In the Wings: Behind the Scenes at the New York City Ballet [Hardcover]

Kyle Froman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 12, 2007

"Here is New York City Ballet as it really is- the good, the not so good, and the majestically beautiful. It's a true story, and it's told by someone who can honestly claim that he was there."

Editorial Reviews

Review

An 11-year veteran dancer for the New York City Ballet, Froman here documents life in the corps de ballet in a photo-album an diarylike format. Presenting a day in the life of dancers, he takes readers through the stages of warming up, class, physical therapy, rehearsals, preparation, and, or course, the show. Froman confides, “I can hear the sound of cracking hips and knees. It’s just the beginning of another day of rehearsals with the show looming at eight o’clock.” He communicates the intimate perspective of an experienced dancer (“I just wasn’t expecting to feel so old this quickly”) while offering a private backstage view. His vivid descriptions and photos submerge readers into the atmosphere. An engaging point of view and an attractive layout make this an entertaining read. YA’s may also find it a good introduction to the dance world as a possible career. Recommended for all libraries.—Barbara Kundanis, Longmont P.L., CO (Library Journal, January 2008)

"Kyle Froman brings his stage experience to life in his beautifully photographed new book" (Vanity Fair, November 2007)

From the Inside Flap

"There are the world's finest dancers, and this is a chronicle of their struggles for perfection, and sometimes their struggles just to make it through the season able to walk." - From the Introduction

What is it like to dance  at the highest level with the largest dance company in America? New York City Ballet dancer Kyle Froman knows. He has danced with the company for more than a decade, and he understands intimately the daily quest for excellence that propels professional dancers to astonishing achievements. Like his colleagues, he has overcome the multiple challenges, injuries and fatigue.

In this beautifully designed volume, Froman explores the exhilarating, awe-inspiring, and physically demanding life of the New York City Ballet dancers. With the unprecedented behind-the-scenes access only a dancer has, his stunning color and black-and-white photographs offer an extraordinary glimpse into a special world that outsiders rarely see.

From the rigors of daily training to the transcendent moments onstage at the end of the day, these images vividly capture both motion and emotions up close, through the eyes and sensibility of a fellow dancer. Whether it's Peter Martins passing on the intentions of parts he originated, Rebecca Krohn and Sebastian Marcovici working out the intricacies of a pas de deux, or simply young students peering into a company class, the pictures display the energy and anguish, the exhilaration and frustration of the company's daily pursuit of perfection.

Beautifully complementing the photographs is Froman's personal diary of a typical dancer's day. From morning company class to rehearsal to performance, the text offers intriguing insights into the mental discipline and emotions that come into play in preparing for a show.

Open In the Wings and you will see dance from a new perspective, behind the curtain. As Peter Martins says,"No house seat can compare to what you see from there."

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (October 12, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470173432
• ISBN-13: 978-0470173435
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 0.6 x 7.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #572,147 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #37 in Books > Arts & Photography > Performing Arts > Dance > Ballet

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully photographed and written!, October 18, 2007

By 

James Dean (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In the Wings: Behind the Scenes at the New York City Ballet (Hardcover)

Finally a book has been put together showing the daily grind of what dancers go through. The book unfolds like a typical day when New York City Ballet is in performance season, and follows the dancers from morning class, through physical therapy, into the rehearsal studios, and finally onto the stage. It is amazing to see the human beings behind the images of perfection onstage. The reader feels a combination of exhaustion and exhilaration as the backstage life is juxtaposed with the breathtaking beauty that culminates in the performance. Definately a book for anyone interested in the arts, photography, or athletes. Won't disappoint.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic book in every way., October 18, 2007

By 

Mark Halperin "dance fan" (New York City) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In the Wings: Behind the Scenes at the New York City Ballet (Hardcover)

If you like great photography, beautiful writing, or dance, this is a book you have to buy. If you like all three, you are in great luck. Every page is a treasure. The moment I saw it in the store, I realized how lucky I was to find it. If you are a fan of the New York City Ballet, or just dream about it, you will feel you are truly part of the experience of one of America's great institutions. This is also the kind of book you can give to everyone on your holiday list and be confident they will love it -- classy, fun, and wonderful to have.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars drawing back the curtain..., October 18, 2007

By 

ebmanhattan "eb" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In the Wings: Behind the Scenes at the New York City Ballet (Hardcover)

If you've ever wanted to get a true behind the scenes view of one of the world's greatest ballet companies this is it. kyle's unique perspective and access is a revelation. from class to performance you will get a backstage pass and get to know the dancers in the most intimate way possible. i highly recommend this book for dance aficionados and 'beginners' alike.