Category: dance

The letters of a young Margot Fonteyn, just released, are part of an exhibition that tells, “through photographs, letters, descriptions and a short documentary film by Lynne Wake, the story of seven intense and formative years in the company’s history.”

“Given its culturally rich and tumultuous landscape, small wonder that F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 semiautobiographical novel, ‘The Great Gatsby,’ has been a favorite for adaptation among playwrights, composers and film producers. The period oozes potential, especially as populated with Fitzgerald’s eccentric characters, most of them rich, spoiled and imperious.” Now to dancce…

“With 9 songs and 27 dancers, the result is equal parts Busby Berkeley spectacle, political jeremiad and rock opera, a collection of songs that form an essay on war and incipient environmental apocalypse. Young, athletic bodies are sent off to kill and die. The earth is electronically set for destruction. Dire biblical prophecies and the grave warnings of Indian chiefs ring true.”

Mired in a labor dispute with its former orchestral musicians and hampered by a $2.75 million debt, the Atlanta Ballet has hired Barry Hughson as its executive director. The company hasn’t had an exec director to handle the business side of things since 2003.

“Glen Tetley, an American choreographer long popular in Europe whose pioneering fusion of ballet and modern dance challenged taboos and rattled purists but influenced major companies worldwide, died on Friday in West Palm Beach, Fla.”

David Bintley has had a rough decade and a half. “Almost 16 years ago he choreographed one of the costliest flops in the Royal Ballet’s history, and ever since then he’s been plotting the moment when the world would give him the chance to try again.”

“Ballet may be the last frontier for black dancers, long prominent in jazz, tap and even modern dance, with its early connections to socially progressive ideals. Is the scarcity of African Americans in ballet due to economic barriers or a bias toward white European ideals? And what should be done about it? The answers depend on the particular dancer’s experience.”

“The label buys into the racial divide in America: ‘white dance’ versus ‘black dance.’ But we’re a culture of sound bites and shortcuts. It’s so easy to say ‘black dance’ and think people know what you’re talking about. If black choreographers are doing anything and everything in dance, ‘black dance’ is a misnomer.”

Memphis Ballet has won a grant to study the plight of mid-size dance companies. “In the last year, four ballet companies in medium-sized cities have closed: Ballet International of Indianapolis, Ohio Ballet, Oakland Ballet, and Ballet Pacifica of Riverside (California). Dance companies nationwide are shortening their seasons, canceling productions, and downsizing in an effort to remain viable.”

“Perhaps he’s feeling caught–or trapped–by the toll his advancing years have taken on his ability to perform. Like every great dancer (and he certainly was one), the power of his dance personality comes through whatever he does and whatever the condition of his body. However, Morris’ current bulkiness–or, if you prefer, portliness–now keeps him from dancing full-out and presents a picture that takes some getting used to.”