Kay Mazzo has been a symbol of strength and grace in the ballet world since she made her debut with Jerome Robbins’ Ballets USA, while a teenager, in Robbins’ Afternoon of a Faun. George Balanchine hired Mazzo into New York City Ballet shortly thereafter. Her extreme delicacy, musicality and sense of style inspired Balanchine to […]
In a large practice studio inside Lincoln Center’s Koch Theater, Suzanne Farrell watches quietly as New York City Ballet principals Sara Mearns and Russell Janzen work through a series of supported poses. As Janzen kneels to face her, Mearns brushes through to croisé arabesque, extending her leg high behind her. “I wouldn’t penché there,” says […]
In a large practice studio inside Lincoln Center’s Koch Theater, Suzanne Farrell watches quietly as New York City Ballet principals Sara Mearns and Russell Janzen work through a series of supported poses. As Janzen kneels to face her, Mearns brushes through to croisé arabesque, extending her leg high behind her. “I wouldn’t penché there,” says […]
Just before retiring in 2015, Sylvie Guillem appeared on “HARDtalk with Zeinab Badawi,” the BBC’s hard-hitting interview program. Badawi told Guillem, “Clement Crisp of the Financial Times, 14 years ago, described your dancing as vulgar.” Guillem responded, “Yeah, well, he said that. But at the same time, when they asked Margot Fonteyn what she thought […]
Few things are more powerful for promoting ballet performances than captivating trailers—especially in today’s visually-focused, digitally-connected world. We’ve rounded up some eye-catching ads from seasons past and present that not only make us wish we could have seen the show, but also stand alone as short films. Bucharest National Opera’s La Sylphide Magnifying the scarf […]
To celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Damian Woetzel’s leadership at the Vail International Dance Festival, a new four-day event will be held in New York City, November 3–6. Vail Dance Festival: ReMix NYC brings three programs to New York City Center, along with a special lecture/demonstration focused on footwork, hosted by Woetzel. Featured performers include: […]
George Balanchine The first-ever hall of fame honoring performing artists and advocates will open at Lincoln Center in New York City next month. Legends at Lincoln Center: The Performing Arts Hall of Fame will recognize those who have contributed to the Center’s 60-year legacy. The first annual group of six inductees includes Broadway producer Harold […]
This month, as part of its Encores! series, New York City Center premieres Cabin in the Sky, the 1940 musical choreographed by George Balanchine and Katherine Dunham and performed by an all-black cast. Inspired by George Gershwin’s 1935 musical Porgy and Bess, Cabin in the Sky tells the story of a youth named Little Joe […]
The holidays are here and in the dance world, that typically means one thing: Nutcracker season! As a former bunhead, I’d be remiss not to give a shout-out to some of the Nutcracker productions we all know and love. Houston Ballet’s Jared Matthews and Karina Gonzalez dance the Sugar Plum Fairy pas de deux. 10 Nutcrackers That Rock George […]
Darci Kistler (right) rehearsing company members In a black, wide-neck T-shirt bearing the words “Drama Queen,” the legendary Darci Kistler coaches dancers on Peter Martins’ Morgen. “For me, the most important thing is not to put Darci on it,” she says, laughing. The Balanchine muse teaches only the steps and music, she says. Nothing else. She leaves […]