Act 1: Tempo di valse

Welcome on my blog, dear readers, here is again Jo March, your tomboy from Concord! Perhaps you are wondering why I am actually reporting on a Swan Lake production. Swan Lake! Perhaps you imagine graceful swans in tutus, a sad swan queen, big, cheesy, tragedy. Nope, this is not my report! Actually, it is about strong women. Feminism. Emancipation.
Recently, I have read about some intriguing productions. Not only Peter Martins' production at New York City Ballet, but also an old version with Erik Bruhn, Lois Smith and Celia Franca* (I found some snippets on the Erik Bruhn facebook page). Apart from the fierce, badass swans there is an evil sorceress. Yup, apparently, also in the original libretto, the evil wizard Rothbart and his daughter Odile were also only her minions (or is she the missing Mrs. Rothbart? Who knows!).
Apart from this issue, Odette is such a strong character. A man ruins everything – again and again – and only a woman would fix it, right? And Odile – she was always my favorite character. Honestly, do not blame her for being beautiful and being an outstanding dancer! The prince needs glasses, nothing else.
Right now, I am also listening to Tchaikovsky's music (Laurie prefers playing Beethoven and Mozart, but at least I am capable of listening). The (actual) introduction (not the Swan Lake scene/theme) is so chilling and thrilling! Just like a moon light lake with a swan and a rising tempest. But my true favorite is the Black Swan Pas de deux. Well, just remove Black Swan! It was composed to be a pas de deux for two marry makers or perhaps a peasant girl and the prince. There is nothing evil in it. Literally just fun! The beginning is a waltz – really spicy and feisty! Perhaps you have seen it in "Barbie in The Pink shoes" or on stage. I'm putting here a link for the waltz beginning of it (tempo di valse) watch?v=2W4Iq-o0Vo4.
But now it is time for interviewing the choreographer!
(*Read full article on: . )

"And you are infamous Amy March?" Mr. Ashwell wanted to know, when he reached his hand to her.
"Um…, yes." Amy replied a bit flustered.
"And she is my sister" added Jo with glowing eyes.
"What a talented family! I am pleased to meet you. I have read reviews about your previous performances. I still can't understand Mr. Davis' decision. But anyway, may I introduce you to the dancers?"
"Of course, thank you very much!" Amy replied, somehow relieved. And Robert Ashwell, the choreographer seemed to be very nice! He was perhaps between 30 and 40, and had curly, brown hair.
Amy, Jo and Laurie followed Robert Ashwell through the training rooms. In a big room with a mirror at the whole wall, swans were rehearsing. Well, future swans, of course! The female ballet dancers had only the white skirt from their costume and apart from those, rather casual training clothes.
"Aw, the waltz from Act 2!" sighed Amy.
But then she saw the dancers at the right edge, near to a piano. Fred! Flo! And there was also Valeri, who witnessed her as the first.
"Amy! What a surprise!" he called her. "Now, you will have to admit I am a perfect jester!"
Flo was also waving and then she hugged Amy. "Amy, I'm hoping so much that you will be back soon! You were so brilliant as Aurora." her best friend whispered.
Fred frowned, when he saw Laurie, but then his face was bright again.
"I think I do not have to introduce everyone here! Florence Carrol is our beautiful Swan Queen; Fred Vaughn is Prince Siegfried; Valeri Rodutov is the jester; and those ladies are the big swans!"
"Hi, I am June Elliot!" said a tall, thin woman with black hair.
The other dancer, with red, curly hair and blue eyes, had a haughty look and seemed also a bit shocked, when she witnessed Amy but the impression vanished and she smiled. With a strong Russian accent, she said: "Privet, my name is Vanessa Snegukova! I'm coming from the Royal State Ballet of Moscow,"
Strange, Amy thought. Somehow she seemed to be so familiar. Well, yes, probably she reminded her of Posy Fossil, from Ballet Shoes.
"Sorry, I am late!" a male voice was calling with an odd accent; A big man, just like a bear, entered the room. He had brown hair and he was not handsome at all, Amy thought. Though, he seemed to be very nice.
"May I introduce our wizard Rothbart? This is Friedrich Bhaer. He joined us from Berlin Staatsballett."
"Hallo, you may call me Freddy, if you want." he said.
"What a coincidence!" Jo said. "Do you actually know that Rothbart is probably named after Emperor Friedrich Barbarossa? Barbarossa is the Italian nickname for the German word Rotbart. It means red beard, but usually, the wizard has no red beard anymore, and you have neither…"
"Enough, Jo!" Amy said and pushed her playfully.
"This is not a problem. I like to talk with you or other persons about ballet history and historical research, but later." Friedrich replied.
"Yes, later is a very good idea! I would love to show you a bit choreography and then Miss Jo can ask her questions." Mr. Ashwell suggested.

So, Amy, Laurie and Jo sat down on plastic chairs. Amy was looking forward to it, although she felt a little bit jealousy. The lakeside of Swan Lake was something she always wanted to dance – being Odette was the crown for each ballerina. But also Flo managed the difficult steps and the iconic flapping with the arms.
"My goodness!" Jo whispered to her, "Flo is as interesting as a bottle of pickles." Jo was right, as Flo's expression was with almost no emotion. Even when dancing with Fred, she seemed rather like a fragile fog than any enchanted maiden.
"Very well done!" said Mr. Ashwell. "And now the black swan pas de deux!"
It was hard to imagine everything without costumes, but there were at last the music and the familiar steps. Flo/Odile was on the floor and reached out for her prince, she stretched out her leg nicely in an arabesque…."No, Flo! You must lure him!" Mr. Ashwell shouted and the young musician at the piano stopped at once and she turned around. Flo and Fred did also stop.
"Flo, you are an excellent Swan Queen, but as Black Swan you have to be a vamp, a diva, a temptress!"
"I'm trying…" Flo said and she had tears in her eyes.
"Well, do not make me change the cast! Now, big swans!" Mr. Ashwell called. June and Vanessa went in the center, and for a second, Amy thought Vanessa seemed to be a bit gleeful.

