Ballet
Who Cares?
This is Balanchine's valentine to Gershwin and to New York, and it absolutely glows. A string of beloved songs gets turned into sleek, jazzy, romantic dancing. If you want ballet that feels like a glamorous night out in the city, this is the one.
Fast facts
- Composer
- George Gershwin (orchestrated by Hershy Kay)
- Choreographer
- George Balanchine (1970)
- Premiere
- 1970, New York
- Structure
- One act
- Running time
- About 40 minutes
The story
Set to a parade of Gershwin standards, this plotless ballet opens with upbeat ensemble numbers before narrowing to a single leading man and three women. The heart of the piece is a series of flirtatious, bittersweet duets to songs like The Man I Love, Embraceable You, and Fascinating Rhythm. There is no story, just mood, romance, and the shimmer of a stylized Manhattan.
What Who Cares? is famous for
- Gershwin song standards danced
- A glamorous New York atmosphere
- The one-man-three-women central section
- Balanchine's jazzy, romantic style
Companies that perform Who Cares?
Who Cares? is in the repertoire of companies including New York City Ballet, Los Angeles Ballet.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a plot?
No, it is plotless. It strings together Gershwin songs into a romantic, atmospheric evening rather than telling a story.
What songs are in it?
Gershwin favorites including The Man I Love, Embraceable You, Fascinating Rhythm, and the title song Who Cares?.
Who orchestrated the music?
Hershy Kay orchestrated Gershwin's songs for the ballet, with some numbers kept in a lighter piano-based texture.
Who composed Who Cares??
Who Cares? was composed by George Gershwin (orchestrated by Hershy Kay).
How long is Who Cares??
Who Cares? runs about 40 minutes.