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Rebel on Pointe: A Memoir of Ballet and Broadway
“Touching and beautiful; Lee Wilson is an inspiration to us all for finding a passion in life and moving beyond familial pressures and societal norms.”—Zippora Karz, former soloist, New York City Ballet
“The culture of the ballet world is divulged in all its glorious detail. Wilson’s compelling account of her training and career shows the true courage and persistence this profession requires.”—Ali Duffy, founder and choreographer, Flatlands Dance Theatre
“Lee brings to her writing the same keen intelligence she brought to her dancing. It is a joy to relive some of the important moments of ballet history with her and to empathize as she uses her dance career to gain the independence and freedom she perceived as lacking for women like her mother only one generation earlier.”—Maina Gielgud, former director, The Australian Ballet
In this uplifting memoir, Lee Wilson describes how she grand jetéd from the stifling suburbia of the 1950s, a world of rigid gender roles, to the only domain where women and men were equally paid and equally respected—in grand, historic dance theaters and under the bright lights of the Broadway stage.
Short, plump, pigeon-toed, and never good enough for mom, Lee Wilson dared to dream she could grow up to be a star. In 1962, fresh out of high school and a mere sixteen years old, Wilson left her country and the comforts of home to make the five-day journey across the Atlantic. She saw Europe as an attractive alternative to New York, where great American ballet companies were struggling to survive. That same year, Wilson made her professional debut in Monte Carlo in a command performance for Prince Rainier and Princess Grace. The following summer, as she danced across Europe, she thrilled to the sound of her first bravos—and never looked back.
After touring Europe and dancing with the Metropolitan Opera Ballet in New York, Wilson set her sights on Broadway, where she danced in many famous shows including Hello Dolly! She was in the original national company of A Chorus Line and played Patty in the original Broadway production of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown .
Rebel on Pointe immerses the reader in a remarkable and visionary world. It lifts the veil of myth surrounding legendary dance icons like George Balanchine, Rosella Hightower, Erik Bruhn, and Rudolf Nureyev to reveal the real men and women who have influenced and embodied the world of dance.
Wilson expertly depicts how her profession—at times considered so rigid and exacting—was a leading force in the liberation of women from the prison of patriarchal post-war society. The hard-won gains and the maddening setbacks of the gender revolution are seen here through the eyes of a young dancer searching for freedom, one “pas” at a time.
“The culture of the ballet world is divulged in all its glorious detail. Wilson’s compelling account of her training and career shows the true courage and persistence this profession requires.”—Ali Duffy, founder and choreographer, Flatlands Dance Theatre
“Lee brings to her writing the same keen intelligence she brought to her dancing. It is a joy to relive some of the important moments of ballet history with her and to empathize as she uses her dance career to gain the independence and freedom she perceived as lacking for women like her mother only one generation earlier.”—Maina Gielgud, former director, The Australian Ballet
In this uplifting memoir, Lee Wilson describes how she grand jetéd from the stifling suburbia of the 1950s, a world of rigid gender roles, to the only domain where women and men were equally paid and equally respected—in grand, historic dance theaters and under the bright lights of the Broadway stage.
Short, plump, pigeon-toed, and never good enough for mom, Lee Wilson dared to dream she could grow up to be a star. In 1962, fresh out of high school and a mere sixteen years old, Wilson left her country and the comforts of home to make the five-day journey across the Atlantic. She saw Europe as an attractive alternative to New York, where great American ballet companies were struggling to survive. That same year, Wilson made her professional debut in Monte Carlo in a command performance for Prince Rainier and Princess Grace. The following summer, as she danced across Europe, she thrilled to the sound of her first bravos—and never looked back.
After touring Europe and dancing with the Metropolitan Opera Ballet in New York, Wilson set her sights on Broadway, where she danced in many famous shows including Hello Dolly! She was in the original national company of A Chorus Line and played Patty in the original Broadway production of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown .
Rebel on Pointe immerses the reader in a remarkable and visionary world. It lifts the veil of myth surrounding legendary dance icons like George Balanchine, Rosella Hightower, Erik Bruhn, and Rudolf Nureyev to reveal the real men and women who have influenced and embodied the world of dance.
Wilson expertly depicts how her profession—at times considered so rigid and exacting—was a leading force in the liberation of women from the prison of patriarchal post-war society. The hard-won gains and the maddening setbacks of the gender revolution are seen here through the eyes of a young dancer searching for freedom, one “pas” at a time.
