IN THE WINGS

When I think of Kyle Froman, I think of a very good-looking  young man with a perfect body, a great smile, nice hair, gallant stage manners and abundant youthful energy. Kyle views himself somewhat differently, as I found today when I began reading his new book IN THE WINGS.  I was first amused and then touched by the fact that Kyle seems to consider himself one of the 'grand old men' of the New York City Ballet and, after eleven years dancing there he looks on 'the younger generation' (his own words) and wonders how they feel about the senior dancers. He seems already to be looking ahead to a time when he won't be dancing at City Ballet any more.

When we attend a performance at City Ballet we see the finished product; it is easy to appreciate the beauty of the choreography and the dancers; and it is also easy for some people to find fault: under-rehearsed, lack of energy, out-of-sync. What we don't see is what has gone into putting the ballet onstage and in this book Kyle - in words and photos - gives us a look at the reality behind the illusion. He takes us thru a typical dancer's day at NYCB, from class to the final curtain at night. It is a day filled with sweat, pain, frustration, camaraderie, elation and exhaustion.

On the day described, Kyle is preparing for SQUARE DANCE and his whole day is focussed on the eventual goal of being 'on' for the performance. What he puts his body and mind thru as the day proceeds will make you think twice the next time you're sitting in the State Theatre watching a performance. Injury is almost routine, pain is part of the job. Kyle evaluates his tasks and the time available to him as the minutes tick by: countdown to curtain. Everything must come together for that time onstage.  The satisfaction of accomplishment at the end of the day is its own reward.

Kyle's photographs have graced the Dancer on Dancer pages of the NYCB website for a couple of years now and in the book he lets us see some of our favorite dancers in the course of their day's work. Opening a studio door, he might come upon something like the SERENADE rehearsal with Maria K, Stephen Hanna & Miranda Weese (left). He gives us a view of life behind the scenes and of the process of turning perspiration into poetry.

For me, huge Wendy Whelan fan that I am, the book is a delight: Wendy turns up on several pages and of the many photos I have seen of her, Kyle's instantly became favorites.

I know how much ballet fans love backstage photographs and for the NYCB crowd, Kyle's book is going to be a necessity. You can find out more about it, or order it directly from Wiley's here.

The other thing about Kyle Froman is, he's a married man. Reading about his marriage to Andrew Kirtzman a few years ago made me feel inexplicably happy even though I don't know either of them personally. Kyle dedicates IN THE WINGS to Andrew and his heartfelt appreciation is so beautifully expressed.  Maybe someday - if the world survives the current darkness - people will come to view marriage not as a political issue but as an act of love.    

Comments

[perky]

Kyle and Andrew make a handsome couple don't they?
This book is number 1 on a list I gave to my husband as possible Christmas presents. And you are right Phillip, we fans do love to see the backstage and candid photos. When you see these lovely dancers on stage they almost seem like celestial creatures visiting us lowly earthlings to give us a glimpse of heaven for a few hours. Seeing in the photos how much dedication, work and sometimes pain it takes to create that effect on stage only makes me love these dancers more.

[Philip]

Hi Perky,

I thought of you as I was reading Kyle's book last night
because his partner in the SQUARE DANCE they were working on is one of our favorite dancers, Pauline Golbin.

Hope your Christmas wish-list comes true!

[Sarah]

Philip... So glad you got the book.

Can you guess which picture is my favorite?!?!?

LOVE the book. Kyle is such a generous and wonderful person and it's fantastic that he's had this opportunity to publish his gorgeous photos.

I love the behind-the-scenes look at the NYCB day, and am so glad it captures a time in NYCB history that I am so in love with!

[Philip]

Sarah...let me guess...it would have to be...Seth Orza??

[Sarah]

Am I that easy to read??!?!?

:-)

I'm still in mourning over his departure, and the pictures were salt in the wounds! (They're pretty lovely though).

[Philip]

LOL...and did you notice Mrs. Orza on page 73 along with the beauteous Sara Mearns?

[Sandi]

So excited that my birthday is in a little over three weeks! Now I know what to ask for! :-)

[Philip]

Sandi, I know you are going to love this book...I understand Kyle will be having a signing at Barnes & Noble on November 25.

[Kyle Froman]

I appreciate all the comments on this wonderful site. Just to let everyone know, my book signing was moved to Monday, November 26th. It's going to be in Lincoln Center, just before the tree-lighting, at five o' clock. I hope everyone can make it. I look forward to meeting my readers!
A very proud author,
Kyle Froman

[Philip]

Kyle, I noticed at The Winger that the date had been changed. Do you know exactly where at Lincoln Center we will find you on the 26th?

[Kyle Froman]

It looks like the signing table will be "adjacent to the Wedgwood ornament and book sale kiosk." More info can be found at www.lincolncenter.org.

Cheers,
Kyle