More Musings by Marianne

BITTERSWEET

Well, it’s almost that time again – time for another new dance competition show on TV!  And there go my Monday nights.  Why?  Because I’m totally hooked.   I think it’s just fabulous that dance is so hot these days.  Dancers are now IT!  We’re no longer low man on the totem pole.  We’re actually garnering admiration, acquiring stature - and, dare I even say it?… respect.

And it feels good.  After all, I am a dancer, always was, always will be.  How very gratifying that our particular discipline has now finally been acknowledged and validated.

That’s why these shows please me so.  I enjoy them every bit  as  much as the general population, and   probably  even  more – because I know what it takes to do what they do, how very hard  it is to make it look so easy,  and to manage to accomplish it all in nothing flat – very impressive.

I also think the judges have done a terrific job of educating America about dance.  I have a non-dancer friend who said she has learned a great deal about dance just listening to the judges’ critiques.  And that’s a very good thing; with each succeeding season, America does seem to be voting smarter.  

How I chuckle when I think back to the 80’s, when I was choreographing TV commercials. I can still hear those ever-so-wise pundits from the ad agencies telling me, “Dance is over now – this is the end of it – there won’t be any more dancing on commercials”.  Yeah, right.  I defy you to turn on the TV now and NOT see a dancing commercial – they’re dancing about soup, they’re dancing about real estate, they’re even dancing about Emergency Rooms!  Isn’t it wonderful!

So, here I am, relishing the popularity of dance.  But as I’m watching these splendid young thoroughbreds, there’s a bittersweet pang.  I look at those gorgeous costumes on those gorgeous bodies, and I can feel the weight of those beaded dresses I used to wear onstage.  And as I watch the women move so effortlessly in those 4” heels, I remember how terrific it felt to dance high on my releve and be in total control of my body. 

Now don’t get me wrong - I’m in pretty good shape… for my age - or any age for that matter.  I’m sure many women of my “vintage” would kill for my 115 pound body.  But, I know it’s not the body of my twenty-year-old self.  And sure, I can still get my leg up over my head, but now I pay the price.  My knees aren’t at all happy on stairs, my arabesque is more like a tendue since spine surgery, and those 4” heels will never grace these cranky feet again.   Those big jumps across the floor at the end of ballet class that I used to adore, will never again be a part of my life.

So be it.  Things change.  You adjust.  You move on.  Life is not stagnant.  There are new interests, new abilities.   And yet, at the same time, I feel I’m dancing better now than I ever have; certainly not technically, but as a complete dancer.  Wouldn’t it be something if the dancer of our younger days could merge with the mature dancer we are today?  Ah, dream on…

So, although I’m a different dancer now, once a dancer, always a dancer.  And my dear husband claims I still have the best legs on Broadway.  He may not really mean it… but at least he says the right thing.  Smart man.

 

Find out more about Marianne

 

www.manhattanmotion.com