November 2, 2014

Life in Pictures: Wendy Whelan

By Rebecca Milzoff

Photo: Henry Leutwyler

For the latest edition of “Life in Pictures,” photographer Henry Leutwyler followed the 47-year-old former New York City Ballet principal dancer on October 18 after her farewell performance at Lincoln Center. Click through the gallery ahead to see her night, from final bow to bedtime.

* The original version of this article incorrectly referred to Adrian Danchig-Waring as a soloist. He is a principal dancer.

*This articles appears in the November 3, 2014 issue of New York Magazine.

October 18, 10:56 p.m. You know, I really felt kind of numb. I had cried quite a bit already that day, so I was relaxed. I was trying to connect with all the corners of the room; I remembered sitting up in the fifth ring as a young kid. Now I could pick out my niece in the second row; she’s 4, and it was her first trip to New York, and she sat through the entire show on the edge of her seat — and it was a long show! I got to wave at her. I’ve dreamt of being able to do that — I don’t have kids of my own.

October 18, 10:56 p.m. You know, I really felt kind of numb. I had cried quite a bit already that day, so I was relaxed. I was trying to connect with all the corners of the room; I remembered sitting up in the fifth ring as a young kid. Now I could pick out my niece in the second row; she’s 4, and it was her first trip to New York, and she sat through the entire show on the edge of her seat — and it was a long show! I got to wave at her. I’ve dreamt of being able to do that — I don’t have kids of my own.

10:50 p.m. During final bows: Jacques d’Amboise has always been amazing at passing things down, at representing a certain idea, the Balanchine idea, the American dancer. He was having a little bit of a balancing issue, and I could feel his walking was a little tentative. And he whispered in my ear, “Let’s dance.” And once he started waltzing, he was fine. All of us turn to dance as our sort of safety net, and he was absolutely on his game.

10:50 p.m. During final bows: Jacques d’Amboise has always been amazing at passing things down, at representing a certain idea, the Balanchine idea, the American dancer. He was having a little bit of a balancing issue, and I could feel his walking was a little tentative. And he whispered in my ear, “Let’s dance.” And once he started waltzing, he was fine. All of us turn to dance as our sort of safety net, and he was absolutely on his game.

11:01 p.m. Backstage with Janie Taylor and Sébastien Marcovici, who retired from NYCB in March: I had hip surgery last year, and as soon as I came home, they came over to visit and told me they were going to be leaving the company. I didn’t expect to hear that. And I just thought, “How will I go on without these two people by my side?” I really knew in that moment that I would be following them out the door. They flew in to be there with me.

11:01 p.m. Backstage with Janie Taylor and Sébastien Marcovici, who retired from NYCB in March: I had hip surgery last year, and as soon as I came home, they came over to visit and told me they were going to be leaving the company. I didn’t expect to hear that. And I just thought, “How will I go on without these two people by my side?” I really knew in that moment that I would be following them out the door. They flew in to be there with me.

11:34 p.m. My mom is more emotional than I am, and I never know what her emotions are going to be. She told me, “I didn’t think I could ever be so happy — I’m just so happy for you!” I think people were expecting to be sad, but I tried to make the night a positive thing and not an end.

11:34 p.m. My mom is more emotional than I am, and I never know what her emotions are going to be. She told me, “I didn’t think I could ever be so happy — I’m just so happy for you!” I think people were expecting to be sad, but I tried to make the night a positive thing and not an end.

11:35 p.m. I was feeling a letting go in my body — like something was releasing. I felt like all the joints were just relaxing. But also I felt really strong. You know how when you hear about dying, everything just softens and you just slip into that place? It felt like that, a little bit. There was no pain, no judgment — the death was very peaceful!

11:35 p.m. I was feeling a letting go in my body — like something was releasing. I felt like all the joints were just relaxing. But also I felt really strong. You know how when you hear about dying, everything just softens and you just slip into that place? It felt like that, a little bit. There was no pain, no judgment — the death was very peaceful!

11:44 p.m. The New Yorker cover is from the New York City Ballet orchestra; they all signed it, and it was a big surprise. I’ve never owned an autographed poster like that! I’ve autographed many a poster, but it’s a first for me to be given one.

11:44 p.m. The New Yorker cover is from the New York City Ballet orchestra; they all signed it, and it was a big surprise. I’ve never owned an autographed poster like that! I’ve autographed many a poster, but it’s a first for me to be given one.

11:54 p.m. I went through three pairs of shoes; they were broken in a certain way for each work. I had a specific pair for Sonnambula, to be able to run en pointe. A pair for Dances at a Gathering and Concerto DSCH — that was a quick change, so we cut the ribbons. And then a third pair for the premiere, and that will always stay in my possession. I’ll give the others to my niece.

11:54 p.m. I went through three pairs of shoes; they were broken in a certain way for each work. I had a specific pair for Sonnambula, to be able to run en pointe. A pair for Dances at a Gathering and Concerto DSCH — that was a quick change, so we cut the ribbons. And then a third pair for the premiere, and that will always stay in my possession. I’ll give the others to my niece.

12:59 a.m. The party was at Kaufman Music Center, on 67th Street. All my old partners were picking me up. That’s what happens when you have a little Champagne; everyone turns into bubbles. Damian Woetzel and I had our workshop together in 1985, and I followed him as he catapulted through the company, a few steps behind.

12:59 a.m. The party was at Kaufman Music Center, on 67th Street. All my old partners were picking me up. That’s what happens when you have a little Champagne; everyone turns into bubbles. Damian Woetzel and I had our workshop together in 1985, and I followed him as he catapulted through the company, a few steps behind.

1:06 a.m. My husband, David [Michalek], was talking about when we first hooked up and how I chose class over spending the morning with him having coffee. Argggh — too much information!

1:06 a.m. My husband, David [Michalek], was talking about when we first hooked up and how I chose class over spending the morning with him having coffee. Argggh — too much information!

2:20 a.m. That’s [NYCB principal dancer] Adrian Danchig-Waring. I think I was saying, “Those are my lilies,” and he’s like, “No — the hostess gave them to me.” And I was like, “This is my party.” And he’s like, “Well, they’re from her.” He’s one of the funniest people I’ve ever met.

2:20 a.m. That’s [NYCB principal dancer] Adrian Danchig-Waring. I think I was saying, “Those are my lilies,” and he’s like, “No — the hostess gave them to me.” And I was like, “This is my party.” And he’s like, “Well, they’re from her.” He’s one of the funniest people I’ve ever met.

2:45 a.m. Arriving at home. David’s hugely shaped who I’ve become as a dancer. He’s said to me: You’re a ballet dancer third, you’re a dancer second, you’re an artist first. I wouldn’t have this kind of outlook and this ability to let the past go with joy without him.

2:45 a.m. Arriving at home. David’s hugely shaped who I’ve become as a dancer. He’s said to me: You’re a ballet dancer third, you’re a dancer second, you’re an artist first. I wouldn’t have this kind of outlook and this ability to let the past go with joy without him.

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