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HEATHER LISTON
A LANDMARK PROGRAM BRINGS DANCE TO EAGER MIDDLE SCHOOLERS.
Kathleen Moore, dancing the tomboy lead in Agnes de Mille's colorful ballet Rodeo, has just put on a dress for the first time, to try to impress the wranglers. Her male counterpart must, in the Fred Astaire-romantic tradition, tap dance to win her affection. In white cowboy boots and a cow-print vest, he does it. When she finally comes to her senses, turns away from the smooth guy she's been after, and kisses the goofy tap dancer, the children in the audience scream their approval. A young male teacher, caught up in the excitement, hisses ''Yesssss!''
''We perform every night,'' announces American Ballet Theatre's Assistant Artistic Director David Richardson, who is serving as emcee for this morning's performance, ''but nowhere do we get a crowd like you. We're glad that you're here enjoying yourselves, and I want you to know that we're enjoying ourselves too.'' It's clear that he's not just flattering them....