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Fluttering arms, aching calves, bursting lungs: 'Swan Lake' is a ballerina's Mount Everest
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Rehearsing “Swan Lake” a few weeks ago in a sweaty studio, The Associated Press spoke with ballerina Unity Phelan who is performing the dual role of Odette and Odile for the New York City Ballet's latest production of the famed show. Phelan was one of three lucky NYCB ballerinas tapped to debut the role this past season. - photo by March 12
NEW YORK (AP) — Rehearsing “Swan Lake” a few weeks ago in a sweaty studio, trying to iron out some last-minute kinks, ballerina Unity Phelan stopped just before launching into the famed 32 fouettés — those crowd-pleasing whiplash turns on one leg performed by Odile, the devious Black Swan. “No fouettés today — save them for tonight,” directed Phelan’s coach at New York City Ballet, Kathleen Tracey. Dancer and coach agreed: preserving Phelan’s precious leg muscles took priority over rehearsing the fiendishly difficult move.