Boston Ballet Returns to Norwood High Auditorium for Second Annual Performance-October 30, 1968

Over 500 Spectators Attend Professional Ballet Performance and Lecture Demonstration

For the second consecutive year, the Boston Ballet Company brought professional dance to Norwood, performing before a packed audience of over 500 spectators in the Norwood High School auditorium. Sponsored by the Norwood Friends of the Library—under the leadership of president Betsy Danovitch—the triumphant return built upon the success of the troupe’s historic debut in town a year prior.

Nearly half of the enthusiastic audience consisted of children under the age of 12. The evening opened with an engaging lecture demonstration conducted by artistic director Miss E. Virginia Williams, who introduced young spectators and their parents to the rigorous training, basic steps, and foundational techniques of classical ballet. Using folding chairs as practice barres, seven members of the troupe demonstrated daily studio life under the watchful eye of their master instructor.

Miss Williams entertained the crowd with witty commentary, explaining terminology such as a grand battement translating to a “big kick” and noting that dancers “like to do turns because they’re fun,” all while keeping the young audience captivated.

Classical Repertoire Highlights Regional Ballerinas and Guest Artists

Transitioning from instruction to serious performance, the second half of the program featured classical masterworks:

• Pas de Quatre: Recreated by choreographer Anton Delin from an 1845 original danced for Queen Victoria, featuring the aloof, precise footwork of Laura Young of Cohasset and the sprightly, bubbling jumps of Ellen O’Reilly of Foxboro (both captured in rehearsal photography by Kenneth F. McLean).
• Flower Festival in Genzano: A traditional Royal Danish Ballet favorite highlighting the flowing leaps of Alphonse Poulin and the soaring extensions of ballerina Edra Toth.
• Pas de Dix: A climactic Balanchine piece featuring Anamarie Sarazin in the prima role, partnered by the highly accomplished Robert Steele, supported by dynamic ensemble dancing.

Concluding the successful cultural evening, the Library Friends announced that their next community event will be a children’s art exhibition hosted at the Morrill Library during the third week of November.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger