Its historic managerial ructions, however, are well known. Wilder admits friends cautioned her about taking a job with the debt-ridden troupe. "They told me the board is famous for eating its young." Wilder concedes that her attempts to stabilize the company financially proved frustrating, particularly when its crucially lucrative Nutcracker was ejected from its regular 3,600-seat venue. "We lost $4-million in one year."

Boston Ballet's accumulated deficit is now US$7-million on an annual operating budget, including its school, of US$25-million. "You have to decide how long you want to beat your head against a wall," says Wilder. Still, she insists she has no regrets. "I feel good about what I did here."