Letter from New York
9 February 2004.
Copyright © 2004 by
Mindy Aloff
published 9 January 2004
“How
can we know the dancer from the dance?,” Yeats asked rhetorically,
implying that the distinction is impossible. And he was right, in the
sense that dancing, when it is great, erases the difference between performance
and choreography: it really does look as if the performer is making everything
up on the spot. Of course, the dance critic’s more practical answer
is, “See two casts.” The dance is whatever survives both of
them. Yet this presumes that, apart from the exchange of performers, all
the other elements of theatrical production stay the same.
read letter
read past Letters from New York
Designs That Pack a Punch
Jewels
New York City Ballet
New York State Theater
New York, NY
January 31, 2004
by
Susan Reiter
copyright 2004 by Susan Reiter
published 9 February 2004
Although
it was Susan Stroman's Double Feature that was supposed to be
NYCB's nod to Broadway this season, it was when the curtain rose on Rubies,
the central portion of George Balanchine's stunning tryptich, that
a truly Broadway moment occurred: the audience applauded the scenery.
There were even a few scattered "bravo"s, and the ballet did
not begin for several seconds.
read review
Russian Romance
Doug
Varone and Dancers
The Joyce Theater
New York, NY
February 3&6, 2004
by
Nancy Dalva
copyright
2004 by Nancy Dalva
Doug
Varone's two programs at the Joyce Theatre last week were exhilarating
because he has accomplished a synthesis of his dance origins
(José Limón and Lar Lubovitch) and the contemporary vernacular
(postmodernism) he has long favored. (He founded his own company in 1986).
His new work called Castles plays on all current strengths, which
include great duet-making, a knack for the small telling gesture, the
parlaying of the interpenetration of forms sinto metaphor, and an ecomical
allusiveness typical of short story writers.
read article
What's On This Week?
Balanchine 100th Birthday Events:
February
10-15 (Opened in November)
New York City Ballet
The company's Balanchine Centennial Celebration continues with three more
performances of the master's abstract three-acter, the sublime Jewels.
In addition to new sets by Peter Harvey, former NYCB principal and current
Mariinsky star Igor Zelensky guests in Diamonds on Thursday and Saturday
matinee. The rest of the week is taken by Coppelia, with Jenifer
Ringer and Megan Fairchild - in her New York debut
- in the title role. 2/10 at 8pm, 2/11 at 8pm, 2/12 at 8pm, 2/13 at
8pm, 2/14 at 8pm, 2/14 at 2pm, 2/15 at 3pm.
New York State Theater Lincoln Center 66th Street and Broadway 212-870-5570
www.nycballet.com
February
10-29 and April 27-June 27 (opened January 6)
The Balanchine Centennial Exhibition at New York City Ballet
George Balanchine's career is covered in a photography exhibit curated
by
company veteran Edward Bigelow.
New York State Theater Lincoln Center 66th Street and Broadway 212-870-5570
www.nycballet.com
February
10-March 7 (Opened December 6)
A Celebration of George Balanchine:
Selected Television Work George Balanchine took full advantage of the
advent of television, and many of his greatest works - and performances
of his dancers - have been captured on video. In this 100th-year anniversary
of the great choreographer's birthday, The Museum of Television &
Radio presents a series of showings of some incredible footage. The sixth
installment, shown from 2/10-15, is calledGreat Moments from Great
Performances, which includes Serenade (Kistler, Nichols,
Calegari, et al.), Western Symphony (Roy, Soto, Saland, LaFosse,
Alexopoulos, Boal, et al.), and Theme
and Variations (Kirkland, Baryshnikov). (197890; 85 minutes)
Screening
Times: Tuesdays to Sunday at 12:30 pm Evening Screenings:
Thursdays at 6pm The Museum of Television & Radio 25 West
52 Street 212-621-6800
February
10-April 24 (Opened December 10)
The Enduring Legacy of George Balanchine
A multi-media exhibit celebrating the 100th anniversary of the birth of
George Balanchine. It features photographs, designs, manuscript music
and correspondence, costumes, set pieces, and models, along with showings
of videotaped performances and rehearsals. The New York Public
Library for the Performing Arts Donald and Mary Oenslager Gallery
40 Lincoln Center Plaza 212-870-1630
Ballet and Dance Events:
February
9
Configuration: A Ballet for the 21st Century
Dancers Catherine Batcheller and Joseph Cipolla present their group in
New
York for the first time in works by Harrison McEldowney, Peter Quanz,
Thaddeus Davis and Edwaard Liang. Heather Hamilton, Liang, Juan
Rodriguez, Olivier Wecxsteen and Bonnie Pickard perform. At 8pm.
