Postcard From Paris: The Finale

“Miami City Ballet’s Paris tour is over. It seems as if it went by in the blink of an eye. Three weeks, 14 ballets, 17 shows, amazing audiences, and packed houses every night. There were lines out the door and around the corner for last minute tickets for our final shows. Your Miami City Ballet really was the talk of Paris. Saturday night brought our final Parisian show, stirring up a mass of emotions, beginning in the morning as our artistic director, Edward Villella, spoke to the dancers. He reiterated the pride he felt as he watched us dance from the audience every night. He was chocked up as he said, “I love you guys. I am the proudest guy in this whole place.” The tour ended as it began, with George Balanchine’s Ballet Imperial. Even after the way Paris reacted to this piece on opening night, we never could have imagined the reception that it would receive on the last. The sold out audience rose for a standing ovation that lasted over 10 minutes. After we finished bowing, the staff and the rest of the company joined the cast on stage for a final bow. As we looked into the audience, confetti fell from the ceiling and the festival unfurled a banner above the stage that read, “See you soon in Paris.” Tears were shed and hugs were shared as the lights were brought up in the audience. There we stood, staring our new Parisian fans in the face. We clapped for them, as they clapped for us. It was such a surreal moment. Inevitably, the final curtain had to fall. As we were separated from our audience for the last time, the audience waved at us, and we waved back. We all feel so lucky to have had this exceptional experience in Paris. This was a once in a life-time opportunity. The success that we had was overwhelming and completely unexpected. We cannot wait to return and once again show Paris what we are made of.” For more on what is to come in Miami City Ballet’s 2011-2012 season, visit my blog, tendusunderapalmtree.com.