ABT Fan

They are also showing it live via Instagram live video right now.

NY Times obit: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/13/obituaries/mel-a-tomlinson-dead.html

Re: Laracey not being cast. That makes no sense. She would have been gorgeous in Serenade, among others.

I just received an email from ABT (Pointe of View) and the first article is asking folks to vote for the 2019 FEDORA Van Cleef & Arpels Prize for Ballet for Ratmansky's next full length production for 2020 - "Of Love and Rage" (working title). The ballet (which will be co-produced with the Nat'l Ballet of Canada) will be a modern take on Callirhoe, apparently the oldest surviving novel ever written. You can read about the story of Callirhoe, below. I can't visualize how this may play out on stage, but I really hope it doesn't turn out to be another Tempest. https://www.fedora-platform.com/competition/shortlist/of-love-and-rage-working-title/109?utm_source=American+Ballet+Theatre+Email+List&utm_campaign=d92fdb5e9b-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_02_04_08_20&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b753a183e0-d92fdb5e9b-135047773

I agree with the above regarding Huxley in Mozartiana yesterday. Wow. His footwork is so clean and precise and he shows virtually no effort. He is incredible. Serenade was gorgeous. Mearns and Peck were luminous. J. Angle was a fine partner, but I don't understand why he and brother always look so out of shape. I agree with others who do not like the yellow panels in the front of the dresses. I liked the "old" look of virtual transparency. Tschaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 2 was beautiful, although the female corps was messy and out of sync in some places. Bouder is clearly an extremely talented dancer, but she just isn't my cup of tea. Even when she isn't mugging, her presentation of "look at me, look at me" is a turn off. King was effervescent and Woodward really stood out as one of the soloists. I would love to see her in the one of the lead roles someday. And, how beautiful is Gordon? He has such a natural elegance and openness. I would go to see him (and Huxley) in anything. I didn't find the new costumes, and the vests, too overwhelming, but I was in the 2nd ring so maybe I'd feel differently if I was closer. What I didn't like was the all-blue effect - all blue costumes and blue backdrop. It was too much.

I’m so happy to hear that Gonzalez and Maloney had successful debuts. I look forward to seeing them featured more in the upcoming Met season. Thank you to everyone who reported.

I understand the points about the new bodices and vests, but I’m thinking they might look very different on stage. I guess we’ll see soon enough. I do like the one Reichlen is wearing.

All of his posts have been deleted now and he’s following no one, not even Rich. Very odd.

I would love it if ABT did something like that. I imagine finally seeing Abrera in SL (or it's white swan pas, at least).

Interesting that the only candidates they mention without any caveats is Boal and Whelan. Other than that, this article just says more of the same that we've already discussed here and read elsewhere.

An article in the Times about Stanley debuting in the role of Apollo. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/17/arts/dance/taylor-stanley-apollo.html?action=click&module=Well&pgtype=Homepage&section=Dance

Carol Channing died today at age 97. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/15/obituaries/carol-channing-dead.html

An article in the NY Times about the company's plan for a multiyear celebration of Taylor's works. Taylor's last commissioned work by Kyle Abraham will have its premiere at the company's Lincoln Center season this fall. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/14/arts/dance/paul-taylor-world-tour-michael-novak.html

I hope you report back. I'm especially eager to hear how Lane's partner, Gonzalez (a young corps dancers in his first principal role), does as Harlequin.

Yes! And, what a great trailer!

He's debuting Lankendem.

I kind of thought this as well, but three corps dancers are getting shots at some of the principal roles (Ahn is a repeat). The only other ABT dancer who could do Ali who hasn't already been cast, IMO, is Shayer, who will hopefully get the other TBA once he recovers from his injury (in addition to Lankendem, which he's done before). Mack has also become an international star, guesting with big companies. Otherwise, I'd agree about the regional company comment. I wonder if they're considering hiring him and this is a try-out. We all know they need tall, male stars.

That's great news about Mack. Hopefully, I'll get to catch his Conrad. If all goes well, I wonder if he'll join the company.

Best: Sarah Lane in Giselle and with Herman Cornejo in Other Dances at ABT. Thomas Forster as Tybalt in R&J and as Espada in Don Q at ABT. Jeffrey Cirio as Mercutio in R&J and as Harlequin in Harlequinade at ABT. Kimin Kim in La Bayadere at ABT. Finally seeing Tiler Peck and Joaquin De Luz in Tchai Pas at NYCB. As incredible as everyone said they were. Ashley Laracey's debut as the second ballerina in Concerto Barocco at NYCB. The swan corps in Pennsylvania Ballet's Swan Lake. Pristine. Worst: The scandals at NYCB. Devon Teuscher and Cory Stearns in Swan Lake at ABT. I was bored to tears and couldn't wait to leave the theatre. Stephanie Williams as the second shade soloist in La Bayadere at ABT. An embarrassment from start to finish. Jeffrey Cirio's departure from ABT to dance full-time at English National Ballet. He was woefully under-utilized by ABT, so it's a win for him, but it's a selfish loss for me in the ABT audience. Viktoria Tereshkina and Kimin Kim in Tchai Pas at Balanchine at City Center. No Balanchine style whatsoever and lacking in charm, musicality and chemistry. Ian Hussey as Von Rothbart in Pennsylvania Ballet's Swan Lake. Also an embarrassment.

How wonderful to hear. I really wish Forster was doing SL w/ her at the upcoming Met season..... I see nanushka and I were typing out the same thoughts re: SL..... 😉

Thanks for the reminder about this. What a fascinating interview! And, I loved his telling of how Fancy Free was created. Separately, I noticed for the first time how Woetzel looks a lot like Ray Bolger.

I'm logged into the app (works the same as on a computer or TV, I believe). It says it's only avail to watch with a Fandor subscription on Amazon. Oh well. I'll keep it on my watchlist in case it becomes available for me.

I just looked this up on Amazon Prime and it's not available. I can add it to my watchlist but it's not avail for free viewing....

Thanks for the head's up. I just added it to my watchlist.

I agree, in theory, but if Stearns and/or Whiteside becomes injured and has to be replaced immediately, and for several shows across several ballets (we've seen that happen), not one of those three has done or is scheduled to debut as Siegfried, Prince Desire, Conrad, Manon. I'd hate to see one of them get thrown into one of those roles with only a few days rehearsal time (aka Lane in SL). Separately, there are two Conrad TBA's that will hopefully go to one of those soloists.