Leaps in the Dark

by De Mille, Agnes; Aloff, Mindy

• ISBN13: 9780813035703
• ISBN10: 0813035708
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2011-05-15
• Publisher: Univ Pr of Florida

Summary

Rediscover one of the greatest dance writers of the twentieth century "Aloff, herself a fine writer and critic, has plucked the best of Agnes de Mille, one of the most vivid writers in dance, and made a bouquet of them that is as pungent as de Mille#x19;s writing."--Alexandra Tomalonis, editor of Dance View "De Mille can be witty, wise, irascible, poignant. As editor, Aloff delivers her subject to the reader in full regalia, and the result is a remarkably scintillating volume."--Nancy Goldner, author of Balanchine Variations "From a lifetime of writings, Mindy Aloff has assembled a book that is de Mille#x19;s autobiography but also a chronicle about art and the world during the twentieth century. De Mille shows us herself and America growing up, Pavlova dancing again, Kurt Weill composing, and World War II as it transpires."--George Jackson, dance critic Agnes George de Mille (1905-1993) was one of the most popular choreographers of American theater and film in the twentieth century. She was also one of the greatest writers on dance in English, alongside Edwin Denby, Arlene Croce, and Alastair Macaulay. De Mille published eleven books, a review of the London premi#xE8;re of Balanchine#x19;s Prodigal Son ,and a monograph ("Russian Journals"). Sadly, of these, only her biography of Martha Graham remains in print. Leaps in the Darkis a dazzling collection that reintroduces de Mille#x19;s astounding written legacy to a new generation of dance enthusiasts. Mindy Aloff#x19;s brief introductions provide just enough context to allow de Mille#x19;s brilliant portraits to shine all the brighter. This anthology presents the Prodigal Sonreview in full, alongside excerpts from the monograph and eight of de Mille#x19;s ten books now out of print. The result is a beautifully crafted volume that highlights some of the most engaging, witty, and evocative dance writing ever penned. Mindy Aloffteaches dance criticism and history at Barnard College. A past fellow of the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial and Woodrow Wilson Foundations, and a recipient of the Whiting Writers Award, she is the author of Dance Anecdotes: Stories from the Worlds of Ballet, Broadway, the Ballroom, and Modern Danceand Hippo in a Tutu: Dancing in Disney Animation.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. xiii
Portraits and Self-Portraits	p. 1
Takes Her Own Measure: (Excerpt from Speak to Me, Dance with Me)	p. 1
Choice of Vocation: (Excerpt from ôNew York,ö Dance to the Piper)	p. 10
Uncle Ce	p. 11
People Mover: (Excerpt from ôThe Brothers,ö Dance to the Piper)	p. 11
The Bull in the China Shoppe: (Excerpts from Speak to Me, Dance with Me)	p. 12
Uncle Ce Weighs In: (Excerpt from Empire of Dreams: The Epic Life of Cecil B. De Mille	p. 25
Anna Pavlova	p. 26
ôPavlovaö: (Dance to the Piper)	p. 26
ôThe Swanö: Dance to the Piper	p. 32
(Excerpts from ôThe Kosloff School, ô Dance to the Piper)	p. 38
(Excerpt from ôThe Profession, ö Dance to the Piper)	p. 41
(Excerpt from ôThe Profession, ö Dance to the Piper)	p. 45
ôMartha Graham, ö Dance to the Piper	p. 47
(Excerpt from Speak to Me, Dance with Me	p. 60
ôKatherine Dunham,ö Portrait Gallery	p. 65
ôAlicia Markova,ö Portrait Gallery	p. 75
(Excerpt from ôHooray for What, ö Dance to the Piper)	p. 89
(Excerpt from ôTrude,ö And Promenade Home)	p. 92
(ôR. and H.,ö And Promenade Home	p. 100
ôAlicia Alonso,ö Portrait Gallery	p. 112
Three Soviet Ballerinas: (Excerpts from ôRussian Journals,ö Dance Perspectives 44, 1970	p. 129
The Stricken Body: Picture from the Inside: (Excerpt from Reprieve)	p. 133
Essays	p. 137
ôThe Contributionö: (Dance to the Piper)	p. 137
ôRhythm in My Bloodö: (And Promenade Home)	p. 148
ôThe Milk of Paradiseö: (And Promenade Home)	p. 158
ôOld New Yorkô: (Portrait Gallery)	p. 172
Art Is: (Excerpt from The Book of the Dance)	p. 183
Curtains Up	p. 185
Prodigal Son: (ôAcrobatics in the New Choreography,ö Theatre Guild Magazine, January 1930)	p. 185
Film DancesX by Agnes de Mille: (Excerpt from ôHooray for Whatö Dance to the Piper)	p. 190
Rain Dance: (Excerpt from Speak to Me, Dance with Me)	p. 194
Antony Tudor (Excerpt from ôHooray for What,ö Dance to the Piper)	p. 197
Rodeo by Agnes de Mille (ôRodeo,ö Dance to the Piper)	p. 202
Oklahoma!, Dances by Agnes de Mille: ô(Beautiful Morning,ö Dance to the Piper)	p. 222
One Touch of Venus, Dances by Agnes de Mille: (ôShow Biz,ö And Promenade Home)	p. 235
Fall River Legend by Agnes de Mille: (Excerpts from Lizzie Borden: A Dance of Death)	p. 257
A Lesson in Bowing: (Excerpt from Reprieve)	p. 267
ôPreparing for Performanceö: (To a Young Dancer)	p. 275
Life Lines: An Exchange of Love Letters: (Walter's Book)	p. 284
Acknowledgments	p. 289
Literary Works by and about Agnes de Mille	p. 291
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