Ready to explore what is happening in the ballet world this week?
Start by watching Grammy-winning artist Laufey’s latest music video, Santa Baby, featuring American Ballet Theatre principal dancer Isabella Boylston and a cast of talented dancers in a whimsical holiday setting. Then, dive into the ballet world with actor Sam Riley in the biopic John Cranko, where he finds unexpected inspiration working alongside real dancers while portraying the legendary choreographer. Finally, grab your popcorn and head to the theater for an unforgettable experience as the Paris Opéra Ballet’s Swan Lake makes its IMAX debut from November 8–10.
Still want more? We got you covered! Keep on scrolling for more stories.
Sam Riley initially thought the film John Cranko would be an action movie, only to discover it was about the famed choreographer who transformed ballet. Though unfamiliar with Cranko and ballet, Riley embraced the role’s emotional complexity, finding unexpected admiration for the art and its performers, particularly inspired by working alongside real Stuttgart Ballet dancers.
Photo Credit: BETA Cinema
After being turned away by 12 ballet schools, five-year-old Emilie-Rose Tricker, who is autistic and non-verbal, finally found a dance class tailored to her needs, thanks to Tracy Maguire at Dance Depot in Kilwinning, Scotland. Tracy’s inclusive classes, now highly popular, have created a supportive space for children with additional needs, inspiring other dance schools to follow suit.
In A Tale About Swan Lake, Norwegian National Ballet dancer and choreographer Cina Espejord reimagines the classic story by portraying Odette and Siegfried as siblings rather than lovers, emphasizing the bond of familial love and loss. This two-act ballet, infused with Nordic folklore, premiered on November 2 and features a tour-friendly design, with sets and costumes inspired by Norwegian landscapes and traditions.
Photo Credit: Jorg Wiesner/ courtesy NNB
In a review of American Ballet Theatre’s Crime and Punishment, directed by Helen Pickett and James Bonas, the reviewer describes it as an intense adaptation of Dostoyevsky's novel, but struggles to capture the full emotional depth and dramatic drive of its source material. Furthermore they add that despite powerful performances, particularly from Cassandra Trenary as Raskolnikov, the ballet's repetitive movements and overly stylized gestures lead to a production that feels more constrained and less impactful than the story’s original philosophical weight.
Photo Credit: Erin Baiano for the New York Times.
If You’re Around This Weekend
Ballet West's upcoming production, Pictures at an Exhibition, will feature Utah premieres of works by choreographers Alexei Ratmansky and Christopher Wheeldon, alongside Balanchine's classic Serenade. Running Nov. 8-16, the program is designed to showcase the beauty of dance and music, with live orchestration, highlighting art’s role as a unifying force in a divisive time,
according to Artistic Director Adam Sklute.
This November 8–10, Paris Opéra Ballet’s Swan Lake will debut in IMAX theaters, offering an up-close cinematic experience of the iconic ballet. Starring étoile Sae Eun Park as Odette/Odile and filmed with unprecedented camera angles, this IMAX presentation promises detailed views that go beyond even the best seats in the theater.
If You Feel Like Watching
American Ballet Theatre principal dancer Isabella Boylston stars alongside Laufey in the festive music video for "Santa Baby," adding elegance and charm to the singer's playful rendition of the holiday classic. The video, directed by Jason Lester, features Boylston and other ballet dancers performing against a whimsical holiday backdrop, complementing Laufey's jazz-pop style.
If You Feel Like Listening
In this episode of the Ballet Help Desk, Griff Braun, American Guild of Musical Artists’s National Organizing Director, explores the crucial role of unions in ballet, highlighting AGMA’s advocacy for dancer rights, safety, and fair treatment. He shares recent successes, including support for Dallas Black Dance Theater, underscoring the importance of union representation for today’s dancers.
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