Word: speeded
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Dates: during 1970-1979
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...Gelsey could be seen last week when A.B.T. opened its New York season with a new production of Balanchine's Theme and Variations, a ballet as precise as Don Q is broad. David Howard, one of Gelsey's two current instructors, describes the challenge: "Theme requires diamond sharpness, tremendous speed, a glittering technique. The Balanchine style is small, sharp, quick footwork." Gelsey's performance was in the way of a reprise. When she first conquered the ballet's fiendish demands at 17, she gave notice that she could do anything. Nothing she does now suggests otherwise...
Gelsey was to give Johnna plenty of opportunities to grieve. When she was 17, Balanchine devised a version of Firebird for Gelsey. The work took advantage of her speed and youth. "I didn't want a woman," Balanchine explained. "I wanted a bird, one of God's natural creatures." But Gelsey had created a story to prepare herself for her role. "I don't think Balanchine wanted me to do that," she says, correctly. Balanchine's bird was intended as just that, a pure figure of form and movement. The production was a rare Balanchine stumble. Critics blamed...
...always done before, Gelsey took steps. This time, though, her single-mindedness promised a confrontation with the demiurge of 20th century dance. Balanchine's classes are known for their remorseless speed. Gelsey not only sought the help of outside teachers, she dropped Balanchine's class entirely. What she wanted to learn from others was an approach that was both less punishing and more effective...
...through the most strenuous works. "It can be like pumping iron," he says, "if your timing is off. You can put her up there like a barbell, but it doesn't look good." Lavery has also shone on his own. His long legs and short torso emphasize his speed, a quality prized by Balanchine, who has cast Sean in his new fast-paced work, Kammermusik No. 2. Born in Pennsylvania, Lavery started training as a Junior Olympics swimmer at age eight, got hooked on ballet at ten, and never looked back: "I am not bothered by what I have...
Higginson added that "on paper Navy is faster than us, but we probably gained enough speed to go in with a 50-50 chance of winning." He seemed satisfied that this week's lineup is the best he has assembled. "They look quite good," he said...