Charles' Web Blog
An Evening at "The Men of the Ballet Russes" at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles
Charles Maple, Director of the Maple Conservatory of Dance
June 9, 2007
The recent documentary and feature film Ballet Russes brought audiences glimpses of a vanished classical ballet era. In honor of the Ballet Russes, the Media City Ballet presented "The Men of the Ballet Russes," a black-tie event at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles on Saturday evening. Kathy Crade and I got all decked out and treked down to the Wilshire district for a great evening of festivities. I had the honor of speaking at the event on behalf of my former teacher and mentor, Andrei Tremaine.
My teacher and mentor Andrei Tremaine
There were appearances by other Ballet Russes de Monte Carlo stars: George Zoritch, Marc Platt, Victor Moreno, Paul Maure and of course, Andrei Tremaine. The theatre was filled with celebrities and dignitaries of the ballet world. It was so exciting! I had last danced on that stage with Andrei Tremaine and his Pacific Ballet Theatre over 35 years ago.
The men of the Ballet Russes and their ballerinas for their curtain call
Marc Platt, Paul Maure, Andrei Tremaine, Victor Moreno and George Zoritch all share the same claim to fame: All performed with the storied dance companies collectively known as the Ballets Russes, which from the 1930s until the early 1960s continued the traditions of the original company founded by Serge Diaghilev in 1909. These men danced with some of the most celebrated ballerinas of the twentieth century and went on to successful careers as performers, choreographers and teachers. Now in their 70's, 80's and 90's, they gathered to watch films of themselves dancing in their prime, drink champagne and remember the era that was captured so magnificently in the Ballets Russes documentary.
Marc Platt, a true American spirit
As a young man growing up in Southern California, I had taken many classes with Tremaine, Maure and Zoritch. Each of these men were extraordinary teachers and individuals. In my speech at the Wilshire Theatre that night, I recalled how demanding these teachers were, and how they made me strive for that seemingly unobtainable perfection that was always just a mere inch out of my reach. By doing so, they made me hunger for their infinite knowledge and inspired in me a passion for dance that has supported me throughout my career.
Paul Maure, who taught me partnering
"The Men of the Ballet Russe" included performances by the Media City Ballet from selected ballets the five honorees had appeared in their heyday, interspersed with archival and recent film clips that included a photo montage narrated by Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo star Frederic Franklin — who is alive and well at age 93!
The evening concluded with a black-tie reception that doubled as a 90th birthday party for George Zoritch. What an evening! What an inspiration for all!
(Read the article about "The Men of the Ballet Russes" event in the online edition of the Los Angeles Times.)
Andrei Tremaine and former dancers from his company
Natasha Middleton, Andrei's daughter
Glenn Edgerton, former Artistic Director Netherlands Dance Theatre
My favorite lighting designer, Monique L'heureux
Que élégante!
Former Ballet Russes de Monte Carlo Star, Victor Moreno
Michael Roberts, Accompanist & Composer extraordinaire!
With Zena Bethune, fomerly with New York City Ballet
Charles A. Maple
Director,
Maple Conservatory of Dance
Email: info@mapleconservatory.com