VALSE FANTAISIE DOCUMENTARY (Mimi Paul and John Clifford)

Описание: Mimi Paul and me coaching VALSE FANTAISIE. In 2008 Mimi Paul and I were invited to coach Megan Fairchild and Jared Angle in VALSE-FANTAISIE for the Balanchine Trust's "Interpreter's Archives. Mimi and John Prinz were supposed to be the original cast, but a week before the premiere John was injured and Mr. B chose me to replace him. I was still in the corps and barely been in the company a year (plus I had a slightly sprained ankle...but didn't tell Mr. B, of course). I was thrilled, especially when Mimi said Mr. B changed the solo for me; adding more grand jetes. This ballet became one of my signature roles and I danced it with Gelsey Kirkland, Allegra Kent, Sara Leland, Kay Mazzo, Suki Schorer, Judith Fugate, Elise Flagg, and even Melissa Hayden on concerts. For this "coaching" session Mimi and I restored several steps that were missing, but more, we had to really try and get these excellent dancers to dance it with the sweep and energy of the true Balanchine style. They were/are wonderful technicians, but I think were a bit surprised at the many differences of how we wanted it danced compared to how they had been doing it (in fairness this was supposed to be with Joaquin De Luz but he was injured so Jared gamely filled in). This had mostly to do with the energy it took to travel on every step, and lots of stylistic things too many to go into here. This run-through was after two-hours of intense coaching, and these two wonderful kids really got the changes we taught them. It proved to me that with proper coaching the Balanchine technique-style could be brought back.