Haglund's Heel

OMG! Haglund's Heel Wins International Award!

Haglund's Heel has won The Ballet Bag's 2009 Award for "the coolest ballet campaign of the year" in recognition of our undying, grass-roots-turned-international-soon-to-go-viral campaign to bring Sir Kenneth MacMillan's masterpiece Mayerling to ABT in New York.  We would like to thank The Ballet Bag's Academy for this honor.  Of course, we could not have come this far without the support of so many – way too many to thank everyone individually, but you know who you are.  

And congratulations to the other winners, especially those in the neighborhood:  Swan Lake Samba Girl and Mr. Wolcott over at Vanity Fair for their coverage of the glorious and ultimate ballerina, Veronika Part.  

This is all so wonderful.  Thank you, thank you, thank you to The Ballet Bag.  But did someone forget to tell Haglund where the Awards Dinner Party is going to be?  

If we wish for it, it will come:

A little more Nutcracker.

Over on Ranting Details, Matthew Murphy has a few photos from the Nutcracker in his hometown of Missoula.  The Garden City Ballet's production this year featured ABT's lovely Stella Abrera and Sascha Radetsky as Sugarplum Fairy and her Cavalier.  The last photo of Stella is a keeper – beautiful image, beautiful pose, beautiful costume, and a beautiful face born to be Sugarplum.  Can't wait for the new Ratmansky Nutcracker next year.  Hope it includes tutus and mice.

Speaking of mice, Matt captured what can only be described as terminal mouse sass in this photo on the GCB's website.

MLB Trade Fantasy

Yes, yes, yes, it's the Major League Ballet trading season again.  Armchair team managers everywhere are speculating about free agencies, draft picks, and about who in their right mind would let the World Series MVP slip through their fingers.  

Haglund has heard back from some of the people who took his advice and watched the San Francisco Ballet's The Nutcracker on PBS today and then spent a few minutes examining the SFB website's video section that highlights its principal dancers.  There definitely seems to be a consensus building that one of our teams in New York needs to sign Davit Karapetyan ASAP.  He is clearly a New York style guy and should bring his enormous talent and glamour to The Big Apple where it can be drooled over by the masses and properly exploited.

Here's what Haglund proposes.  In exchange for Karapetyan, we'll send ABT soloist Cory Stearns, who is guesting this weekend in SFB's The Nutcracker, and two players from the ABT II minor league squad to San Francisco.  Conceivably, we could agree to throw in that little David Alvarez, too, but we would need to have him back in three years.  So that part would just be a loan.  We could also give up Aszure Barton's One of Three, but Helgi Tomasson probably wouldn't see that as doing much for his team and might even consider it as some kind of trick designed to alienate the core audience and make it less likely that SFB would make the Playoffs next year.  We could give it a try, though.   

Next on the agenda:  how to get Edward Watson in pinstripes – for a few games, at least.

PBS – San Francisco Ballet's The Nutcracker

Is it Haglund's imagination, or did that Davit Karapetyan become more delicious since the exact same broadcast last year?  See for yourself on the company's website that features each of the principals in beautiful video clips.

Haglund loves the San Francisco Ballet's PBS production of The Nutcracker.  Inventive and creative concept, gorgeous sets and costumes, incredible dancers.  The Rat King, for his teeth and hairy body alone, is to die for.  His starring scene captivates the viewer when not only the Christmas tree grows taller and taller, but all of the scenery and characters become enormous leaving little Clara completely overwhelmed.  

San Francisco Ballet's The Nutcracker, which aired last night on PBS, is going to be repeated this week.  Check local listings.  It's scheduled on New York's PBS Channel 13 for Christmas Eve. 

Helgi Tomasson's production takes place around the Panama-Pacific International Exposition – 1915 World's Fair in San Francisco and finds many of its themes in the Palace of Fine Arts and the Palace of Horticulture.  While the choreography may not be compelling in places, it all comes together to create a unique and very believable fantasy and a world that the viewer yearns to be part of - if only for an evening.

By the way, the San Francisco Ballet performs Fokine's Petrouchka March 2-7, 2010 and John Neumeier's The Little Mermaid (for adults only) March 20-28, 2010 at the War Memorial Opera House.

NYCB – The Nutcracker – 12/20 Matinee

No measly twelve inches of snow can keep diehard Nutcracksters from their appointed rounds.  In fact, they arrived early today for the 1:00 matinee at the New York City Ballet.  The lobby of the Koch Theater was packed at 12:10 when Haglund arrived – packed with kids, adults, adults with kids, adults with their own parents, people on crutches, people with walkers and canes, a pregnant woman past her due date, Republicans and Democrats.  At a souvenir table, a father was stuffing one of everything into his shopping bag and throwing money at the clerk, “Who does that Sarah Kaufman think she is.”   The public was out in force making a statement. 

And, indeed, it was a very enjoyable performance.  At the outset,  Haglund wants to say that his ears have never heard a more beautiful violin solo in Act 1 than he heard today from soloist Nicolas Danielson –  achingly beautiful notes that made you close your eyes and slow your breathing.  At its conclusion and before the audience could even get its hands together for its sustained applause, Danielson’s colleagues in the pit were stomping and clanking their music stands in admiration and appreciation.  As a whole, the orchestra sounded great today.

Act I included the familiar Maria Gorokhov as Marie and Jeremy Wong as Fritz.  Both delivered lively performances with the professional polish developed from years of experience in this production.  Jonathan Alexander as the Nephew/Nutcracker Prince gave it a very good shot and should be commended for his mimed summation of the Battle of the Mice.  And oh what a battle it was.  The Mouse King, portrayed by the wickedly handsome Henry Seth, very nearly pulled off a coup with his mice-troops.  He was about to slice his sword through the Nutcracker Prince when, once again this year, THE BUNNY appeared out of nowhere to grab the Mouse King’s tail and yank it with such force that the other mice froze in their tracks horrified.  Horrified.  “Oh the Ratmanity!”  they cried out.  The Bunny, observing the crumbling mice-troops, exclaimed with his fists, “My work here is done!” and like a shooting star, ran a wide circle downstage and disappeared into the dark wings to try desperately to grow into a Party Scene costume by next year.

Don’t wanna forget – Excellent soldiering from Giovanni Villalobos, especially the flexed-footed batterie and tours.

Act II brought us Sugarplum Fairy Kaitlyn Gilliland and Cavalier Jonathan Stafford.  Sugarplum addressed the technical challenges with great skill and expertise.  It is just amazing to watch those long legs and feet assemble and disassemble with such clarity and security, particularly during the fiendish partnering sequences.   And while concentration and focus are to be admired, a Sugarplum shouldn’t let them interfere with her rapport with the audience.  The audience is not a studio mirror, and there are lots of people seated above the orchestra level.  The Sugarplum needs to show the audience how much she loves what she is doing, and loves the music, and above all loves her Cavalier.  The Cavalier’s eyes searched for the Sugarplum’s eyes throughout their PdD, but hers were rarely there for him.  More confidence, more joy, Sugarplum - you’re entitled.

The Cavalier was superb in every way today.  His partnering of a very tall Sugarplum was confident and close to perfectly executed.  His variation was space devouring.  His turns in a la seconde were rapid and neat.  His demeanor was princely.  He and the Sugarplum looked very attractive together as they certainly would in a Swan Lake or Sleeping Beauty.

Sterling Hyltin’s Dew Drop was linear and highly kinetic whereas the Flowers in front of whom she danced moved with a more rounded, quasi-romantic quality.   Haglund doesn’t like to see Dew Drop performed like it’s a Theme and Variations spectacular.  However, he likes Sterling’s artistic choices in much of the rest of the repertory.

All of the Sweets in the Land of Sweets danced with great spirit, especially Allen Peiffer as the Candy Cane.   It was a terrific afternoon and a completely delightful Nutcracker – probably around Haglund’s 100th – one version or another over all these decades.  Too bad Sarah couldn’t be there.

All of the dancing was absolutely terrific today, but Haglund must award the Pump Bump to Nicolas Danielson for his exquisite violin solo:

 

Copyright © 2009

Georgina Parkinson – Rest in Peace

She will be missed and missed and missed. . . .

STATEMENT FROM AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE

12/18/2009 - The dancers and staff of American Ballet Theatre sadly note the passing of Ballet Mistress, Georgina Parkinson. Ms. Parkinson, a cherished member of ABT’s Artistic Staff for more than 30 years, died Friday, December 18 after complications from cancer.

Born in Brighton, England, Ms. Parkinson was a highly acclaimed Principal Dancer with The Royal Ballet. She first came to prominence in the title role of Andrée Howard’s La Belle Dame Sans Merci and with her performances as the Gypsy Girl in Two Pigeons and the Wife in Kenneth MacMillan’s The Invitation. With The Royal Ballet, she created several roles including Rosaline in MacMillan’s Romeo and Juliet, Winifred Norbury in Sir Frederick Ashton’s Enigma Variations, the second movement in Monotones and Chloë in John Cranko’s production of Daphnis and Chloë with the Stuttgart Ballet. Her last created role as a dancer was the Empress Elisabeth in MacMillan’s Mayerling, marking the end of her career with The Royal Ballet.

