The Setting

Although a lot of my controversy happened through the internet, where it really began to form was at one of the most famous theaters in New York City.  So, with that in mind, I decided to describe the setting there, as it directly affected what Macaulay wrote in his rather biting review.

The Place it All Began...
The controversy began to simmer (like a fragrant pot of hot tea) in New York City on a chilly November day, the crisp autumnal leaves then crunching under the feet of scurrying pedestrians. Those pedestrians were probably rushing to David H. Koch Theater in Lincoln Center in order to see the opening night of The Nutcracker danced by the world-famous New York City Ballet.  Inside the theater among the eager ticket holders and red soft plush velvet seats, sat Alastair Macaulay, the chief dance critic for the New York Times.  Wealthy audience members mull about in the orchestra section, and the air is abuzz with conversation as everyone slowly makes their way to their assigned seats. The lights slowly dim, and a hush drapes across the audience.  Anticipation builds.  Macaulay's fingers grip the smooth cylindrical ball point pen that he has brought.  With it, he will form the abbreviated notes that will guild what might be considered one of his most controversial reviews.  The expansive red curtains slowly open with woosh, the light's blaze on, and the ballet begins.  Tchaikovsky's music rings through the air.  It flows through the theater, like a cool refreshing stream on its path to the ocean.  The dancers, who'd been rehearsing for months, flew across the stage with grace and beauty that can only be achieved by hours of constant critiquing.  All of the audience is wrapped in the music's warm embrace and enthralled by the dancing.  That is everyone except Macaulay.  He has decided that there is one dancer who he finds enjoyable but the rest?, not at all.  Among the bright lights and costumes, stands Jenifer Ringer in the prominent roll of the Sugarplum Fairy.  In her light pink shimmering tutu, she confidently executes her steps, her pointe shoes flying across the stage.  And yet, Macaulay is still unimpressed.  In fact among the all the beauty going on onstage, he scrutinizes the physical appearance of the elegant Ringer and her Cavalier Jared Angle.  His pen quickly flies across the page, but what it has to say is anything but a positive review. 

Mccrum, Jeff. City Opera.  "No Title" 07/12/2011 via The New York Times.  Public Domain