As the curtain dropped on Wednesday night at the New York City Ballet, principal dancer Damian Woetzel bade farewell to legions of adoring fans who filled the New York State Theater to see him onstage for the last time. The performance featured three of Damian¡¯s signature ballets: Jerome Robbins¡¯s Fancy Free (music by Leonard Berstein), and George Balanchine¡¯s Rubies and Prodigal Son (music by Stravinnksy and Prokoviev respectively). Slated in the playbill to dance in only the first and the last, Damian thrilled the audience by coming on stage for Rubies as one of three dancers to share the male lead.
With the three distinctive and demanding roles, Damian summed up in one night the diversity and virtuosity that has defined his 23-year career. His performance left no question that he is saying good-bye while still at the top of the field.
Those in the know (which everybody there was) were equally thrilled by the illustrious audience, which became a show in itself as le tout ballet came out to celebrate Damian¡¯s retirement, including choreographer Christopher Wheeldon, American Ballet Theater star Paloma Herrera, and Alexandra Ansanelli, a former partner of Damian¡¯s now with the Royal Ballet in London. At the end of the performance, dozens of Damian¡¯s erstwhile collaborators came on stage to acknowledge him, one by one.
Damian visibly savored every second of his time on stage. As Prodigal Son¡ªand Damian¡¯s career¡ªcame to a poignant finale, the audience erupted in applause that lasted for at least twenty minutes. Damian was reluctant to overshadow his cast mates after each individual piece, but when the program closed, he graciously took center stage, soaking in his last moments in the spotlight. The orchestra broke into celebratory music, confetti fell from the ceiling, and bouquets of flowers rained on the stage.
After the show, the celebration spilled over into O¡¯Neal¡¯s, the ultimate artist hangout across from Lincoln Center, which was packed with Damian¡¯s friends, family, and countless collaborators. ¡°This has been the journey of a thousand lives,¡± Damian told the well-wishers, ¡°and I look forward to repaying all of my debts.¡± Damian¡¯s next step will be in his role as the Artistic Director of the Vail International Dance Festival. From that lofty post, well, the sky is the limit.