Symphony Space
2537 Broadway at 95th Street
212-864-5400
February
9
Movement Research at the Judson Church
This week's forum for experimentation and works-in-progress features a
performance
by Deborah Hay. At 8pm
55 Washington Square South at Thompson Street
212-539-2611
February
10-15
Elisa Monte Dance
This group returns with two programs and the world premiere of Shekhina.
The performances include Monte's signature work Treading, the
revival of 1987's men's quartet Dextra Dei, and last year's homage to
artist Josef Albers, Light Lies.
The Joyce Theater 175 Eighth Ave. at 19th St. 212-242-0880 www.joyce.org
February
11
Harambee Dance Company
A program of African-American dance and music.
At 12pm.
Triangle
Theater
Long Island University
1 University Plaza, Brooklyn
718-488-1051
February
11, 12, 20 and 21
Peggy Piacenza
Piacenza's For Whom Am I is performed, with an original score
by Fredrith and painted animation by Kristin Varner.
At 7pm.
Dance
Theater Workshop
219 West 19th Street between Seventh and Eighth avenues
February
11-15
Rebecca Kelly Ballet
The company performs the premiere of Reves, as well as Winter
Spice Collection
and Those Who Must Be Kept. 2/11-14 at 8pm, 2/14 at 3pm.
The Duke on 42nd Street
229 West 42nd Street
212-239-6200
February
12
Art of Courtship
The New York Baroque Dance Company
A Valentine Day's celebration of dance from 18th century Europe performed
to period music and costumed dancers.
Winter Garden
World Financial Center
220 Vesey Street between North End Avenue and West Street 212-945-0505
www.worldfinancialcenter.com
February
12-13
Headlong Dance Theater and Arrow Dance Communication
The two groups, one from Philadelphia, the other from Japan, collaborate
in You Are So Beautiful.
Japan Society
333 East 47th Street
212-752-3015
www.japansociety.org
February
12-14
Wow Moves Dance Fest
Jen Abrams and Eva Lawrence perform As I was Saying; New Dances Wow Cafe
Theater 59-61 East 4th Street between Bowery and Second Avenue 4th Floor
212-777-4280
February
12-14
2004 Winter Dance Project
Collen Thomas and Bill Young perform Pomegranate Sue and the
Tin Man.
The Puffin Room
435 Broome Street between Broadway and Crosby Street 212-343-2881
February
12-15
Cherylyn Lavagnino Dance
Encounters, choreographed by Cherylyn Lavagnino, is an evening of contemporary
ballet with original music composed by Scott Killian and Andy
Teirstein.
St. Mark's Church in the Bowery
Second Avenue at 10th Street
212-674-8194
February
13-15
InnerLandscapes Dance Theater Collective
Nomi Bachar, Amy Kail, Sasha Spielvogel, and Kathryn Sullivan
offer a program that features original music by Matt Aiken; guest appearances
by Martin Lofsnes and Elizabeth Auclair (of the Martha Graham
Company); a work based on a Dorothy Parker story; and a medley of
Yiddish swing.
Joyce Soho
155 Mercer Street between Houston and Prince Streets 212-334-7479
February
13-22
Thunderbird American Indian Dancers
At 8pm, 215 at 5pm.
Theater for the New City
155 First Avenue at 10th Street
212-254-1109
February
14
Dance Conservatory Performance Project
A presentation of Medea and new works
. At 7:30 pm. Florence
Gould Hall
55 East 59th Street
212-355-6160
— Dale
Brauner
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