Behind the Scenes at Boston Ballet by Christine Temin - 2009-04

A photographic portrait of an entire ballet season

"An amazing book Temin is a crackerjack journalist, and this book touches on every hot-button issue that is relevant to ballet companies today"--Mindy Aloff

"Temin and Gilbert have given us a long-overdue libretto for a ballet about a ballet company Players on both sides of the proscenium will find Behind the Scenes at Boston Ballet a real page-turner!"--Toba Singer, author of First Position

For centuries, ballet companies have been transporting audiences beyond their workaday worlds, one performance at a time A layperson who sees a ballerina perform in SwanLake may be thrilled or impressed--may imagine the hours of rehearsal that lie behind each performance or understand something about the demands made on a dancer--but many who appreciate ballet remain unacquainted with all the steps, parts, people, and money that must come together for a world-class company to complete a season of performances

Beyond the flash of lights onstage is a world of physical trainers and fundraisers, artistic directors and executive boards, all laboring to ensure that the show goes on In this unprecedented behind-the-scenes look at the life of a company, former Boston Globe dance critic Christine Temin and photographer Wally Gilbert present a compelling portrait of the Boston Ballet Their evocative prose and penetrating photography turn the spotlight on all the elements--from toe shoes and costumes to rehearsals and revenue--that come together (or fall apart) in a season

Boston Ballet, in turn, makes a perfect study: After a rash of mysterious firings and defections in the early 2000s, the company seems to have moved past the controversy with a new artistic director and a new schedule of international performances Its story highlights the tremendous amount of work and energy that goes in before the curtain can ever go up