Mere Rain asked R. Cooper:

This question is inspired by, rather than about, your short story about the Firebird. I've read a number of versions of the folktale, but realized recently that I've never seen the ballet (not do I know what version of the story it tells). Do you happen to have a favorite version, or have a recommended stage performance that might be available on video?

R. Cooper I've never seen the Firebird live, and I don't know of any full-length performances to be found online. I've seen clips, and I would really love to watch the Misty Copeland version, but I have no idea where to find it except maybe the American Ballet might sell DVDs? (There's one version that, even though I know nothing about costume design for dance except the bit I learned for Dancing Lessons, I cannot watch because the Firebird's tutu bothers me too much for whatever reason. lol. It just flops around and makes things look less graceful? Which might be intentional but still bothers me.) The music is available online, though, and I have listened to that.

(Ballet, like theater, needs to be recorded and accessible for us regular people, and yet there is still this attitude that to do so brings it down somehow. By what? Bringing in more of an audience? Helping us poors? Grrrr)

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