PRINCE~ Rare promotional DVD ~ The Joffrey Ballet 1993 ~ BILLBOARDS

Description: This is a rare promotional/press DVD from PBS. It’s the Joffrey Ballet dancing to Prince’s music. The show was filmed in 1993 in Purchase, New York and was transferred to this review disc in 2007. The DVD is stamped with basic information and comes sealed in a plain jewel case. The case doesn’t have any insert or cover. The DVD has the entire 75 minute show. Buy with confidence! I have a 100% positive feedback rating. "Billboards" is a rock ballet set to the music of Prince (or I should say the Artist Formerly Known as Prince). This recording was made live by the Joffrey Ballet at the State University Theatre at Purchase, New York in August, 1993.This is a crossover ballet, and it is divided into four sections, or "billboards." A different choreographer is responsible for each one. The choreography includes both classical and modern steps, as well as some other moves that you would expect to see in a Prince video.Billboards" is four choreographers' ballets rolled into one, danced magnificently by the Joffrey Ballet to the recorded music of a composer identified in the Brooklyn Academy of Music's current program as Prince Rogers Nelson. Yes, that's how he wishes to be billed, although an asterisk on the same program reveals the open secret that he uses the "stage name, Prince."Whatever you call him or "Billboards," the entire production was given a dynamic New York premiere on Tuesday night at the opening of a weeklong run, part of the Next Wave festival at the Academy (30 Lafayette Avenue, at Ashland Place, Fort Greene).Long before Prince became a star or sold 10 million copies of "Purple Rain," the Joffrey had pioneered the most successful rock ballets of the 1960's and early 70's. If not a pop ballet to end all pop ballets, "Billboards" -- even by the Joffrey's standards -- is a mammoth enterprise within the genre.Here is the ultimate crossover ballet: a sprawling, clever reflection of the uneasy cultural mix of our time. Classical and popular dance styles meet in "Billboards" as if there were no borders; images of sexual bravado beat a cautious retreat; trendy attitudes carry their built-in irony.In many ways, "Billboards" is more of a must for mainstream audiences than for the diehard Prince fan. True, the latter will discover how four experimental choreographers can march so differently to the same drummer. But more significantly, the quartet of choreographers (although unevenly matched), has translated the era of MTV into their own terms. A true rock ballet of the 1990's, "Billboards" looks askance at the popular culture that it also celebrates. The sheer energy of the Joffrey dancers, many of whom have not been seen since the company was last in New York in 1991, is astounding. The marriage between the music of Prince, a great artist and the dance of the Joffrey Ballet. This is something to see and see again and again.The choreography is very unique, very skilled dancers supported by an exquisite choice of music.Astounding sensual and hedonistic dance. Specially "I wanna melt with U" where a dazzling ballerina plays an erotic game with two male dancers, flying (literally) with a sophisticated technique of movement and expression. Joyfull!You don't really have to be a ballet or Prince fan to enjoy this show. I saw it both on PBS and live on stage, and this video is a wonderful souvenir of the show. It is fun, energetic, a little sexy, and features some outstanding young dancers. Not much "traditional" ballet here, but viewers can easily see how much hard work and discipline goes in to ballet training. Ballet purists may be a bit put off by this performance, but for the rest of us it a an excellent way to enjoy an art form we wouldn't normally view otherwise.

Price: 23.99 USD

Location: West Hollywood, California

End Time: 2024-02-29T14:04:08.000Z

Shipping Cost: 4.5 USD