Rock

Was Damara Bennett good friends with Sean Lavery?

Mr. Balanchine died in 1983 - that's 37 years ago. There were hundreds of dancers who worked for him, many of whom became stagers, ballet masters, teachers, and directors. His legacy was passed on as carefully as has been possible. Every major ballet company in the world performs his ballets. Some minor things may have evolved here and there but in general those stagings are amazingly faithful to the originals as are the works presented by the NYCB. There's also a change in the viewers. It's a different time, they've seen a lot of other ballets in the meantime, society has changed, expectations have changed, dancers have become stronger and more technically proficient. But none of those factors reflect diminished performances. It's hard to imagine how shocking and new Agon must have seemed in 1957. It can't shock like that anymore, but it has other pleasures to offer. With the advent of film those are probably the most recorded ballets in history. They may evolve somewhat, and maybe that's a good thing - to keep them relevant - but there's no danger of them actually being lost.

I liked the Justin Peck piece. I was afraid it was going to be sentimental but it wasn't. And they DANCED! And the camera had  a point of view - there was an idea there. It's the only one of these pieces I liked. It may have been outside and they were in tennis shoes, but they looked like and presented themselves as ballet dancers. And it had steps. And they moved.  I don't really get this thing with the modern choreographers. Where are the ballet people? 

Has anyone watched these new works on NYCB Digital Fall Season? I'm curious as to reactions. So far they've presented Sidra Bell and Pam Tanowitz. 

It's a bit confusing to me that the company would announce the addition of Chun Wai Chan at a point when they're not going to perform for another year. Does he keep his job in Houston in the meantime? Seems a bit of limbo.

There's quite a bit of Chun Wai Chan on Youtube. He appears to be in the almost-six-foot range and he's an experienced partner as well as a beautiful, elegant dancer. My guess is he's going to prove to be very useful. 

Susie Hendl was one of those behind-the-scenes, unsung heroes of the ballet who had enormous influence with generations of dancers. Her eye and her taste were unmatched. She also had a manner of working with dancers that, in a very subtle way, communicated you can do this, you're going to be good. She strengthened their self confidence - men as well as women. She'd been a ravishing dancer herself, but it was her contributions in the studio and at stage rehearsals that made such a difference to so many dancers. She will be greatly missed. 

What do you mean it had no impact to their careers? Catazaro was too traumatized to return to the company. He went to Europe to find work. You call that no impact? Ramasar had to deal with protesters outside WSS picketing. Were there comments from Catazaro posted in the lawsuits? I didn't see that. Waterbury didn't need to "protect" them, she attacked them. She paid nothing; their lawyer fees are staggering. 

It's not true that she has no victims. Nor that all the men in the lawsuit have great careers. Finlay did this to himself, but the other careers are compromised. This has been traumatic for everyone involved. Whether the NYCB or the SAB have money isn't, or shouldn't be, the issue. "August institutions"? They were dragged thru the mud, it was so bad the dancers had to defend themselves from the stage. It's amazing you take those accusations and lawsuits so casually. "Big whoop." Like it's nothing. It's not nothing. It's humiliating and damaging. They would have just cause for suing her back.  

They'll live? There was a tremendous amount of negative press about both organizations, who had no part in this. Articles about the wisdom of sending little girls to these ballet schools. It was awful. And that's what people remember - not the part about those lawsuits being thrown out. That didn't get so much press did it? It's not nearly as much fun to write about. Waterbury ruined careers and lives. Intentionally. What about her victims?  

She may have been sexually abused by Chase Finlay, but I don't think she was by anyone else - certainly not by the NYCB or the school. The damage to the prestige and dignity of those organizations is permanent. 

What Waterbury didn't get is any money, and there are those who think that's what she was after.

For display purposes during a pandemic is not a good reason. To have a record of your own work, how it looked, how it was done, is a  good reason. 

I believe Maria Tallchief was 5'4". She was not a tall ballerina like Diana Adams. 

Good Heavens - how interesting. Thank you for posting that.

Sorry - suspended, terminated, declared redundant, whatever word you choose. It's disheartening and sad. 

Does anybody get this? If there are "no matters to pursue" against him why is he suspended?

I think that belittles those women. They're not exceptions to any rule. 

Vipa - in regards to your "it's almost always a he" comment, there's Aurelie Dupont, Karen Kain, Tamara Rojo, Victoria Morgan, Lourdes Lopez, Colleen Neary, Julie Kent, Patricia Barker, Virginia Johnson, Emily Molnar, Dorothy Pugh, Carine Binda.....

2 hours ago, Leah said:

When the Manhattan DA declined to prosecute, it was because they could not find evidence independently of what Waterbury had saved.

Could someone clarify where this complaint stands? What happens when the DA declines to prosecute? I assume this case is ongoing so I'm confused. It hasn't been dropped has it? I would understand if they couldn't find evidence about involvement of the NYCB or SAB, but surely those pictures and emails would be sufficient to continue a case against Finlay (and possibly Ramasar) - no?

I totally agree with cubanmiamiboy. Lack of production values, the panorama in particular, is why Balanchine never did a Sleeping Beauty - which he apparently wanted very much to do. 

I don't agree with nanushka about Midsummers. It's a beautiful, evocative production, the story is amusingly, very clearly, and succinctly presented - and then in the time honored fashion the 2nd Act is given over to dancing. And that on a sublime level.

No report on whether or not the Tsch Pas was there?

3 hours ago, Leah said:

There have to be some discussions going on, not least because it seems like they are trying to phase out Martins altogether. But it’s probably going to be very expensive to do a whole new full length production, and the lack of promotions make me think that money is probably scarce nowadays.

There are other reasons to hold off on promotions. Balance, getting top heavy, sometimes dancers look promising and then they get promoted and level out. Sometimes promotions work, sometimes not so well

I hope this isn't an overly jaundiced view of Ms Waterbury, but it was indicated earlier that she'd wanted Maxwell to come along with her complaint because having a company member join her would strengthen her position that the company was at fault in this. Continually going after Ramasar seems related in my view. Chase has disappeared. Magically not a factor any longer. And I wonder if it's all about money. She was clear the NYCB was the pot at the end of the rainbow for her. Ramasar, 'tho currently on B'way, is still associated with NYCB. I think Waterbury's focus is the company and there might be less passion and more calculation here. Her lawyer might even be encouraging her to make these associations. 

I'm amazed that people choose to believe Waterbury but not Maxwell. Waterbury's statements are fact but Maxwell's are accusations. Ramasar was never accused of "rape" far as I know.