My thanks to Deborah for sending me a link to this Dance Magazine article about New York City Ballet's principal dancer Janie Taylor. Photo of Janie with Benjamin Millepied in Robbins' DYBBUK by Paul Kolnik.
I was aware over the past few years of what Janie was going thru but it didn't seem like the sort of stuff one should blog about. Now she has told the full story herself; it's upsetting to read because the factual recounting of her travails merely scratches the surface of what she must have had to endure.
Watching her return to the stage and following her progress has been truly gratifying for me; my sincere hope is that things will go smoothly for her in the future. Maybe we can now express a wish to see a revival of MORGEN; Janie's performance in that Peter Martins ballet was quite simply one of the most thrilling things I've ever seen. Unforgettable.
The power of the human spirit -- Janie has it for sure. I know that we both adore her so. I was also touched by the nice things she said about Peter Martins (and of course Sebastien).
Posted by: Deborah | July 08, 2009 at 06:32 PM
I'm really happy she has come out and told her story. She really is an inspiration on the stage and off.
My sister was on very high doses on steroids for over two years. The changes in her body wrought by the steroids was one of the hardest things for her to go through. I can't even begin to imagine what a professional dancer whose uses her body to make art must have endured.
She is a class act, an inspiring human being and a truly gifted, unique and moving dancer.
Posted by: perky | July 09, 2009 at 09:57 AM
It's really nice that Sebastien stayed by her thru it all, too.
Posted by: Philip | July 09, 2009 at 10:36 AM
Thanks for sharing. I adore Janie Taylor and often wondered what it was that kept her off stage for so long. Every time I see her dance is a time to cherish and remember.
Posted by: Laura | July 10, 2009 at 09:34 AM