Submitted by Philip S. Rosemond, Oct 19, 2007 10:18

Christopher Wheeldon has had a charmed career. He choreographed a few good pieces as a young man and those who liked him and his work, promoted him. In contrast, his predecessor, George Balanchine, rose because he was extraordinary. Could Mr. Wheeldon be the same? Maybe. But, because of the exponential growth and ballet and dance in general, I have found that the greatest choreographers and artists show up at the least grand venues. "Grass roots" venues like lofts, school performances, the back line of the corps.

The truly great artists are promoted. How sad that their work often goes forgotten after they are gone. Truly great artists will not spend too much time with self promotion, publicists, yay-sayers critic/mentors or fans. They get in the trenches and then let their work speak for itself. Then they leave by the back door to avoid all the smiling faces: there's work to do and art to create; no time for idolatry and chatter.

Mr. B was like this. Yes, he attended functions and did the required schmoozing, but would he accept the the demands of mal-appropriate idolatry? Never. When he gave interviews, he spoke succinctly and eloquently. Then if he socialized it was with friends in his small apartment over an immaculately prepared meal. (If he saw a corps dancer reading a provocative book on a break, or studying when not dancing, he often took interest in them. If they just sat like bun-heads, they usually didn't get the time of day from him.)

I'm not stating that is true of Wheeldon or is a self-promoter. I am saying that all the hot-talk about him betrays ability and could undermine him by raising false expectations. Most of his ballets are good, some quite ingenious. But, what can ruin a talented person's work is all the speculation and the placement of hope. Aspiration might be a more genuine desire. Hope is a bedfellow of fear. Instead, wouldn't it be more prudent to quietly support this and other choreographers' work? Let us not turn them into "phenoms", asking them to sip champagne, take honored bows and kudos but are then requested to meet false requirements,. Let's simply allow them create, and let history sort it out from there.

Philip S. Rosemond, VA, USA

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