ABT at the Met: This triple bill of ballets, with an addtional glittering pas de deux, is a delightful introduction to the range and excitement of American Ballet Theatre's reperatory. The first piece is Les Sylphides in w... more »hich Mikhail Baryshnikov is the poet surrounded by the drifting chorus of sylphs. The Sylvia Pas de deux is a sparkling duet for Martine van Hamel and Patrick Bissell, and it is followed by Triad, one of Sir Kenneth MacMillan's most poetic and sensitive short ballets. Finally, in a blaze of brilliant dancing, the Grand Pas from Paquita shows off the technical virtuousity of ABT's dancers in a cascade of mock-Spanish bravura choreography staged by Natalia Makarova from the original Petipa version. The Dream: A comical tale of fairies, mismatched lovers, and a mischievous sprite, Sir Frederick Ashton?s enduring one-act ballet, The Dream, has delighted audiences since its premiere in 1964. Set to the ethereal music of Felix Mendelssohn, the ballet is a charming interpretation of William Shakespeare?s A Midsummer Night?s Dream. "Ashton?s genius soars typically to the heights of poetic metaphor," boasted The New York Times. "Charm is making a comeback in New York this spring," enthused The Washington Post. The New York Observer described the ballet as "so fluent, so charged, so natural," that "you know you?re in the hands of a master." To celebrate the centennial of Ashton?s birth, DANCE IN AMERICA presents American Ballet Theatre?s acclaimed staging, starring Ethan Stiefel, Alessandra Ferri, and Herman Cornejo.16:9 Anamorphic Widescreen. 5.1 Dolby Surround. Born To Be Wild: The depth of male dancing at American Ballet Theatre today is unprecedented in the history of American ballet, thanks to the cadre of international talent gathered by Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie. This performance documentary travels home with Jose Manuel Carreņo (Cuba), Angel Corella (Spain), Vladimir Malakhov (Russia), and Ethan Stiefel (USA), exploring the dancers? personal backgrounds and formal training. The program culminates with a work created especially for the four dancers by acclaimed choreographer Mark Morris, and includes revealing behind-the scenes glimpses of the rehearsal process along the way.Full Screen 4:3. Dolby Stereo. Don Quixote: Choreographed by Mikhail Baryshnikov after Petipa and Gorsky's original staging, this sparkling full-length production captures all the excitement, Spanish flair, and humor of Cervantes' masterpiece. It is one of the most popular and joyful ballets surviving the imperial Russian ballet's repertory. American Ballet Theatre was ecstatically received by the New York press for this performance. The New York Times described how 'the dancers had the audience gasping', while the New York Post felt that the company had 'never looked better. Dancing flows out of the Ballet with a boisterous beauty'. Starring Mikhail Baryshnikov, Cynthia Harvey, Richard Shafer, Brian Adams.« less