Private View: Inside Baryshnikov's American Ballet Theatre

by John Fraser, Eve Arnold (Photographer)

Profiles the glamorous yet driven world of the American Ballet Theater and the style and influence of its charismatic and risk-taking artistic director, Mikhail Baryshnikov, and presents a photographic account of the performers

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography

259 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

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Reviews

[Surreysmum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Photographs by Eve Arnold. Even four years after publication, they're still asking $24.50 for this large-format paperback, and that's the main reason I held off buying it for so long. Nonetheless, I'm not sorry I finally succumbed. The photos, as one would expect from celebrity photographer Arnold, present their subjects (mostly the dancers) in interesting & attractive lights. No performance photos - this is strictly backstage stuff. However, Arnold catches that rather "onstage" quality - that too-perfect or too-bizarre disposal of the limbs & face - that ballet people seem to have even in repose. There are some particularly good ones of Baryshnikov, and one really striking one of Patrick Bissell - lazy, dissipated, god-like - shortly before his death. As for the text, I was expecting it to be tame and flattering. It was neither. Baryshnikov is a friend of the author (who is a well-regarded Canadian journalist) but that does not prevent an honest attempt to understand and assess the real man and the real people around him. What is more, one is taken aback by the range of issues addressed which simply never turn up in sycophantic magazine articles: Gelsey's book, Baryshnikov's autocratic style, drugs, AIDS, Charles France (certainly the most revealing portrait of this much-mentioned but shadowy figure about whom there has never been any information.) Along with a revealing description of a scene where he and Baryshnikov play good cop bad cop with some Vogue magazine representatives, it is strongly hinted that the roots of his fanatical loyalty to the Russian lie in a deeper (& of course unrequited) emotion. Fraser has also talked to the company (senior and junior), to the artistic staff - he even gives us portraits of that forgotten but very important side of the operation, the fund-raising corporate types. This is fascinating, given that it was (I believe) only shortly after this book was published that the state of tension Fraser identifies between this set of people and Baryshnikov/France caused Baryshnikov to resign abruptly from his directorship at ABT. I read a review of this book claiming that it did not deliver on the gossipy promise of its title. I can't think what the author of that review could have wanted - this is not "Mischa Dearest," but it is frank, and fair, and fascinating.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought Baryshnikov was an interesting character before but this book gave a rare peek inside the ABT, where there is more drama than any soap. Baryshnikov, who directed ABT at the time, comes off as not entirely likable but thoroughly charismatic.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The casual misogyny of the author made this book difficult to get through. It’s expressed in obvious and direct ways as well as more subtle ways like who is included and left out of the story. Written in 1988, the writing style feels incredibly dated. So much unnecessary flourish. So much showiness and “notice me, the author!” in his writing. It’s still worth reading for the pictures and some of the information about ABT. But the overall feel the whole time is like listening to someone’s wealthy, problematic uncle trying to impress you with his vocabulary and stories about famous people he met that one time.

[Genevieve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dated but excellent. The photographs are fantastic.

[Rachel C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A richly detailed portrait of ABT under Baryshnikov as Artistic Director. This is the best ballet book I've been able to find to date: the writing is elegant and precise, the photographs are intimate and revealing, and the subject is not too far removed from my personal experiences as a ballet-goer.

My favorite chapter was about ABT's grueling travel schedule. ABT is truly a national and international company. 2012's schedule looks like this: Texas, DC, Illinois, California, Virginia, New York, Taiwan, Korea, California again, New York again to finish out the year with The Nutcracker at BAM. In the 1986-87 season, it was rehearsals in New York, a film in Italy, California, more rehearsals in New York, Florida, Illinois, California again, back to New York for the Met season, then two weeks in DC. They really do ship everything - literal tons of massive sets, lighting, hundreds of costumes and thousands of pairs of toe shoes, a complete set of working files and office equipment for the admin staff, down to paperclips and scratch pads.

Contemplating a trip to Russia, Baryshnikov said, "Their first reaction was to say it was quite impossible because the Bolshoi Theater is to be closed for renovations. Well, we patiently had to explain that we had not requested the Bolshoi Theater. Hell, we could dance in a sports stadium or Gorky Park. You know, we are American Ballet Theatre. We dance anywhere."

The company in this book is one generation older than the one I know but there's a surprising amount of continuity, contrary to the popular belief that careers in dance are fleeting. Julie Kent, only a teenager in the corps when this book was written, is still dancing with ABT at age 43, the mother of two. She's married to Victor Barbee, then a principal dancer, now the Associate Artistic Director. The current artistic director is Kevin McKenzie, who was also a principal dancer in Baryshnikov's company. Ballerina Susan Jaffe is now a Ballet Master.

All in all, the book delivers what it promises in the title, an inside look into my favorite company. For fans of American ballet and American Ballet Theatre, this book is a must-read.

[Judit · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be honest I only purchased this book because I found a photo of Julie Kent on the internet and I tracked down that you can find it in this very book. For a long time I've just scrolled trough the incredible pics but never read it. This week I thought 'What the hell!...let's read this!' And I regret nothing. It's beautifully written, exciting even for me who only knew few things about Baryshnikov. The story basically a biography and shows us ABT's 1986-87 season in Italy, New York and all around the US. Of course it's the writer's personal opinion about ABT's dancers and employees but nevertheless I highly recommend this book if you're into ballet. (even if you're not into ballet read this :D)

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book when I was teen. Anyone have a cover image?

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible photos of some of the greatest dancers of all time. Behind the scenes, gritty documentary style.

[Jody · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book contains beautiful photos of many of my favorite dancers!

[Mills College Library]

792.84092 F8418 1988