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jaalaWarning: incoherent gush ahead. People not from southern Ontario may wish to skip this entry.
So I went to Toronto on Saturday to see the opening night of the National Ballet's current production of Onegin. "Sexy Rexy" (as he is affectionately known to one and all) held the audience--especially the gay male and straight female patrons--like putty in the palm of his hand. I heard one person remark, "We're acting like a Prague audience!" (Translation: The curtain call was very loud, included a great deal of onstage kissing and just a little goofiness, and went on for I-don't-know how long.)
Cranko's ballet itself is quite something. Despite its general adherence to the conventions of Romantic narrative ballet tradition (dancing peasants, stereotyped gender roles, pointe shoes, etc.), the choreography is incredibly expressive and even innovative. (NB: I have gripes with a couple ballet conventions.) Although it was obvious who was the star, the other performances were also very impressive.
One could tell why he wishes to retire now: his physical abilities, while still impressive, are not what they once were... but no one in the house cared. His interpretive and dramatic powers have never been better. I kept thinking what a fine stage actor he would make. As has been said all over the media, he is in fact pursuing acting, a fact which couldn't make me happier. His dreams of a break from Broadway or Hollywood is all fine and dandy, except... he'd leave Canada! (overwrought wailing sounds here)
G-d, it was good. Even in the balcony (still $85!), those were the best seats I've ever had at a National performance. And binoculars work so much better with contacts. Even though I'd read the program and attended the lecture before the show, every plot twist had me enthralled. I laughed, I cried, and I held my breath so much that I was lightheaded (and still quivering slightly with excitement) as I left the theatre.
*sigh*
Okay. Now that I've got some of that off my chest, perhaps I'll write about the rest of my life some time.
So I went to Toronto on Saturday to see the opening night of the National Ballet's current production of Onegin. "Sexy Rexy" (as he is affectionately known to one and all) held the audience--especially the gay male and straight female patrons--like putty in the palm of his hand. I heard one person remark, "We're acting like a Prague audience!" (Translation: The curtain call was very loud, included a great deal of onstage kissing and just a little goofiness, and went on for I-don't-know how long.)
Cranko's ballet itself is quite something. Despite its general adherence to the conventions of Romantic narrative ballet tradition (dancing peasants, stereotyped gender roles, pointe shoes, etc.), the choreography is incredibly expressive and even innovative. (NB: I have gripes with a couple ballet conventions.) Although it was obvious who was the star, the other performances were also very impressive.
One could tell why he wishes to retire now: his physical abilities, while still impressive, are not what they once were... but no one in the house cared. His interpretive and dramatic powers have never been better. I kept thinking what a fine stage actor he would make. As has been said all over the media, he is in fact pursuing acting, a fact which couldn't make me happier. His dreams of a break from Broadway or Hollywood is all fine and dandy, except... he'd leave Canada! (overwrought wailing sounds here)
G-d, it was good. Even in the balcony (still $85!), those were the best seats I've ever had at a National performance. And binoculars work so much better with contacts. Even though I'd read the program and attended the lecture before the show, every plot twist had me enthralled. I laughed, I cried, and I held my breath so much that I was lightheaded (and still quivering slightly with excitement) as I left the theatre.
*sigh*
Okay. Now that I've got some of that off my chest, perhaps I'll write about the rest of my life some time.
