BW

Is that the same Swan Lake I saw?:eek: :confused: The only thing "bad" that I recall was the two lovers jumping to their deaths off something or other in the back of the stage... I have to admit I do recall Swamp thing but not much of the rest of it. I will just have to look for that ticket stub...;) By the way, I tried a search but didn't come up with anything from this board.

Thank you all for your replies, and I will certainly check out the link you gave me Manhattnik. The Adelphi might be fun as long as their mattresses are not from the Victorian era... Since we will be "on our own" for the first time in what seems like a very long time...I feel as though a B & B might be a good choice or perhaps the cluttered Adelphi! However, I will check out the others as well. Also appreciate the other info. about where to eat, names of streets, etc. Yes, it is too bad about Midsummer's Night Dream. I was disappointed to see that it won't be there this summer. Thanks again to you all for your help!

Many thanks - I'm going to get tickets!

I did sit through Sparticus once - and I did find the soldiers and slaves quite attractive. ;) Liebs, I understand what you're saying about cultural and historical perspectives that many of us 21st century attendees may not "get"... However, IF one can get a hold of a really good essay on the ballet and it included this information, it sure would make the experience more rewarding. Perhaps there should be a book called "The Cultural Perspective of Ballet" - as in cultural anthropology... In many ways, watching or reading a play by Shakespeare can be almost as confusing unless one learns the intricacies of the Elizabethans.

Plieades, have faith! I'm sure a poster more knowledgeable than I shall answer your question soon!

Well, I always have loved the music! In the last few years that song called something like "The Farmer and The Cowman Should be Friends" has made me think of the Democrats and the Republicans...just a bit. ;)

Hmm, Balletnut, in rereading your last post it does sound just a bit harsh. It's agreed that if money is the only motivation involved in creating a ballet the end result will, no doubt not be good, but I think it is wrong to assume that money is every choreographer's motivating force. I imagine you can't have meant your post to be taken this way...perhaps your wit disguised your feelings a bit? Otherwise, we might all just as well not even go to the theaters anymore! ;) Granted, that in order to survive in out current world (as opposed to Louis XIV's), ballet companies must encourage attendance - they need the funds, they want the audiences. Economics aside, there is a place for both the story and the plotless, don't you think?

Oh, Leigh! That's not fair!! What if I've never seen the the talented, experienced dancer before? Have you considered getting a part time job with the IRS - I think they need some help with their forms. ;)

Oh, Leigh! That's not fair!! What if I've never seen the the talented, experienced dancer before? Have you considered getting a part time job with the IRS - I think they need some help with their forms. ;)

Morris Neighbor - your comment about the "airplane hanger" was pretty funny. Tell me, what does one have to do in order to get enough leg room at City Center?! I thought I was going to have to be surgically removed from my balcony seat the last time I was there! People complain about NY State Theater's not having a center aisle - they must not have experienced City Center!:rolleyes:

I believe you too Paul! And your point is well taken about everyone's claims as to their own choreographer being "the best".

I believe you too Paul! And your point is well taken about everyone's claims as to their own choreographer being "the best".

Well, Paul, maybe it was just an off night for them or a "bad hair day" - the wigs that a number of the men wore were certainly horrible:rolleyes: yes, wigs! I think it was to give them a courtly look or something but they were stiff and obviously Wig-like. The odd thing was that other male dancers within the corps did not have wigs on - most had short hair except one or two with shoulder length hair that had it slicked back and held in place with bobby pins... OK, so I had my binoculars but I have never, ever been able to see bobby pins in anyone's hair - and I could see them in all the women's too! It kind of spoils the magic, if you know what I mean! Now my comments are all going to be based on impressions - not their technique as I am not capable of seeing all the particulars of that. Their costumes were not very attractive either - no colors except black, white, a somber gold and maybe a brown... What happened to the Spanish dancer's red? Instead the dancer who had the lead in the Spanish Princess's dance had a white romantic tutu with black swirls placed strategically over each breast so that she reminded me either of some sort of Valkyrie or a stripper. It was very distracting to see these bulls eyes on her bodice! In my opinion there not much "life" was shown by the dancers. I didn't detect any joy or electricity... I happen to like Swan Lake and this one just didn't have any drama that seemed believable in it...the "acting" was seriously lacking on Saturday night. I also found it a bit presumptuous to read in the program that he was "considered the greatest living choreographer in the world today"! As I said, maybe it was an off night Paul...I hope so.

