4 replies to this topic

[Alexandra]

NextStage posted this on Links, but I thought I'd bring it over here for discussion.

Lewis Segal talks about how casting affects performances/what the audience sees:

"Dancing the Role Tonight will be..."
http://www.calendarl...l-45227,00.html

[Diana L]

I have to admit, for certain ballets, I will seek out the casting and go specifically for the dancers, not necessarily the ballet.
And when I get there and there's either a slip in the program or the announcement comes on, my stomach does do a bit of a flip.
The whole experience has definitely opened my eyes to dancers though, that I may not have seen before and how interpretations vary from person to person.  
I try not to look anymore at casting and just go and see what happens, after all, even the same dancer never gives the same exact performance!

[LMCtech]

I am always much more interested in the choreography than the individual dancers. Therefore, I don't tend to care who is dancing a role. There are exceptions though. I would like to avoid seeing Julie Kent in Giselle again, if I can help it. And I always like to see as many different Auroras as possible.

[felursus]

I usually try to see certain people in certain roles.  There are certain dancers I try to avoid.  Sometimes it is impossible.  Last season I bought several ABT tickets hoping to see certain dancers, and each time I got Julie Kent instead.  I am NOT one of her admirers and usually try to avoid her performances whenever possible. I have a limited budget and so want to see those dancers who I feel will perform the role the best.  Sometimes, esp. with NYCB, one gets to see a new face unexpectedly performing a role. Sometimes that can be an eye opener.

[LMCtech]

Felursus,

Seems as though we are of a similar mind in this respect.

I wish I could see NYCB more often. I like that they let unknowns take soloist and even principal roles.