Parkinson was appointed Ballet Mistress with American Ballet Theatre in 1978. With ABT she has also performed the roles of the Stepmother in Agnes de Mille’s Fall River Legend, Madame Larina in Onegin, the Countess Sybille in Raymonda, Lady Capulet in Romeo and Juliet, the Queen in The Sleeping Beauty and the Queen Mother in Swan Lake. She created the role of Mrs. Harriman in Twyla Tharp’s Everlast and a leading role in Robert Hill’s Reverie.      

Photo by Roy Round

From the NYT's archives.

Here's a link to a wonderful article about Georgina that Dance Magazine published in 1994.  It was written by Hilary Ostlere.

On DanceAdvance.org, there is an article about Georgina by Bill Bissell which originally appeared in the Fall 2005 issue of Dance Now as well as his interview with her from June 2004.

Heartfelt sympathies to Georgina's family and to all of ABT.  She will be greatly missed.   We have so many wonderful memories of her stirring performances, including her emotional Lady Capulet in recent years.  No one brought the curtain down on Act II like Georgina. 

La Danse: The Paris Opera Ballet – Updated schedule includes return to NYC

Zipporah Films has updated and somewhat changed its schedule for the U.S. showings of this remarkable film.  New Yorkers, note that it returns today to the Quad Cinema on 13th Street (times – 12:55 3:45 6:30 9:15 – $11; $8 for children and seniors).

As of today:

OPENING DECEMBER 18TH:
Memphis, TN- Studio on the Square
Durham, NC- Carolina Theater
Newport, RI- Jane Pickens Theater
Sacramento, CA- Crest 3
Boston- The Coolidge
Stamford, CT- Avon Theater
New York City- Quad Cinema
Rochester, NY- Little Theater
Harrisburg, PA- Midtown
Santa Fe- CCA
Kansas City- Tivoli 3
Lake Worth, FL- Playhouse
Palm Beach Gardens, FL- Mos'Art
Miami- Miami Beach Cinematheque
Coral Gables, FL- Cosford Cinema
Ft. Lauderdale, FL- Cinema Paradiso

OPENING DECEMBER 19TH:
Olympia, WA- Capitol Theater
Lakewood Ranch, FL- Lakewood Ranch

OPENING DECEMBER 22ND:
Vancouver, Canada- Vancity

OPENING CHRISTMAS DAY:
Wilmington, DE- Theater N
Boston, MA- Stuart Street Playhouse
Hartford, CT- Real Art Ways
New Haven, CT- Criterion
Denver, CO- Starz Film Center
Key West, FL- Tropic Cinema

OPENING DECEMBER 26TH:
Wilmington, NC- Thalian Hall

OPENING DECEMBER 30TH:
Hunter, NY- Mountain Cinema/Catskill Mtn. Found

OPENING NEW YEAR'S DAY:
Columbia, MO- Rag Tag
Salt Lake City, UT- Tower
Tucson, AZ- Loft Cinema
Omaha, NE- Film Streams
Waterville, ME- Railroad Square

OPENING JANUARY 2ND:
Cleveland- Cleveland Museum of Art

OPENING JANUARY 8TH:
Tallahassee, FL- Tallahassee Film Society

OPENING JANUARY 13TH:
Columbia, SC- Nickelodeon

OPENING JANUARY 15TH:
Austin, TX- Arbor 8
Houston, TX- Angelika
Dallas, TX- Angelika
Ashland, OR- Varsity
Hanover, NH- Hopkins Film Center

OPENING JANUARY 16TH:
Albuquerque, NM- Guild Cinema

OPENING JANUARY 17th:
Nevada City, CA- Nevada Theater

OPENING JANUARY 20TH:
Santa Barbara, CA- UCSB Arts & Lectures

OPENING JANUARY 22ND:
Williamsburg, VA- Kimball Theater

OPENING JANUARY 24TH:
Nashville, TN- Belcourt

OPENING JANUARY 29TH:
Portland, ME- Movies at the Museum

OPENING FEBRUARY 4TH:
Spokane, WA- Spokane Film Fest

OPENING FEBRUARY 5TH:
Atlanta, GA- LeFont Sandy Springs
Detroit, MI- Detroit Film Theater

OPENING FEBRUARY 6TH:
Columbus, OH- Wexner Center

OPENING FEBRUARY 12TH:
Port Townsend, WA- Rose Theater
St. Louis, MO- Webster Film Series

OPENING FEBRUARY 19TH:
Grand Rapids, MI- UICA

OPENING FEBRUARY 27TH:
Boulder, CO- International Film Series
Ithaca, NY- Cornell Cinema

For updates, see Zipporah Films' website.

In Pursuit of Mayerling

Haglund wishes to thank Lady Deborah MacMillan for observing our international campaign to bring Mayerling to ABT and to congratulate her and her team on their beautiful new website which celebrates the life and choreography of Sir Kenneth MacMillan.  Her kind comments are posted here and here, but we thought we should replicate them with a bit more visibility:

I'm glad you like the new website for Christmas - we made it for Kenneth's 80th birthday!

