Rahm Emanuel's role as pointe man means new respect for boys & ballet

nydailynews ^ | 11.17.08 | JOE DZIEMIANOWICZ

[Coleus]

Belly up the barres, boys. It's a perfect time to take the leap and don those tights - or maybe that's vice versa.

With the flurry of attention for the ballet history of congressman Rahm Emanuel (President-elect Obama's pick for White House chief of staff), it's suddenly become a lot cooler to be a guy who knows his way around toeshoes, turnouts and tights.

PHOTOS: NEW YORK'S LORDS OF THE DANCE

"We're very proud to know Mr. Emanuel was a dancer," says Kelly Ryan, spokeswoman for the American Ballet Theatre (ABT). "His accomplishments have been so immense, and in a small way, he's put ballet on the world stage."

At 48, Emanuel isn't just a major force in politics. The often foul-mouthed pit bull (nickname "Rahmbo") is living proof that ballet dancer and macho man aren't mutually exclusive.  But he isn't alone in making this a heyday for dancing dudes. "Billy Elliot the Musical," which opened this week to enthusiastic reviews, has thrust boys and ballet into the bright Broadway spotlight. The show follows an English miner's son who wants nothing more than to dance ballet, no matter if his father would rather have him punch, not pirouette.

RELATED: 'BILLY ELLIOT' MAKES GREAT LEAP ONTO BROADWAY

"I definitely know about the stigma that comes along with being a boy dancing ballet, and that's why I certainly can relate to 'Billy' so much," says Kiril Kulish, one of three teenage actors who share the "Elliot" title role.

"But on the other hand, people don't understand just how masculine and strong you have to be in order to be a great ballet dancer."  Trent Kowalik, another Broadway "Billy" agrees. "Ballet keeps me focused. You can always work harder, and you can always work better. I can jump really high to sink baskets in basketball and I am faster on my feet, and I have really good coordination."

As for teasing about tights? "I think it's much more acceptable to be in ballet these days and in dance in general, which really is a wonderful thing," he says. "Luckily, I never had to wear tights in ballet class. I always wore shorts."

But should he ever have to don the nylon, he won't be alone. This city has its share of young men in tights. These budding Billy Elliots are poised for success no matter the direction they leap.

[Coleus]

      

Hard-charging congressman Rahm Emanuel was an accomplished ballet dancer before he entered politics.

 

Rahm Emanuel.....man of mystery or former BALLET DANCER

[Coleus]

Rahm Emanuel: “Dead! Dead! Dead!” Alex Jones TV 11-6-08
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LKXPUdup8s&feature=related

[madison10]

Somebody took my phrase..la...la...la

[Coleus]

ALLOW ME TO INTRODUCE: Rahm Emanuel.

[Vaquero]

next up for White House positions are men clothing desiginers a brace or two of interior decorators...and a gaggle of hairdressers and male nurses...

[Mr. Mojo]

The often foul-mouthed pit bull (nickname "Rahmbo") is living proof that ballet dancer and macho man aren't mutually exclusive.

Interesting that the author equates "foul-mouthed" with being "macho."

[Yo-Yo]

Rahm will do for ballet what Dubya did for cheerleading.

[Viking2002]

Ah, the manifestation of modern American liberalism - the elfin faggot thug.

We are so screwed.

[Hardastarboard]

I suppose with a title like that, there’s really no need for a barf alert, eh?

[JudgemAll]

I saw one quick footage of “scape Rahm” on TV, and I knew he were a gratuitous, rude stupid f@g lover boy of Obama. Another one glass boy perv. who likes to spank other little kids but would never take “critize” from McCain - hurt feelings.

Meanwhile blue colar workers and white colar workers who genuinely suffer through something don’t see their work being rewarded other than to sacrifice for these fools. If only they looked at the Bible for a second as the DOW is death spiraling to gov. supported bail out bonds for China instead of TV, girls and American idol...

THis whore has no cloth indeed.

[Candor7]

OMG Viking, we will me accosted daily by men in tights?

SHEESH!

Wel Obama is bi according to Sinclair, his coke supplier in High School. I suppose " The One" has to have a little eye candy around.

Scandal in the making.

[shetlan]

Nice turnout.

[JudgemAll]

Something is wrong when it takes me one second to see Rahm or titles like these and feel like barfing, while the rest of America seem to respond just as quickly in the other direction. This is scary. The nation is divided, freaks are all around, or at least severely mislead folkes, and I do not figure I am safe.

[ari-freedom]

Rahm will do for ballet what Dubya did for cheerleading.

[Viking2002]

Well, legend has it that Robert Plant and Jimmy Page accosted a groupie with a dead fish, so the potential scenarios for a Rahmbo/Hussein interlude are endless........

[ari-freedom]

We’re men, we’re men in tights.
We roam around the forest looking for fights.
We’re men, we’re men in tights.
We rob from the rich and give to the poor, that’s right!
We may look like sissies, but watch what you say or else we’ll put out your lights!
We’re men, we’re men in tights,
Always on guard defending the people’s rights.

We’re men, MANLY men, we’re men in tights. Yeah!
We roam around the forest looking for fights.
We’re men, we’re men in tights.
We rob from the rich and give to the poor, that’s right!
We may look like pansies, but don’t get us wrong or else we’ll put out your lights.
We’re men, we’re men in tights! TIGHT tights!
Always on guard defending the people’s rights.
When you’re in a fix just call for the men in tights!
We’re butch.

[LibFreeOrDie]

Anyone heard from ex-ballerina Ron Reagan Jr.?

[gleeaikin]

What is wrong with male nurses, except the name.

[Vaquero]

just the name....sorry.

[Cecily]

"... it's suddenly become a lot cooler to be a guy who knows his way around toeshoes, turnouts and tights." It's been "cool" since the 1970's. Forget Rahm, I will stick with the top drawer male dancers.