Romeo + Juliet on Live From Lincoln Center Options

[susanger]

How'd it look? What was done during intermission?

[4mrdncr]

I didn't like the direction (and camera placements) during most of it--the side angles looked static and too low, and the cuts to the high angles were a little jarring at times. The center camera cuts also weren't great. The last act and tomb scene were better and the CUs worked well. As usual it was an all-male camera crew (IMG:http://ballettalk.invisionzone.com/style_emoticons/default/angry.gif) so as usual, I caught the missing details which showed a lack of experience filming dance.

During intermission, Leslie Stahl (who also intro'd the program) interviewed Peter Martins, (she then flubbed actress Joan Fontaine for Margot Fonteyn--PM corrected her), and asked some good questions (though we've all heard them before), and some only a non-balletomane would venture. She then interviewed the technical director, who briefly explained the collaboration process that created the set: a triumvirate of Peter, Per, and Perry. (How's that for alliteration?!) Then they showed some video clips of rehearsals in which Hyltin and Fairchild were interviewed (which might have been the same ones aired on the NYCB website.) And finally, an interview clip of the NYCB music director rehearsing with the orchestra. There was also an offscreen announcer (I assume in the booth) who seemed slightly more knowledgeable.

(Apologies for any misspellings or missing names--no program/notes in front of me. Also... in the interest of full-disclosure, I've never been a fan of this production; I prefer better sets, costumes, drama, and choreography. Still, the dancers were good, and I do like the more realistic swords and fight choreography.)

[tutu]

Then they showed some video clips of rehearsals in which Hyltin and Fairchild were interviewed (which might have been the same ones aired on the NYCB website.)

I'm almost certain that all of the video clips that they showed were the Kristen Sloan creations that were on the website, though there was no acknowledgement, at least during intermission, as to the original source (IMG:http://ballettalk.invisionzone.com/style_emoticons/default/dunno.gif)

The dancers were brilliant, really brilliant. As far as the production itself goes, I've seen it before, and I'm not exactly a fan.

[volcanohunter]

I prefer better sets, costumes, drama, and choreography.

A brilliantly succinct review. (IMG:http://ballettalk.invisionzone.com/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Mel Johnson]

Back to my favorite relative, Dr. Johnson:

The work is good and original. Unfortunately, what is good is not original, and what is original is not good.

[Ray]

And some of the DORKIEST dancer acting ever, from principals and corps alike, with some lovely closeups to pick it all up. Dancer acting tends to be super dorky (sorry guys, but it always hits me like a wave when I see it in a full-length). I love the "concerned face" and attendant concerned gestures when something distressing happens center stage. And I swear someone was mouthing faux words, looking first at one person, then the next, then back to the first, etc. (perhaps mouthing, "wtf...wtf...wtf...wtf?").

[DeborahB]

I've seen this production live several times (from the first performance, in fact).
However, whether or not we are personal fans of Martins' ballet, the fact that public television is able to offer
this live performance from Lincoln Center is to be applauded, and commended. What a wonderful opportunity for
people all over the country -- especially those that don't live in ballet-rich cities and towns -- to see one of the best
companies in the world perform. What is sad though, is that this program was broadcast on the same day that
WNET and WLIW (local PBS in NYC and Long Island) announced a huge reduction of staff. Why? Lack of viewer contributions, as well as big business donations, in this tough economic climate. This program prompted me to finally make the annual donation that I've been remiss about making this year.

As for the merits of this particular cast -- they were delightful within the confines of the ballet. And that music is simply stunning (no matter how many times I've heard it). The NYCB orchestra, under the direction of the excellent Facyal Kroui, never sounded better. Finally, any chance to see Jock Soto (I'm still not over his retirement) on stage again is reason enough to go to this ballet (as I did last week), or watch it on PBS (as long as they are able to fund such programming).

[Natalia]

....the fact that public television is able to offer
this live performance from Lincoln Center is to be applauded, and commended. What a wonderful opportunity for
people all over the country -- especially those that don't live in ballet-rich cities and towns -- to see one of the best
companies in the world perform. .....

Absolutely correct. However, let's call a spade a spade: this production is a real klunker, as I (and practically everybody else) wrote on this forum two years ago. The giant cardboard box of a set remains that, although it looks even worse in person, from the 4th Tier. At least the set looks less sparse from the lower levels, with the decorative backdrop in full view.