Thank you for your enthusiasm.

While surfing your site, I came across your campaign for 'Mayerling'.

May I put the record straight on a few details?

'Mayerling' may have been made on the Royal Ballet, but I have never decreed that it should stay only with the Royal Ballet.

Budapest built their own production and did a fine performance - and whoever put about the idea that I removed the rights from them?

Vienna has acquired it, did a splendid premiere last year, and revival this.
Other companies are in discussion for future productions.

I'd love Mayerling to come to ABT - after all it's been to New York with the Royal Ballet. But the management of ABT has told me that the New York audience wouldn't understand the story........

Good luck with your campaign!

Deborah MacMillan

So, New York audiences wouldn’t understand the story of Mayerling.  Really, ABT Management?  So we only understand Disneyfied fairytales?   We are too shallow and uninformed to understand an historically-based dance drama?  Haglund politely takes exception – difficult as politeness might be for him in this instance.

New York audiences are as sophisticated as audiences anywhere else in the world.  Witness the productions at the Metropolitan Opera just this year:  Attila - which the Met describes as “the story of civilization’s encounter with barbarism“; Elektra who is self-tortured by obsessions of her mother killing her father; The Nose where a poor guy wakes up to discover his nose is gone (it turns up in a loaf of bread); Simon Boccanegra - a 14th century based political drama; Stiffelio - set in mid 19th  century Austria that explores faith and doubt; From the House of the Dead - about life in a Russian prison camp.  New Yorkers love a good mind-bending, gut-wrenching drama in any form – opera, theater, music,  or ballet. 

Given the benefit of a sensible marketing plan, New York audiences would trample all over one another for an opportunity to see ABT's Mayerling.  How many other productions does ABT have that allow its magnificent male dance-actors to carry the evening?  Not many.  Given the fact that the company employs, arguably, the greatest male dance actors anywhere on the planet today, it is a crime not to provide them with a vehicle that could make them truly legendary.  Given the fact that the company employs the original Empress Elisabeth from the Royal Ballet's first production of Mayerling, it is a crime not to have her pass on that unique Georgina-zing to a new generation of interpreters at ABT.

But there are options.  Yes, there are always options. 

Some other U.S. company could jump at the chance to do Mayerling and do it very well:  San Francisco Ballet, Boston Ballet, or the Joffrey, to name a few, and they could bring their production to New York.  Another option would be for the world to see Marcelo Gomes perform the role of Crown Prince Rudolf as a guest at the Royal Ballet.  How mad would that make New Yorkers at ABT?  Pretty darn mad. 

But the best option, the very best option, is to mount the production at the Brooklyn Academy of Music's beautiful, cozy 2100 seat theater where faces can be seen and world class dance theater can be produced.  If BAM is big enough for ABT’s new Nutcracker, it’s big enough for Mayerling.  That is the best option.  Let’s not allow the opportunity to slip through our fingers.

If we wish for it, it will come.

New Kenneth MacMillan Website!

The MacMillan Estate has launched its fantastic new website.   It contains some rare video footage including a clip of Irek Mukhamedov, Leanne Benjamin and Michael Nunn in the body-chalking / gang effort segment of The Judas Tree and Lynn Seymour and David Wall rehearsing Mayerling with MacMillan and John Lanchbery.  Very powerful stuff.   There is a fascinating 17 minute long clip of Donald MacLeary teaching the Royal Ballet's Edward Watson the Mandolin Solo from Romeo and Juliet.  How valuable will this be to every Romeo on the planet.

You can read an excerpt from Jann Parry's biography of MacMillan Different Drummer: The Life of Kenneth MacMillan, which we still cannot buy in the U.S. but can get on amazon.com.uk if one wants to pay a fortune for shipping.

Congratulations on this beautiful new site.  It is a wonderful Christmas gift to us all. 

If we wish for it, it will come.

On Haglund's Calendar – NYCB Nutcracker 12/20

Ms. Gilliland will be the lovely Sugarplum Fairy at the matinee.  Not to be missed!

SUNDAY MATINEE, DECEMBER 20, 1:00 PM (Conductor: Sill)

SUGARPLUM: Gilliland; CAVALIER: J. Stafford; DEWDROP: Hyltin; HERR DROSSELMEIER: Kramarevsky+; MARZIPAN: Laracey; HOT CHOCOLATE: Pazcoguin, Finaly; COFFEE: Lowery; TEA: Laurent; CANDY CANE: Peiffer;  MOTHER GINGER: Thew; FLOWERS: TBD, Pollack; DOLLS: Brown, Manzi; SOLDIER: Villalobos;  MOUSE KING: Seth; DR & FRAU STAHLBAUM: J. Peck, Hankes