some unnecessary asides as in "teach what?" in regard to Margaret Tracey; and his comment re Yvonne Borree, "but then why is she there in the first place?" to name only two. Perhaps, it is a matter of style? In this article Gottlieb reminds me of Clement Crisp who, although he makes me laugh at times, is even more severe with his acerbic comments. This aside, your story about the excess make up and "green gunk" is a good one! You critics had better watch yourselves! ;)

Thanks you two - can't wait til tomorrow night! I'm glad I took the advice to choose Don Q.!