In the Wings: Behind the Scenes at the New York City Ballet

by Kyle Froman

Here is New York City Ballet as it really is- the good, the not so good, and the majestically beautiful. It's a true story, and it's told by someone who can honestly claim that he was there.

Genres: Nonfiction, Photography

128 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2007

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really great photos in this chronicle of a day in the life of a ballet dancer. The writing is amateurish but also moving and conveys the joys and anxieties of dancing at NYCB. Froman could almost be any young man giving a daily account of his profesional life, and NYCB could almost be any demanding work place, except it's like totally not. Case in point, Froman's nice wrap-up at the end: "I have Vivaldi in my ears, Merrill in my head, and Balanchine in my body." Worth a look, especially for the beautiful photos.

[Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this a couple of years ago at a library sale and have finally gotten around to reading it. It's not a chore. It's mostly pictures with some light text on a day in the corps. I don't know much about ballet, but I have a slightly-above-passable interest in it, so I enjoyed looking at the photos and learning about the life. Probably the most interesting part is how little time is spent putting a performance together (a couple of hours). Overall, this was a fine read, but it's not one I'll be holding onto or revisiting.

[Kaylen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very easy, exceptionally quick read with gorgeous pictures and fascinating insight from a former (though, active at the time of publication) dancer at NYCB whose photographs tell a breathtaking story. Loved this impromptu find at my library; thinking about purchasing for my home library so I can enjoy the beautiful pictures any time!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great photos of NYC performers backstage and during class. I also enjoyed hearing, from a member of the corps, what it's like for him dancing for hours every day, preparing for a show, and, finally, dancing for the audience.

[Miriam · Rating 4 out of 5]

a lovely photojournal of a-day-in-the-life-of-a-corps-dancer. if you love ballet, or have ever danced, this is a delightful, back stage look at a dancer's schedule. great gift for any wanna-be dancer.

[OMalleycat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful photos of classes, rehearsals, and performances at the New York City Ballet, taken by a member of the corps. If you’ve read any of the autobiographies, little of the written information will be new, but the pictures are beautiful and enlightening.

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found this book in the library at my ballet studio a few weeks ago and have been reading a little bit during my breaks every Wednesday. I finally finished tonight and I loved it!

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an enjoyable read for someone like me who enjoys ballet, but has no idea what goes into it. Froman, a ballet dancer himself, has his camera by his side in the studio and takes photos of all stages of the process; from warming up on the barre to using a laser in the physical therapy room, this is a side of ballet I had never seen. The photographs, featuring a wide variety of dancers and performances, are organized chronologically with where they would fall into a daily routine. Froman includes brief narration of each segment (did you know the dancers frequently speak to each other on stage during performances?), but mostly the pictures speak for themselves.

My only disappointment was Froman repeatedly references Square Dance, the ballet he was rehearsing/performing at the time of the writing but includes no photographs of it. (I realize he was a dancer in it, but I wish he would have handed the camera off to someone like his twin brother to take a few shots). He talks a lot about the complexity and speed of the dance, so it would have been interesting to see a bit of it. Also, after hearing his voice and seeing his perspective, I would have liked a little more behind the lens.

All in all a great read that gave me a better appreciation of the ballet.

[Rachel C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Between ABT, So You Think You Can Dance, Breaking Pointe and Bunheads, I've had ballet on the brain lately. So I rooted out a few books to borrow from the NYPL. "Starve a fever, feed an obsession" is what I say.

The photographs are gorgeous and they're from a rare insider's perspective, but the truth is that still photography will never be able to capture the magic of seeing a live ballet performance with live orchestral music.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful look at life backstage at NYCB. With this book, On Their Toes by Morris, and A Very Young Dancer, I've basically got picture books about being a dancer covered for ages 8, 10, and 12. Additionally, this book would be a great coffee table book, for those who like to clutter up tables with books.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that I keep in my "all time favorite dance books" bookcase next to my bed. I am a dance photographer and Kyle's work is incredible and inspiring to me. I also love the fact that he was a dancer in the New York City Ballet, one of the greatest ballet companies in the world today.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely pictures, but the text was unimpressive.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Photographic book of behind the scenes of the New York City Ballet. Photos better than the text.

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book because it gives a behind-the-scenes look at life in a ballet school. Any ballerina will appreciate the pictures. I ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️this book!!!