Submitted by mimi Wallace, Feb 26, 2008 15:21

Dear Mr. Lobenthal, Unlike you, I felt the entire evening was self indulgent, exploitive, and surely and exercise in pure vanity. Doesn't anyone advise Ms. Vishneva on any of her choices to be presented to her audience? Or does she believe that the New York dance audience is naive and will buy anything as long as it's Vishneva on stage. I went, never expecting "Giselle" or other classical works. Still, I did expect to see something of taste and style. The Ratmansky piece was a torpid, endless excuse for a narrative . The music was insufferable and not compatable with the movement. I really hated seeing those dancers flopping around in their pajamas and calling it art! As for the Moses Pendleton, well the emperess surely had no clothes! The first section could have been performed by anyone, as it was in the dark. Are we really sure Ms. Vishneva even took part? The second was ridiculous beyond belief, and the third was a fraud. To see a prima of her caliber doing paddle turns in a circle ad nauseum was beyond stupid. I was incensed to have plunked down $110.00 for something that would normally be performed in a downtown loft for $5.00! I left before the Rhoden piece, not wanting to suffer any further indignities. I think half the audience also left with me . I have to truly question Ms. Vishneva's ability to see herself and to see how far she can dupe her audience. Hopefully, she will redeem herself when the Kirov performs later this month. What a waste!

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