Edward Villella is preparing for his last dance. The former ballet superstar, who co-founded the Miami City Ballet in 1986, announced late last week that he will be retiring at the end of his company’s 2012-2013 season.
Villella hasn’t been talking to the press about his decision – we tried to float a few questions his way – but his age may be a factor. He turns 75 this Saturday, a landmark that Miami City Ballet is celebrating with a birthday party, open to the public, at 6 p.m. at MCB’s Wolfson Theatre (The event will include an advance screening of a PBS documentary on Miami City Ballet that will air nationwide on Oct. 28; for tickets, call 305/929-7000).
Perhaps Paris could have something to do with the decision, too. When you think about it, a company from Miami selling out performances in the City of Light, as it did earlier this year, is an artistic zenith that’s hard to top. Plus, by the time Villella takes his final bow, there may even be a behind-the-scenes reality series about MCB on the air; a group of documentarians are shopping a pilot to networks as we speak.
Between the international recognition and the national television coverage, Miami City Ballet is transcending its regional origins and becoming world-class company it always aspired to be, and Villella deserves much of the praise. There is no word yet about his successor, though MCB’s board have been discussing possibilities for some time.
In the meantime, Villella will steward his organization through two more seasons; the 2011-2012 season opens Oct. 21 at the Arsht Center with a program that includes pieces by Balanchine, Robbins, Wheeldon and Tharp. For more, check out the November issue of Boca Raton magazine, in newsstands in less than a month, for an in-depth interview and exclusive images of Villella.
