Which dancers? What program? for the Obamas, first big White House cultural event? Options

[Hans]

How about a ballet by Christopher Wheeldon? Either something he's already done or a new one. Perhaps Dance Theatre of Harlem could be brought back to life to perform it.

[carbro]

I bristle at the thought of a program consisting entirely of blatant Americana, but conspicuously missing from this thread is Revelations, which is American and universal at once. It embodies some important themes enumerated in the new president's inaugural address: sacrifice, community, and hope.

Bouder as Stars' Liberty Bell is a must!

Also, Esplanade, which never fails to delight, even when the actual performance is less than polished.

[bart]

Didn't Balanchine and Arthur Mitchell do a ballet to Jazz Band music? I think it included the Dance Theater of Harlem? That would be something!

And having the Ailey Co. in Revelations. Yes!

Wheeldon too. What would people suggest from his choreography and/or company?

[kfw]

Didn't Balanchine and Arthur Mitchell do a ballet to Jazz Band music? I think it included the Dance Theater of Harlem? That would be something!

Bart, at first I wondered if you were thinking of Ragtime, with its score by Stravinsky, for Mitchell and Farrell, or Clarinade, with a score by Morton Gould for Benny Goodman, which Farrell danced with Anthony Blum, both of which you probably saw.

But you must be thinking of "Concerto for Jazz Band and Orchestra." From Anna Kisselgoff in 2000:

In 1971, Mr. Mitchell and Balanchine choreographed ''Concerto for Jazz Band and Orchestra,'' named after its 1954 score by Rolf Liebermann. Dancers from both companies were integrated through half of the ballet. But Balanchine was criticized for stereotyping because the jazzier sections were given to the Harlem dancers.

[cubanmiamiboy]

A strong presence of dancers who've come from other countries (Cuba, Russia, etc.) to live and work as "Americans" would seem essential, though some I suppose would rather see American-trained dancers only.

bart...the one problem with that being the HUGE percent that would be out of a chance...(wouldn't dare to give a number, but I just took a look at MCB's list of Principals and... (IMG:http://ballettalk.invisionzone.com/style_emoticons/default/speechless-smiley-003.gif) )

[bart]

Cristian, you're right. I shouldn't have said "American trained." What I meant was, dancers who've had careers here in the US. Same was true in the old Ballet Theater days, when you think about it.

kfw, thanks for mentioning those ballets. It was Concerto for Jazz Band and Orchestra I was thinking of. It could bring an awful lot of fun to a White House program (if I remember it right) and could balance the more serious Revelations.

[Kathleen O'C...]

I bristle at the thought of a program consisting entirely of blatant Americana, but conspicuously missing from this thread is Revelations, which is American and universal at once. It embodies some important themes enumerated in the new president's inaugural address: sacrifice, community, and hope.

Bouder as Stars' Liberty Bell is a must!

Also, Esplanade, which never fails to delight, even when the actual performance is less than polished.

Yes to both Revelations and Esplanade, and yes the "Americana" theme definitely runs the risk of being lame or kitschy or both at once, if such a thing is possible.

There was a telecast of Revelations (with Jamison) many many moons ago and it's surely time for another. I think Esplanade may have made its way to the small screen as well; it's one of those works that may work much, much better in the theater than on TV simply because of the sheer thrill and physicality of the catches and of the dancers hitting the floor, but it does make everyone happy, as it should.

[Hans]

I love both Revelations and Esplanade when performed by modern dancers. (IMG:http://ballettalk.invisionzone.com/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Ballet dancers generally don't have good enough technique.