George Balanchine loved America. This Russian émigré choreographer, who founded the New York City Ballet with Lincoln Kirstein, delighted in everything from the songs of George Gershwin to the city's ''Don't Walk'' signs. When asked why he would choreograph to the marches of John Phillip Sousa, as he did for Stars and Stripes, Balanchine replied, "because he makes me happy." On January 25, 1981, just five days after the American hostages were released from Iran, Balanchine added "Stars and Stripes" to the program, as a special encore. It remains one of my favorite ballets. I saw it as a girl, with several of the original cast, and I remember my awe at the finale, when a giant Stars and Stripes is unfurled as a backdrop while the stage fills with dancers. The spectacle continues to "take the top of my head off" every time.
It is in this country that Balanchine was able to make his great contributions to dance. It pains me to think that there might be other Balanchines waiting to get here so their gifts can find full expression on our shores. Here are highlights from Stars & Stripes.
— sdl