In the Miami Herald, Jordan Levin interviews MCB principals Haiyan Wu and Zang Wou as preview to the 2008-09 season, which begins with a mixed repertory program of Balanchine's "Swan Lake," and "The Four Temperaments," and Twyla Tharp's "In the Upper Room."

Miami Herald

Alastair Macaulay journied to Miami to see the revival of Balanchine's "Swan Lake" by Miami City Ballet. His review in the New York Times:

NY Times

I am personally gratified that Mr. Villella has chosen to bring Balanchine's "Swan Lake" into MCB's repertory. Previously, I had a concern that this work would be cast aside and forgotten, since it has been replaced by another version at New York City Ballet and no other company seemed to have an interest in presenting it.

In the Palm Beach Post, Charles Passy reviews Miami City Ballet's premiere of Paul Taylor's "Mercuric Tidings," plus performances Edward Villella's "The Fox-Trot: Dancing in the Dark," and Balanchine's "Ballet Imperial," at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach on Friday, December 5, 2008:

Palm Beach Post

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/art ... QD94VDBT80

See further discussion in our Managing Dance Forum:

Miami City Ballet Fiscal Status

In the Miami Herald, Jordan Levin reviews MCB's mixed bill of works by Edward Villella ("The Fox Trot"), Paul Taylor ("Mercuric Tidings") and Balanchine ("Ballet Imperial)" on Friday, January 9, 2009:

Miami Herald

I saw the program this past weekend at the Carniverous Center and it was "interesting". Ballet Imperial was definitely the highlight of the evening.

Program IV looks to be a not to miss event, can't wait for Spirng.

Hmmm, "interesting" in what way?

In Time Out New York, Gia Kourlas interviews Edwrd Villella as a preview to MCB's performances at City Center, January 21-25, 2009:

Time Out NY

Well, ummm, "interesting" meaning it wasn't what I expected.

How so?

I appreciate your interest in my thoughts on the program Miami City Ballet is a fine ballet company and my description of "interesting" is more directed at the program repertoire. The repertoire presented just didn't make me want to come back and see it again, it was too eclectic. I like contrasting programs of dance but this was beyond contrasting, I really don't understand what they were going for.

IMHO, in this day and age, (and in this economy) you need to make certain that anything presented onstage will keep your audiences coming back, again, and again, and again. Audience members need to come away from a program thinking "WOW I need to see that company again, I loved it" and this program just didn't do that for me.

BTW, has anyone seen the curtain at the Arsht Center Opera/Ballet House ? What is that all about ???? It looks like bad wallpaper you would find on a motel wall from back in the 1950's. Whatever they paid for that it was too much.

You crack me up.

You bring up a very good point about programming. I have been to SO many performances of wonderful companies who were not well served by the choice of pieces. The Paul Taylor company comes to mind as an example.

Eclecticism is good but not to where it becomes a burden.

In the New Jersey Star-Ledger, Robert Johnson interviews Edward Villella as a preview of MCB's City Center performances:

Star-Ledger

Remember--It's this Wednesday, January 21st !

If it made any practical sense at all for me at this time, I would be on the next plane from Geneva.

As I have said before at other topics and as we would have said in the heyday of George Balanchine....


" Be There Or Be Square !! " ( Written with A Great Big Smile !! )