Behind the Scenes at Boston Ballet Contributor(s): Temin, Christine (Author), Gilbert, Wally (Photographer) |
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ISBN: 0813033535 ISBN-13: 9780813033532 Publisher: University Press of Florida OUR PRICE: $30.60 Product Type: Hardcover Published: April 2009 |
Additional Information |
BISAC Categories: - Performing Arts | Dance - Classical & Ballet |
Dewey: 792.89 |
LCCN: 2008048898 |
Physical Information: 0.8" H x 7" W x 9.9" (1.55 lbs) 240 pages |
Themes: - Locality - Boston-Worcester, Mass. - Geographic Orientation - Massachusetts - Cultural Region - New England |
Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
Publisher Description: A photographic portrait of an entire ballet season "An amazing book. Temin is a crackerjack journalist, and this book touches on every hot-button issue that is relevant to ballet companies today."--Mindy Aloff "Temin and Gilbert have given us a long-overdue libretto for a ballet about a ballet company. Players on both sides of the proscenium will find Behind the Scenes at Boston Ballet a real page-turner "--Toba Singer, author of First Position For centuries, ballet companies have been transporting audiences beyond their workaday worlds, one performance at a time. A layperson who sees a ballerina perform in SwanLake may be thrilled or impressed--may imagine the hours of rehearsal that lie behind each performance or understand something about the demands made on a dancer--but many who appreciate ballet remain unacquainted with all the steps, parts, people, and money that must come together for a world-class company to complete a season of performances. Beyond the flash of lights onstage is a world of physical trainers and fundraisers, artistic directors and executive boards, all laboring to ensure that the show goes on. In this unprecedented behind-the-scenes look at the life of a company, former Boston Globe dance critic Christine Temin and photographer Wally Gilbert present a compelling portrait of the Boston Ballet. Their evocative prose and penetrating photography turn the spotlight on all the elements--from toe shoes and costumes to rehearsals and revenue--that come together (or fall apart) in a season. Boston Ballet, in turn, makes a perfect study: After a rash of mysterious firings and defections in the early 2000s, the company seems to have moved past the controversy with a new artistic director and a new schedule of international performances. Its story highlights the tremendous amount of work and energy that goes in before the curtain can ever go up. |