And now for what really bugged me about last night's telecast. Forgive me my usual honesty but...I have a serious problem when Juliet's nurse or even her mother have younger-looking faces than the Juliet. Some dancers are simply not telegenic and Sterling Hyltin is one of them. What a shame that make-up artists were unable to intervene.

On the other hand, Ms Hyltin's long lines, legs, feet, positions were absolutely glorious. Robert Fairchild was also quite wonderful but even HE does not have the most telegenic of faces, compared to how I see him in real life. On the other hand, Joaquin De Luz as Tybalt and Dan Ulbricht as Mercutio were both spot-on in their dancing and looking just as they do in real life.

It's hard to find much that's good in this horrendous production, though. To think - such a grand company with such an exquisite repertoire and this is what PBS saw fit to telecast? grrrrr..... Still, it's a once-every-four-years chance to see a top company on live TV in an evening-length ballet.

[cinnamonswirl]

Some dancers are simply not telegenic and Sterling Hyltin is one of them. What a shame that make-up artists were unable to intervene.

I'd never realized how much Sterling looked liked Darci Kistler when she was young. With her hair up like that, she looked eerily like Darci, especially in profile. I hadn't noticed that seeing her in person, or even the youtube interviews. Maybe it's the curly hair.

[Natalia]

....I'd never realized how much Sterling looked liked Darci Kistler when she was young. ....

Are you sure? Darci was (is) very telegenic, even now, with angelic facial features. The features of the two -- face and body -- are quite different, IMO. Only the blonde hair and perhaps the long legs are alike.

[DeborahB]

I'm not going to debate the merits of R&J. Honestly, I'm not high on any story ballets at all (which is why I'm a NYCB fan).
That said, this particular R&J is packing people into the Koch theatre. Anything that helps bring NYCB (or any ballet company)
revenue works for me.

As for the comments about people being photogenic or not.
That's just a little too personal a discussion for me.
And it has little, if anything, to do with the merits of this or any ballet. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, afterall.
For the record, I thought Robbie and Sterling both looked young and beautiful (as they do in real-life as well).

[papeetepatrick]

As for the comments about people being photogenic or not.
That's just a little too personal a discussion for me.
And it has little, if anything, to do with the merits of this or any ballet. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, afterall.
For the record, I thought Robbie and Sterling both looked young and beautiful (as they do in real-life as well).

You may like their looks, think they're beautiful, but there isn't anything 'too personal' for most of us about talking about somebody being 'telegenic', any more than there was about Marilyn Monroe being 'photogenic' or 'cinematogenic'. And in her juxtaposition of 'Appalachian Spring' productions about 10 years apart. Deborah Jowitt says of Matt Turney 'she's a real beauty', and 'the camera loves her'. That is definitely part of it, even if not the main part of it. It is a legitimate observation.

Edited to add? Sorry to ask here, but i missed the show on Channel 13 last night, can't find the original post with the schedules, and can't find it in the WNET TV Guide? Is there going to be another broadcast on WNET? I might as well give it a shot if I have time.

[Natalia]

.... It is a legitimate observation.

Thanks, p. This is a visual art, after all. The 'look' of a leading dancer can 'make' or 'kill' the experience for somebody, regardless of how well the steps are performed.

[Jack Reed]

Maybe the comments about faces are partly implicit comments about camera technique? Without close ups, this viewer at least is less aware of any shortcomings as conventional dramatic character in a dancer whose element is -- no joke intended -- body language, anyway. We're all better off when we're shown the whole body.

[DeborahB]

Sorry, I don't agree at all with the telegenic comments by Natalia or Jack Reed.
This isn't a beauty contest, despite what various reviewers may or may not write about movie stars or dancers. And surely a ballet dancer
can't be compared to a movie star -- who is often, but not always, (partly) popular because of their good looks (as well as their acting talents).
I don't agree -- at all -- that a ballet dancer's "looks" can hurt/kill a performance. But maybe that's just me.
As for discussing camera angles, I think we should just be thankful that PBS was able to find the funding to put this
ballet -- or any ballet -- on national television (with reduced crews because of budget cuts etc.).

As for me, I'm heading back to NYCB tonight (and all weekend).

Have a good holiday weekend everyone!