Rstorms

I completely agree on the costuming! Those gorgeous ombre dresses are a vision when they are spinning on stage. The crisp, dazzling white of Clara and the Prince are stunning. (I was reminded of the Balanchine's Diamonds). Even with the moments I don't particularly relish (the bees), I find this ballet completely enjoyable for the beauty of the costumes. What gorgeous design. Too bad about the audience yesterday, Kaysta. Last week, I was surrounded in front and behind by children. (Even though I have children myself, I inwardly groaned a little because I anticipated many distractions.) To my surprise, they were all extremely well behaved and even enjoying the ballet! Maybe I was lucky. However, I do remember ushers seating people late into performance, walking all the way up the aisles and disturbing a large group of people who had to stand so that the latecomers could get to their seats... yikes! It did block the view of everyone behind for a minute or two.

Thank you for your reply, Laurel! Your insight is very helpful. Yes, the balance issue that I mentioned was during partnering. I apologize if I didn't make that clear. And thank you for clarifying the Arabian dance. I did not realize that he was a eunuch! Context is everything.

Has anyone posted or read any reviews of the Saturday matinee with Sarah Lane & Joseph Gorak? I've looked all over the place (rather compulsively I might add). I've even checked twitter regularly. It's crickets out there! Surely someone will write a review? I am very new to ballet going, and reviews often help me understand portions that I miss. (At this stage, I am probably missing a lot!) Here are some impressions I had on this, my 3rd viewing of Ratmansky's Nutcracker: The humor in the mice, especially the "little" mouse, is truly enchanting. Everyone was chuckling throughout the kitchen scene. Then, near the end, when the mouse appears again underneath Mother Ginger's skirt, the children around me shouted with glee. It is fun to see children respond so freely- who says ballet isn't accessible? In my section were children and young adults and middle aged adults and two beautifully dressed older women. I heard laughter throughout. The bees in the land of the sugar plum fairy don't really land with the same humor. In fact, I don't enjoy that part of the ballet at all. When they dance with all of the beautifully dressed flowers, it just seems like a bad joke that doesn't quite land. (Speaking of the dance with the flowers- did I actually see the very last dancer tossed in the air only to land on her backside? I don't know what happened there, but the chaos and confusion definitely took me out of the moment.) The dance of the snowflakes. This dance is why I've come back each year. Depicting snow that starts out lovely and sparkly and fun, but builds in intensity to a dangerous, life-threatening storm- of course! It's even there in the music. What is a delight. I wish a recording existed so that I could see it again. During the dance of the nutcracker's sisters, Isadora Loyola was a standout to me. She danced with vibrance and joy. The moment when Clara and the Nutcracker are mirrored by their older selves is lovely. The costumes are mostly fabulous. The Harlequin/Columbine is one of my favorites. The little mouse is perfect. The colors of the clothing in the party. And the shiny silver lining of Drosselmeyer's cloak- so many little details make up this production. Here are some questions I had. Could someone with greater knowledge and experience provide some insight? While Sarah Lane made a beautiful Clara, it seemed to me that she and Joseph danced with tentativeness during the 2nd Act PDD. I kept waiting for that moment when the prince would catch her or lift her or embrace her with abandon- the visualization of the heights of romance. It just never quite got there (for me). The orchestra would build, the tension would grow, and then the choreography was executed but didn't quite give me chillbumps or make me catch my breath. (The Part & Gomes performance in 2011 stands out). Did anyone else feel that way or was I missing something? Also, Sarah Lane appeared to end one of the dances completely off balance. I don't know who made a mistake- or if it was a mistake at all- but it made for uncomfortable viewing. The Arabian dance was baffling. With the likes of Hammoundi in the role, I expected something interesting at least. Honestly, it looked like a mess. Again, maybe I'm missing something here so I'd love for someone else to weigh in. The staging in the 2nd Act (or scenery- not sure what you would call it) is awful. They must have been going for a restrained, elegant feel instead of the over-the-top sugary sweetness that can happen when you think "Land of the Sugar Plum Fairy." It's just boring instead. There's no real sense of "place" in it. (Maybe they blew the whole budget on the detailed costuming?) Overall, I'm glad I went. There were some moments of great delight and beauty and real emotion. I would go back next year for the snowflakes dance alone, if I could. And in the hopes that that glorious moments in the PDD would reach the same heights as that Tchaikovsky score. (I'm partial to the Tchaikovsky. It's what really brought me into ballet in the first place!) I'd love to hear any impressions from others. I was so excited to see Lane and Gorak. What did you see in the program that I missed? Rhesa

Aha. Photo of the audience in the orchestra section- the other sections appeared to be relatively full as well Photo of Stella Abrera & Radetsky

Cautiously entering the forums, where I have been lurking for a year! I attended last night's performance, as I have enjoyed Sascha Radetsky's performances over the last few years. He truly seems to enjoy dance. Last night was the first time I have ever seen Coppelia, and I was underwhelmed by the ballet itself. I think I expected a more dramatic role for Radetsky's final performance. So I was somewhat surprised that he spent the entire second act slumped over in a drunken stupor! During the Act I, it was fun to be a part of an audience so warmly supporting him. His arrival was met by sustained applause, and he seemed to truly delight in it. He played Franz as quite a flirt, equally engaging the audience, Swanhilda, and all the young ladies around him. It was humorous when he appeared visibly frustrated by Coppelia's lack of interest. I was in a box seat, and could tell that Radetsky was struggling a bit during the 3rd Act. During one lift, I felt some concern that he didn't seem very steady. That being said, his delight and joy in dancing made the evening fun. The audience roared its support and appreciation for this obviously beloved dancer! It was a "who's who" in the dance world kind of night. Many ABT luminaries were there. During the 1st intermission, I noticed David Hallberg graciously posing for photo after photo with a group of young girls in the row behind him. (He made a quick departure after Act II to get a drink- I don't blame him!) Below me sat Ethan Stiefel & Gillian Murphy- what a radiant couple! His hair was VERY closely cropped, like a crew cut. I hardly recognized him at first. Gillian stood out with her red hair. What was especially heartwarming was Stiefel's enthusiasm in leading the applause. Even as the audience filtered out, he and Gillian remained applauding vigorously and shouting encouragement. The audience appeared to be full. Not Nutcracker full, but definitely full. Looking forward to hearing from others! I tried to post a couple of photos here, but clearly haven't figured that out yet. One is of Stella Abrera embracing Sascha at the curtain call. It was very sweet.