3 replies to this topic

[bart]

The Spring 2006 MCB mailer lists the following programs for the 2006-07 season.  (It's not yet up on the website, which is often out of date, including continuing to list the 2004-05 season info on its contact to the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach).  Dates aren't out yet.

The "season" includes at least 4-5 performances at Miami, Fort Launderdale, and West Palm Beach, plus a few at Naples.  It also includes numerous Nutcrackers at all 4 locations.

Program I.  Don Quixote (full-length).  (Petipa/Gorsky)  This is a company premiere.  "The music, composed by Leon Minkus, is played by live orchestra.  Don Quixote is one of the largest productions ever performed by Miami City Ballet, featuring nearly 50 dancers."

December   Nutcrackers, Nutcrackers, Nutcrackers (Balanchine)

Program II.    Agon (Balanchine) -- Afternoon of a Faun (Robbins) -- Liturgy (pas de deux) (Christopher Wheeldon) -- In the Upper Room (Tharp).  The Wheeldon and Tharp are company premieres.  Faun was last performed in 2005, not very long ago.

Program III  Raymonda Variations (Balanchine)/ Lilac Garden (Tudor)/  Symphony in Three Movements (Balanchine).  The Tudor is a company premiere.

Program IV  Giselle.  Last performed in 2004.
There's a photo of Katia Carranza in a Kitri pose from Don Q, which may be one of the few hints they will give as to casting.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if Edward Villella would follow the trend of the other premier companies in the US and post casts in advance.  Some fans -- including the most devoted ticket buyers -- are interested in this information, believe it or not.  

[Jack Reed]

Thanks for posting this, bart.  The USPS hasn't delivered my season brochure yet, and considering what it did with my Program III tickets, which probably doesn't bear description here, I wonder if I can hope to see it before next season starts!  But: four performances in Miami?  It's been three at the Jackie Gleason Theatre in Miami Beach for so long, this is a very good sign and a welcome development!  As to posting casts, it's another burden for a website they're not spending heavily on keeping current as you note, and it could give rise to disappointment and complaint when, as happens in ballet-land, the promised cast doesn't appear.  It's a company with such depth, as you've remarked yourself!  Potluck chez Villella is usually pretty scrumptous, don't you think?

[Joseph]

wow, it seems that miami is really getting more into the classics - don q! giselle i know has been performed before. i think this is a great idea and will look forward to hearing about these performances. in the upper room sounds exciting too!

[carbro]

It sounds like Miami has another superbly balanced and interesting year ahead.  This company is so well directed!

bart, on Mar 14 2006, 05:15 PM, said:

Wouldn't it be wonderful if Edward Villella would follow the trend of the other premier companies in the US and post casts in advance.  Some fans -- including the most devoted ticket buyers -- are interested in this information, believe it or not.  

It's one thing when you're presenting a mixed bill with three or four lead couples and a smattering of soloists, but when you're doing a Swan Lake or a Giselle, when your enjoyment so strongly depends on how much you like the leads, I think the company owes it to their ticket buyers to make casting available at least a couple of weeks in advance.

Of course, for those who absolutely must know,  there is that 19th century invention, the telephone.  It might be worth a try, and if the staff finds itself spending too much precious time answering casting queries, maybe they'll think of a more efficient way to share the info.