Later, when Jo had her interview with Mr. Ashwell, Amy and Laurie were exploring a bit the rooms of the building and then they rested outside at a beautiful water fountain.
"Sometimes I wonder why I actually became a ballerina. I could have been a top manager. An actress. Or a painter perhaps." Amy sighed.
Laurie kissed her and said: "Do not worry, I love you so much – whatever you are doing, Mylady."
"Aw, Laurie, and what about you?" Amy touched Laurie's hands. She loved them very much because they were used to play the piano and could be also very sensitive. In love matters.
"Well, I was thinking of the woman playing the piano. What is my future? With my grandfather's business, I will never have problems with money…but will I be happy with it?"
"Do you admit that you were watching the young woman at the piano? What is her name? I will have to get rid of her at once, Mylord!" Amy teased him and tickled Laurie.
"Help! Where is Jo, when she is needed!" Laurie laughed and pretended to be surrender.
"No idea, but I think we should free poor Mr. Ashwell from her." Amy said.
Laurie and Amy went inside again. In the hall, they were actually almost bumping at Jo, who were apparently running outside at the moment.
"Amy, I'm glad to see you! The interview was bull…..meh. Illusions, dreams, drowning….he was rather upset when I told him that it was nothing new, but all bad. Why do choreographers never understand their own productions?"
"Oh no, Jo, you are dreadful!" Amy sighed.
"Come on, I have to show you something!" Jo said and grabbed Amy. She pulled her outside and she typed something on her mobile.
"Wow, this sounds like the beginning of the Black Swan Pas de deux! But what are….No!"
Amy called, when Jo gave her the mobile and then she started moving and dancing. She used the swan movements with her arms, tossed her chestnut brown hair, she turned around and shook her hips.
"Not bad, it reminds me of Taylor Swift in "Shake it off"" Laurie said grinning.
Amy had to admit it looked interesting. Jo did dance in sneakers, black leggings and a red sweater; and some people gathering around were even laughing and clapping.
"Very intriguing!" she heard suddenly a voice. It was Mr. Ashwell, leaving the theatre building.
Jo stopped, just like frozen, and Amy switched Jo's mobile out.
"Miss March, I am impressed. Perhaps you are right and I should modify my performance a bit. Would you love to join the production as Black Swan?"
"Whaat?" "Whoa!" Jo and Amy exclaimed at the same time.
"But…I can't dance on pointe shoes. I'm just doing a bit Salsa for fun…." Jo stammered.
"Not the pas de deux, of course. But well, what about the Spanish Dance? As Black swan, nevertheless."
"Cool!" Jo answered, with very red cheeks.
"Mr. Ashwell, but what about the Black Swan Pas de deux? The audience would miss it." Amy tried to interfere.
"No problem, perhaps we'll do it in Act 1 instead. Just like in the Bourmeister productions, but only without the "Tchaikovsky pas de deux" as replacement. I guess you know it from La Scala or Stanislawsky." Mr. Ashwell replied.
"But who should be the princess in it?" Amy asked.
"What about Amy?" Jo suggested. Amy turned to her, bewildered.
"From what I have seen and read, I could imagine it." Mr Ashwell said, scanning both sisters very carefully.
"So, my girlfriend is dancing again with Fred Vaughn? All right and I am useless this time. I think you wouldn't need a second in command for the piano?" Laurie joked, but Amy guessed there was real jealousy.
"Please, Mr. Ashwell, I think Laurie wouldn't want me to dance." Amy said
"No, Amy, just do it – it is your comeback!" Laurie said and kissed her on the forehead.
"I have got an amazing idea. Mr. Theodore Laurence, are you able to act and mime?" Mr. Ashwell wanted to know.
"Um, I love acting and I was also in ballet class as kid." Laurie said.
"Very well, Benno, then you'll see the prince soon. All three of you, I'll see you tomorrow, for dance audition. And I'm sure you two lovebirds, perhaps you'll find a dance for Act 3. Just think about it!"
Mr. Ashwell declared.
He said goodbye and left.
"Who am I?" Laurie asked, still confused. "You are Benno, the prince's best friend. And wow, are we really dancing together in Swan Lake?" Amy couldn't believe it either.
"And what is the most striking thing, even with me! It seems to be like in a movie or novel!" Jo exclaimed. "Well, very good that you agreed to stay with me in New York longer. I am afraid, that we will spend here our whole vacation!"
Amy looked at Laurie. "Are you happy to dance with me?" "Always and forever, my beautiful princess!" Laurie laughed and kissed her tenderly.

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Just some hints:
Mr. Ashwell is a nod to Sir Frederick Ashton and Anthony Dowell.
Valeri is a nod to Valeri Panov, an old Russian ballet star. He was also the jester in the Swan Lake movie and bluebird in Sleeping Beauty (the Kirov 1960es production.)