Well, Paul, maybe it was just an off night for them or a "bad hair day" - the wigs that a number of the men wore were certainly horrible:rolleyes: yes, wigs! I think it was to give them a courtly look or something but they were stiff and obviously Wig-like. The odd thing was that other male dancers within the corps did not have wigs on - most had short hair except one or two with shoulder length hair that had it slicked back and held in place with bobby pins... OK, so I had my binoculars but I have never, ever been able to see bobby pins in anyone's hair - and I could see them in all the women's too! It kind of spoils the magic, if you know what I mean! Now my comments are all going to be based on impressions - not their technique as I am not capable of seeing all the particulars of that. Their costumes were not very attractive either - no colors except black, white, a somber gold and maybe a brown... What happened to the Spanish dancer's red? Instead the dancer who had the lead in the Spanish Princess's dance had a white romantic tutu with black swirls placed strategically over each breast so that she reminded me either of some sort of Valkyrie or a stripper. It was very distracting to see these bulls eyes on her bodice! In my opinion there not much "life" was shown by the dancers. I didn't detect any joy or electricity... I happen to like Swan Lake and this one just didn't have any drama that seemed believable in it...the "acting" was seriously lacking on Saturday night. I also found it a bit presumptuous to read in the program that he was "considered the greatest living choreographer in the world today"! As I said, maybe it was an off night Paul...I hope so.

Cargill, what makes you say Swan Lake was so terrible? I saw them do it last summer and really enjoyed it, although I did think the end where they jump off into the lake was a bit much! Because I don't have a long history of watching ballet, I don't know what ABT was like before...and I would like to know what it is that people do not like about McKenzie's approach.

Cargill, what makes you say Swan Lake was so terrible? I saw them do it last summer and really enjoyed it, although I did think the end where they jump off into the lake was a bit much! Because I don't have a long history of watching ballet, I don't know what ABT was like before...and I would like to know what it is that people do not like about McKenzie's approach.

As Casloan wrote: I'm not certain that I can say it's rare, although after last night maybe I can! However, I can say that it certainly makes a big difference! That connection is part of what a performance is all about...to me, anyway. Last night we attended The Grigorovich Ballet's version of Swan Lake - it was convienent... Well, it was not very good. From my ballet dancing daughter's point of view, the technique was sorely lacking - the men didn't point their toes, the very young woman that played Odette/Odile was not well turned out - apparently only one side was somewhat...etc. From my point of view, which is more of a gut level response type, it just was missing "something"....Odette just didn't have the pathos needed for her role...she was better as Odile.... Only about one of the princesses showed that she was trying to attract the Prince! Without going any farther, my point is that I think that I am "spoiled" having seen NYCB and ABT's versions and this was just plain boring. Afraid to say that this production lost on both counts!

As Casloan wrote: I'm not certain that I can say it's rare, although after last night maybe I can! However, I can say that it certainly makes a big difference! That connection is part of what a performance is all about...to me, anyway. Last night we attended The Grigorovich Ballet's version of Swan Lake - it was convienent... Well, it was not very good. From my ballet dancing daughter's point of view, the technique was sorely lacking - the men didn't point their toes, the very young woman that played Odette/Odile was not well turned out - apparently only one side was somewhat...etc. From my point of view, which is more of a gut level response type, it just was missing "something"....Odette just didn't have the pathos needed for her role...she was better as Odile.... Only about one of the princesses showed that she was trying to attract the Prince! Without going any farther, my point is that I think that I am "spoiled" having seen NYCB and ABT's versions and this was just plain boring. Afraid to say that this production lost on both counts!

