Afternoon of a Faun: Tanaquil Le Clercq (opens in Cleveland March 14th exclusively at the Capitol Theatre)

[AFTERNOON OF A FAUN: TANAQUIL LE CLERCQ opens in Cleveland on Friday March 14th exclusively at the Capitol Theatre.]

Review by Grace Snyder

Nancy Biurski's documentary AFTERNOON OF A FAUN: TANAQUIL LE CLERCQ showcases the life of the extraordinary ballet dancer Tanaquil Le Clercq. Referred to as "Tanny" by friends and those that she danced with, she was one of the greatest ballet dancers to work with the great George Balanchine.

In addition to starring in Balanchine's ballets, she was his muse. The couple married and continued to work together as they toured countries performing some of the most exquisite dances around the world.

Tanny seemed to be on top of the world when an awful sickness fell upon her: she contracted the disabling disease, polio. Although Tanny survived, she lost the use of the muscles in her legs. The marvelously talented young woman was stripped of her abilities far too early in life and she was never able to dance again.