What will you be doing when you turn 95? Not, most likely, performing on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera House, which is what the ageless Frederic Franklin is doing this week, appearing in the small but dramatically pivotal role of Friar Laurence in American Ballet Theatre’s Romeo and Juliet. A living embodiment of ballet history, Franklin was in the original casts of such seminal works as Agnes DeMille’s Rodeo and Leonide Massine’s Gaîté Parisienne. As a star of the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo in its touring heyday, he was celebrated for his partnership with Alexandra Danilova. His career has spanned everything from performing with Josephine Baker, to dancing in Broadway shows, to directing ballet companies. There is probably not a 20th-century ballet luminary with whom his path did not intersect. The upbeat Liverpool native actually marked his 95th on June 13, but since he is appearing several times this week as the Friar, ABT is taking belated note of the occasion tomorrow evening, and will honor him following the performance. His connection to ABT has included teaching, coaching and performing in character roles (including the Tutor in Swan Lake, his other role this season), and he has become a beloved member of the company family. He has earned the respect and affection of numerous ballet troupes far and near, transmitting his essential first-hand knowledge of specific choreography and stylistic details to new generations of dancers. He had a particularly fruitful association of Dance Theater of Harlem, for which he staged their exciting 1984 production of Giselle, as well as other ballets to which he brought invaluable knowledge and authenticity. About 18 months ago, DTH offered its own lively tribute to “Freddie,” with all of his Giselle ballerinas paid homage to him with praise and affection.
Just two years ago, he took on the demanding task of staging the two-act ballet for the Joffrey Ballet. Reviewing it in the New York Times, Jennifer Dunning wrote, “There was poetry and spirituality enough here, but also a more earthly life and eloquence. The Joffrey dancers performed ‘Giselle’ as if they believed it.”
Franklin has given informative presentations at the Guggenheim’s Works and Process series and elsewhere, making seminal moment sin ballet history come to life. He radiates joie de vivre and makes a petty detail as one’s age seem irrelevant. If one encounters with him at a ballet performance, or walking around the Upper West Side, his good spirits and dapper elegance immediately brighten the day. Tomorrow’s salute to this unique, invaluable gentleman is well deserved. Long live Freddie!