I can imagine a number of people here have been up to Saratoga in July to see NYCB. I have contacted the chamber of commerce, and they did send me a long list....but I was wondering if anyone had any suggestion based on their own experiences? Thanks!

Not to drag this off topic, but I recall reading about those Guild trips and thinking: "someday"....and then when I looked they were gone *poof*!? I'm really looking forward to visiting my daughter up there this summer while she is attending NYSSSA - can't wait to finally see the ballet out of doors!

Oh, Michael what a picture you paint! :eek: And paint it very well you did. When I am in the city, I am always looking at the architecture from the past - and pointing it out to the lucky person who is with me! One of these days, I am finally going to go on one of those walking tours...I want to start with the Upper West Side.

Boy, Alexandra, if ever there was an example of "less is more"! ...And there endeth the sermon!

Having grown up listening to the music, I had really planned on getting tickets and taking my daughter to see it - she's had the pleasure ;) of listening to me sing parts of it for years.... However, when I heard that Agnes deMille's choreography had been taken out - I was stunned! I also read that the whole Jud thing was given a slightly more obvious twist and felt it wouldn't really be so great for a budding, but naive, adolescent! Changing these classics just seems sacrilegious....and yet, I enjoyed Sylvie G's Giselle last summer when La Scala paid a visit to Licoln Center.... Perhaps this is why so many ballet lovers were upset by her version? When is it "OK" to change things and when is it not?

I will have to read the article in The New Yorker...haven't yet, but have read about it in the NY Times whenever they run their sequels on the ongoing saga. I'm with FF, who obviously has a long history and thus a very good view of the whole topic! It might be interesting to see an accurate demographic study on where subscribers live, and where everyone else lives too! Personally, I love Lincoln Center - it's a great location for those of us "hardy" souls who brave the Henry Hudson and travel in by car! ;) Now that's another story - transportation or the lack thereof - if only we had better mass transportation - how about a train line that goes in on the West side? Lincoln Center is beautiful to my eyes - even if I never attend another opera - I know it's right there if I want it... I love the fountain in the warm weather and love to see all the people milling around; the reflecting pool, the glass walls of the Met; Avery Fischer Hall, the Vivian Beaumont tucked away; the Performing Arts Library; the confusing underground walkways...alright, they could fix them up a bit and get rid of that grungy ambiance ;)... I like having it all right there - I love the open space that's filled with music and people in the summer and the Christmas tree in the winter decorated with musical instruments.... To me it's a great venue for visiting ballet companies and although I don't like tripping over people's feet as I slowly make my way to my seat - it's a small price to pay.... Speaking of which - perhaps it's the cost of the tickets that is more of a problem for those who don't attend? I know there's always the fourth ring and a good pair of binoculars...but isn't that a bit like saying "let them eat cake"? I think that if the companies considered offering reduced ticket prices several days a season, it might attract those that often think briefly about attending but put it out of their minds due to the price of a ticket. I also believe that it's the tendency of many to discount the arts in general that is the fault here - not the architecture, or the location thereof...and I agree with FF that "a giant plastic bag" won't do the trick either! It's the open space that I love!

I was just thinking about that other thread that asks why people dance... Since I am not a dancer I couldn't really answer it ...I said that thanks to my daughter, we now try to go to the ballet as often as possible. What if she'd gotten hooked on gymnastics, or amphibians...or ? Would I have taken up "the cause" no matter what, just to be a good parent? I'm not sure about that...I'm not really a lover of amphibians. In trying to remember what it was I first saw, I'm stumped. I just know that it seemed to me to be the best of everything - to see these phenominal dancers on stage with some of the greatest music! What more could a person ask for? But I guess I'm preaching to the choir, as they say.... How do you think it is that there are people who can actually fall sound asleep while sitting there?!