- GenresNonfictionBiography
224 pages, Hardcover
First published September 26, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 27, 2022
Early on in Rebel on Pointe, Wilson tells the story of when she knew she wanted to work: she knew what 'not working' entailed, because her mother didn't work—and day in and day out, she'd seen her mother do the cooking and the cleaning, the mending and the homework-helping, the organising and the ironing. She knew her father's job (he did work) must be important and hard, because when he came home in the evening he could put up his feet and have a drink while her mother continued on not-working. And so when Wilson met her father at his office one day after class and saw what working entailed (feet up, reading the paper, a secretary to bring him drinks and screen his calls)...she knew she wanted to be someone who worked.
Rebel on Pointe, then, is a story not just of a career but of a young feminist take: although Wilson was passionate about dance, it was also one of few opportunities she saw to be treated on par with the men. Here was a career where women weren't a second thought, where she'd have opportunities beyond providing drinks for men or making their dinner. She might not earn enough money to buy shampoo—but she'd have the sort of independence that her mother had never had.
The minute Mom saw me, she criticized my hair. I explained that I had to wash it with bar soap because I couldn’t afford shampoo, but Mom made it clear that my lack of funds was my problem, not hers. (131)
I asked Mom why she didn’t answer the letters I addressed to her and Dad, and she said, “That’s not my job anymore. It’s your father’s.” (131)
It's so clear from Wilson's story that her mother was frustrated with her lot—that she had, from the outside, a lovely little setup for a 1950s housewife, but that that setup meant a life with very little agency. This isn't Wilson's mother's story, but the snippets we see inform the choices we see Wilson make.
Lastly, an aside about the cover—it's striking, but it's a very poor fit for the title, no? The publisher definitely should have had some second thoughts there.
Rebel on Pointe, then, is a story not just of a career but of a young feminist take: although Wilson was passionate about dance, it was also one of few opportunities she saw to be treated on par with the men. Here was a career where women weren't a second thought, where she'd have opportunities beyond providing drinks for men or making their dinner. She might not earn enough money to buy shampoo—but she'd have the sort of independence that her mother had never had.
The minute Mom saw me, she criticized my hair. I explained that I had to wash it with bar soap because I couldn’t afford shampoo, but Mom made it clear that my lack of funds was my problem, not hers. (131)
I asked Mom why she didn’t answer the letters I addressed to her and Dad, and she said, “That’s not my job anymore. It’s your father’s.” (131)
It's so clear from Wilson's story that her mother was frustrated with her lot—that she had, from the outside, a lovely little setup for a 1950s housewife, but that that setup meant a life with very little agency. This isn't Wilson's mother's story, but the snippets we see inform the choices we see Wilson make.
Lastly, an aside about the cover—it's striking, but it's a very poor fit for the title, no? The publisher definitely should have had some second thoughts there.
June 17, 2024
I really loved it. I hear she's got a new one coming out too!!!
October 25, 2024
On pointe
Lee Wilson writes about her fascinating history and experiences as a dancer and writer. Take a backstage pass into the world of dance in mid century America.
Lee Wilson writes about her fascinating history and experiences as a dancer and writer. Take a backstage pass into the world of dance in mid century America.
September 28, 2014
What an inspiration! Being a baby boomer myself, I understood Wilson's desire to escape the suburban dead-end that so many bright and capable women were forced into back in the 1950s and 60s. I loved how Wilson framed her memoirs within the female-dominated world of dance, and of course it didn't hurt that she was incredibly talented! Wilson's writing style is both humorous and informative; I was spellbound as I read about the famous dancers and ballet teachers she worked with. The book brought back happy memories of my childhood, watching a ballet performed live and thrilling with every arabesque and pas de deux. I highly recommend this book!
November 14, 2014
This is a really great read! Lee Wilson writes very well and is a great storyteller. I was engrossed in this book from start to finish. This book will appeal to dancers of all kinds and ages, girls and women of all ages, and anyone interested in the performing arts and how the role of women has changed and evolved since the 1950s when Lee Wilson started taking her first dance classes. There are also lots of interesting tidbits and stories about many famous dancers and choreographers, and many wonderful insights into the world of a professional dancer. Buy this book!
February 28, 2018
I really enjoyed reading this memoir. Interesting perspective of a young amitious girl before her time. I really related to her desire and her observations especially the disparity between men and women. Very inspiring and a great read for young performers.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews