sealings

The fan who started the protest attended and posted videos of the whole thing on her facebook page.

I agree with foundoffouettes about the contract change, that makes a lot of sense. Just speculation, but the two week notice timeline Veronika mentions in the Russian article does make sense based on her social media activity. She was all smiles at the Vishneva farewell on June 23, then June 25 posted a series of photos from her Swan Lake taken a few weeks earlier, with sad captions about how it would be her last Swan Lake at the Met. I revisited the facebook page of the protest organizer and there is an exchange between Veronika and Nina Alovert that also seems to confirm.

Veronika just announced her retirement on instagram. Heartbreaking.

I would imagine ABT's treatment of Part is unnerving to the other principals, including Murphy, who are now wondering how much control they have over their futures at the company.

I am troubled by the fact that Veronika (and her father!) feel the need to address her situation with this Facebook fan. It speaks to a lack of coordination and understanding behind the scenes at ABT, and a great deal of disrespect toward Veronika by whoever is making these decisions. Perhaps she is voicing her position in the only forum available to her. Part spent most of her career with this company and at least deserves the courtesy of a clean exit. No senior principal should have the door slammed in their face. The phrase "because her contact was not renewed" has appeared in like three NY Times articles at this point. It is disgraceful.

I am astonished at how poorly ABT is handling this situation, both publicly and privately. It breaks my heart to see such a talented, respected dancer completely excluded from the narrative of her own departure from the company. This unhinged facebook fan is getting a little carried away, but on the other hand ABT deserves all the negative press coming its way from this mess. I hope some donors hit them where it really hurts.

Gossip Girl isn't too good about fact-checking... I wonder how much the writers know about NYC at all. Dan has lived in "Williamsburg" for four years while the apartment building they show is clearly in DUMBO. They also sent a few characters to NYU out of financial concerns, when NYU is one of the most expensive private schools in the country. They did a flashback episode a few years ago and introduced a new character, Serena's father Keith, but when he appeared on the show in real time a year later he had a different first name, William! So I guess be glad they said "dress circle" at all and not "pretzel stand" or something!

from the ABT playbill: i hope i'm allowed to post this... otherwise mods feel free to delete. ;)

Excellent acting from Vishneva this afternoon, really loved her in this role. She has such an expressive face and was so moving in the third act. Lifts and partnering were sumptuous. Preferred Gomes to Bolle... both for the clarity of his movements and the sincerity of his performance. That may just be my interpretation, however. I can't believe I'm going to say this, and I did prefer Part's actual dancing... but I thought Murphy's expression yesterday was better than Part's as Manon, and that she and Kent had more of a connection than Part did to Vishneva.

Julie was really incredible tonight; she showed great depth and range and brought palpable emotion to the stage. I loved the unorthodox staging of this production, especially the opening. The lifts were stunning... amazing complexity and partnering from Bolle. Dancing was excellent but much rests on the acting abilities of the performers... the relationships between Bolle/Kent and Kent/Murphy brought it to life... I think the other casts will be quite different. Can't wait for Vishneva/Gomes/Part tomorrow.

Veronika was tremendous tonight... so beautiful. This ballet really showcases her talents. As others have written, her grand jetes are just effortless and her movements are so fluid and clear. I was really impressed with Michele Wiles' technical proficiency and nuanced performance as Gamzatti, haven't always been a fan of hers in the past. Cory Stearns showed some strong jumps but was emotionally vacant; he had no intimate connection with Veronika or anyone else on stage, for that matter. Daniil Simkin had about three exciting minutes of stage time as a the bronze idol; his jumps were breathtaking... he took an unfortunate stumble up the stairs though. The shades weren't perfect but still very good. I really like this production.

thank you for this beautiful description. i can't wait for saturday.

who's in the romeo and juliet photo with bolle?

http://www.russiatoday.com/Art_and_Fun/200...te_Nights_.html this page has some beautiful footage of vishneva's performance on saturday

Vishneva's doing Fall for Dance a few days before this, I wonder if she'll also perform with ABT.