Performances in N.Y.C. Critic’s Notebook The next step for “Ballade,” coached by its original ballerina, Merrill Ashley, is to keep it in the repertory. Especially with Mira Nadon in the lead.

This all began with Gary. We were a group of strangers, who had come to the Lot valley in central France to play the piano for a week; keen amateurs all. Gary seemed the outsider – a little awkward, ...