abatt

I think "street artist" is a phrase meant to signify a few things. First, his subjects generally are ordinary people, not celebrities or models. Second, his art installations are often displayed on the streets in public spaces, rather than at museums. He is certainly talented and trained in photography. He has a website where you can gain a greater understanding of his numerous projects.

Actually, while I don't support the idea of giving JR the job of choreographer, he is an accomplished photographer. The art installation by JR that was installed during the winter season on the promenade level of the Koch Theater was very impressive and exhibited a high level of skill and creativity. JR is famous in connection with his photography, I believe.

I think JR should stick to photography. The new JR piece wasn't awful, but it wasn't distinguished in any way either. As noted in a recent NY Times article, the opening motif "borrows" from Balanchine's Four T's. At 10 minutes in length, it was a harmless trifle. I'm not a big fan of hip hop, so the dancing of Lil Buck didn't do a thing for me. Lauren Lovette's choreography was classical ballet on pointe, but nothing too demanding. The house was crowded, but I'm not sure if that was due to interest in JR. The audience reaction was positive. The performances in Barber Violin Concerto were terrific. Mearns, in particular, was riveting and intense. I haven't seen Herman Shmerman in quite some time. These sexy romps where Maria K. can strut around in a bodysuit and twist her long limbs into all kinds of impossible positions are fun to watch. Amar Ramasar was a terrific partner. I only recall seeing Albert Evans in the role previously, and I thought Amar brought a lot more energy to the part than I had ever seen before. Namouna was brilliantly danced, but its length can be frustrating. Bouder's effervescent footwork in the cigarette role was dazzling. Mearns was a fearless force of nature. Hyltin's elegant refinement made her difficult choreography look like a breeze. Robbie Fairchild's charismatic charm is perfect for the role. As usual, Ulbricht's high flying jumps were amazing. It was an excellent way to begin the season, and so wonderful in particular to see Wendy Whelan back where she belongs. (Just noticed that there is a review up on the NY Times website, with a photo from the JR ballet.)

Happy to report that Wendy Whelan was in fine form last night (with Tyler Angle) in This Bitter Earth. The excitement regarding her return was palpable during the tumultuous applause at the curtain calls. No time right now to write about the remainder of the program.

Agreed, Play without Words was fantastic and original. I think the best Bourne ballet which is a reworking of a classic warhorse is Swan Lake. I saw his Sleeping Beauty live, but I was not a fan of it. The production values were very good, though.

McKenzie ususally tries to hire a well known dancer for a guest stint. The fact that nobody on this board of intense ballet fans has ever heard of Nedak or seen him dance, although he has apparently been around for quite some time, suggests he's not a major, must-see talent. However, there does seem to be an element of desperation at ABT to now fill in the spots for all the injured dancers. Nedak looks pretty good in the You Tube clips posted above. Is everyone who dances Solor at the RB busy? Their Bayadere has the same choreography as ABT's. We shall see what happens.

The dates for RB visit are too early for the LCF, so I think it will just be a rental of the Koch.

Now if we in New York could replace that same Peter Martins production of SL at NYCB, that would be great. No such luck, though.

I'm pretty sure the Mariinsky brought Sleeping Beauty to the Kennedy Center a few years ago. I have a definite recollection of seeing it there with Vishneva as Aurora and Kondaurova as Lilac.

Does anyone else think it's odd that tickets are not on sale for the purported joint appearance of Osipova and Vasiliev scheduled for July 25-27.

Yeah, the Hammoudi issue is very puzzling. Is he still in recovery mode? His chances of being a rising star seem to be fading. I think McKenzie and Martins are probably friends, albeit competitors. I've seen McKenzie at NYCB performances, and I've seen Martins at numerous ABT performances. (I sat next to Martins and Kistler at an ABT performance a few years ago.) I doubt McKenzie's request involved any high level donor maneuvers.

It's great publicity for NYCB. It makes McKenzie look ridiculous that nobody at ABT can fill in, so they have to go hire a dancer from their competitor across the plaza. This isn't some last minute emergency. This is weeks away. I liked Veyette very much in T&V, by the way. The only Bayadere TBA is the one with Murphy. Any chance they could persuade the MIA Hallberg to take that slot? He will be in Washington the week before appearing at the Kennedy Center with the Bolshoi. I'd also be happy to see Bolle, but he hasn't done Bayadere at the Met in some time. He may have retired that role.

News flash: Mariinsky's Shklyarov is now listed as Semionova's partner for the May 26 Bayadere on the ABT calendar

It's shocking that ABT can't simply teach Theme and Variations, a one act ballet that's less than 25 minutes, to one of their own male dancers to fill in for Stearns. Instead they have to hire Veyette from NYCB. This isn't the first time this has happened. ABT borrowed Damian Woetzel to dance w.Julie Kent a number of years ago in a Balanchine one act (maybe T&V, but I'm not certain). It's like Deja Vu all over again. Happy that Gomes picked up some Don Basilios, but I can't imagine him trying to lift Semionova in overhead one handed lifts. In fact, I don't even want him to try, because he is too valuable to lose for the season due to back injuries. Waiting with bated breath to hear who is replacing Cory in the other ballets he's scheduled for.

Perhaps this means that Vasiliev will dance Solor w. Murphy on May 27, replacing Matvienko? I hope so. I think they would be excellent together.

Per her facebook page, Kristi Boone Stappas is retiring at the end of the Spring season

One Hundred Years of Solitude is now no. 1 on Amazon.

Jared is finally getting his due at ABT. Good for him! Never heard of Kevin Jackson. Loved Lendorf last season. Too bad about Matvienko. Now Kevin has to figure out who will replace Stearns. So who is replacing Matvienko for his one Bayadere? Vasliev please.

I hope the folks at ABT are reading this and will act accordingly. With Stearns out, there is now a shortage of tall men for the season. Since Hallberg is unavailable, this leaves only Gomes and Whitside for all the tall girl assignments. For whatever reason, they don't cast Bolle much. Maybe they are planning to throw the not-yet-ready Hammoudi into the fire and see what happens.

Wow. That's a great discount. Almost makes me want to jump in the car and drive down to DC. It was really not too bright to schedule the engagement for Easter weekend.

ABT has posted the opening night gala performance w. casting. Stearns is not on the list of performers. I think it's reasonable to conclude he will not make it to his Don Q assignments during week one. Who is his replacement and when will they tell us? I wonder if he we will be out the entire season. The only other ABT dancer cast as Basilio who is tall enough to partner Semionova is Whiteside. Will they have Gomes step into Basilio, as he did in Washington DC.? I wish Stearns all the best, but I've been waiting YEARS for them to partner Part w. either Gomes or Bolle in SL. If that happens, I will get myself to the box office as fast as possible to buy a tix for Part's Wed matinee SL.

The casting is up on the NYCB website for week 1 of the spring season. Whelan returns, dancing This Bitter Earth. I will be there cheering for her. Now it finally does feel like spring, even if the air temp. when I left this morning was only 36 degrees.

I've noticed in the ABT playbill that ABT thanks a particular flower shop for providing the flowers at curtain calls. NYCB doesn't generally do flowers at curtain calls. They do lots of flowers at farewells, though. If you're a NYCB audience member they won't let you into the theater with flowers. They require you to leave your flowers in the lobby under the care of an usher and retrieve them at the end of the performance on your way out.

Alicia Graf Mack is recovering from spinal surgery that occurred earlier this month (from her Facebook page). That's why she was not at the YAGP gala. Hope she returns soon to the stage.

I'm not sure it's fair to read anything into the matinee scheduling. After all, Vishneva's 10th Anniversary celebration is on a Saturday matinee. Part has performed SL on opening nights of the run, as well as Sat nights in the past. It may be time to rotate her SL into the Wed matinee.