Damian Woetzel

Damian Woetzel remembers that when he growing up, he was "the only boy in ballet classes." But this year, in the New York City Ballet's summer school program at Saratoga Springs in New York, there were 15 boys. Woetzel, one of NYCB's principal dancers and emerging choreographers, had taken over directorship of the program from Heather Watts and his first "pet project," he said, had been to increase the number of male students.

Damian Woetzel has danced with the New York City Ballet to continual acclaim for 23 years, 19 of them as a principal. Wednesday night, at Lincoln Center's New York State Theater, the 41-year-old gave his farewell performance with the company, thus taking a decisive next step into his future. Not, however, before his colleagues and fans treated him to ovations, bouquets and a shower of confetti.

Los Angeles first encountered his expressive face, his lithe body, his mercurial wit and his dramatic magnetism a decade ago. At the time, the former Bostonian was one of the few bright lights in John Clifford's rapidly dimming L.A. Ballet. He was 15, and still a senior at Hollywood High.

For HALF an hour on a late May afternoon, Damian Woetzel had the New York State Theater stage to himself. Although odd noises emerged from the wings as stagehands went about their business, Woetzel, in a T-shirt and stretch pants, focused intently on the Chopin selections being played by pianist Cameron Grant as the dancer rehearsed three solos choreographed by Jerome Robbins, two of them from 1969's "Dances at a Gathering."

Southland balletomanes first saw Damian Woetzel back in 1983, when he was a 15-year-old Hollywood High senior and the big news in Los Angeles Ballet's 10th anniversary season at the Pantages and John Anson Ford theaters. Woetzel danced Balanchine's "Tarantella," Bournonville's "Flower Festival" pas de deux and other works before he left the company at the end of 1984--the last full year of Los Angeles Ballet's existence.

The final two programs presented by New York City Ballet in the Orange County Performing Arts Center on Sunday afternoon and evening offered no unfamiliar repertory--but they did demonstrate the extreme interpretative freedom enjoyed by the major dancers of the company. In "Who Cares?," for instance, "The Man I Love" had previously served as an electric tour de force for Patricia McBride--but, Sunday afternoon, Darci Kistler refused to apply any force whatsoever.

Damian Woetzel has danced with the New York City Ballet to continual acclaim for 23 years, 19 of them as a principal. Wednesday night, at Lincoln Center's New York State Theater, the 41-year-old gave his farewell performance with the company, thus taking a decisive next step into his future. Not, however, before his colleagues and fans treated him to ovations, bouquets and a shower of confetti.

Because it reflects nearly every facet of Euro-American ballet classicism -- every major epoch and style in the development of the art -- choreographer George Balanchine's full-evening "Jewels" has become a showpiece that major companies covet to display their prowess and plenitude.

For HALF an hour on a late May afternoon, Damian Woetzel had the New York State Theater stage to himself. Although odd noises emerged from the wings as stagehands went about their business, Woetzel, in a T-shirt and stretch pants, focused intently on the Chopin selections being played by pianist Cameron Grant as the dancer rehearsed three solos choreographed by Jerome Robbins, two of them from 1969's "Dances at a Gathering."

Former Los Angeles Ballet principal dancer Damian Woetzel, 21, who has been a member of the corps of the New York City Ballet for three years, has been promoted to soloist with the company. "I'm very excited and hopeful for the future," Woetzel said Thursday. "There's a lot of roles opening up for young dancers and I hope to be a part of it."

Because it reflects nearly every facet of Euro-American ballet classicism -- every major epoch and style in the development of the art -- choreographer George Balanchine's full-evening "Jewels" has become a showpiece that major companies covet to display their prowess and plenitude.

Southland balletomanes first saw Damian Woetzel back in 1983, when he was a 15-year-old Hollywood High senior and the big news in Los Angeles Ballet's 10th anniversary season at the Pantages and John Anson Ford theaters. Woetzel danced Balanchine's "Tarantella," Bournonville's "Flower Festival" pas de deux and other works before he left the company at the end of 1984--the last full year of Los Angeles Ballet's existence.

Damian Woetzel remembers that when he growing up, he was "the only boy in ballet classes." But this year, in the New York City Ballet's summer school program at Saratoga Springs in New York, there were 15 boys. Woetzel, one of NYCB's principal dancers and emerging choreographers, had taken over directorship of the program from Heather Watts and his first "pet project," he said, had been to increase the number of male students.

Los Angeles first encountered his expressive face, his lithe body, his mercurial wit and his dramatic magnetism a decade ago. At the time, the former Bostonian was one of the few bright lights in John Clifford's rapidly dimming L.A. Ballet. He was 15, and still a senior at Hollywood High.

The final two programs presented by New York City Ballet in the Orange County Performing Arts Center on Sunday afternoon and evening offered no unfamiliar repertory--but they did demonstrate the extreme interpretative freedom enjoyed by the major dancers of the company. In "Who Cares?," for instance, "The Man I Love" had previously served as an electric tour de force for Patricia McBride--but, Sunday afternoon, Darci Kistler refused to apply any force whatsoever.

Principals of New York City Ballet has announced changes in programming for its upcoming engagement, Oct. 7-9, at Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. Now showcasing five Los Angeles premieres, the engagement will feature American Ballet Theatre principal dancers Julie Kent and Paloma Herrera as guest artists. Next Friday at 8 p.m.

The New York City Ballet has announced changes in programming for its engagement Friday through Oct. 9 at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. Now showcasing five Los Angeles-area premieres, the run will feature American Ballet Theatre principal dancers Julie Kent and Paloma Herrera as guest artists.