158 replies to this topic

[mussel]

The Sat. matinee program is just too good to pass, even though I exchanged the ticket in anticipation of a major snow storm, I'll try to make it, there should be plenty of good seats.

[abatt]

That's how I feel too, mussel. I exchanged my ticket in anticipation of bad weather, but if the forecasts turn out to be overblown I'll just buy a tix right before showtime. (Why can't the blizzard come when there is an All Martins program? )

[abatt]

Tonight's show will go on as scheduled. However, NYCB has classified tonight's performance as a Snow Day. See link re instructions on how to exchange your tix for tonight if you are unable to come to the theater:

http://www.nycballet...ruary-2013.aspx

The statement is silent regarding tomorrow's matinee at 2 PM. They are probably waiting to see how much snow falls tonight.

[tutu]

Theater was maybe 70% for Friday night's performance, which seems better than one would expect, given the circumstances.

Naturally, Tiler and Sterling were stunners in the new Peck, and quite a strong performance from the corps in Symphony in C—they seemed completely energized.

[vipa]

I saw Sleeping Beauty this afternoon, and will post my impressions later. I was wonder if anyone else has seen SB. I haven't seen anyone write about it yet.

[canbelto]

I was at the SB this afternoon and thought that if Tiler Peck gave the performance she gave at the ABT, she'd receive huge prolonged ovations and flowers. Stunned that she got a polite golf clap for one of the most secure, beautiful Rose Adagio's I've ever seen. She really just sparkled. Teresa Reichlen's Lilac Fairy a bit reserved but beautifully danced. Great overall performance, loved it.

[bobbi]

Yesterday afternoon, Tiler Peck's Aurora was musically and technically a joy, especially during the Rose Adagio. I would only ask that she add a few of the signature gestures that traditional Auroras have. Tiler is new to the role of course and I'm sure she will pick up these little details along the way (either by herself or from coaching). I too was stunned that she got only one in front of the curtain call after such a magnificent performance. Kudos too to Huxley for his Bluebird.

[Michael]

Kudos too to Huxley for his Bluebird.

and also to Pereira opposite him as Princess Florine (note I saw them Friday, not yesterday). She danced strong, big, and with detail; looked happy to be doing it and projected.

mp

[AlbanyGirl]

I saw Sleeping Beauty this afternoon, and will post my impressions later. I was wonder if anyone else has seen SB. I haven't seen anyone write about it yet.

I saw it on Saturday afternoon with Megan Fairchild and I enjoyed the performance immensely but can't post my thoughts right now as my Golden Retriever, Fergus, is giving me the 'Fergie-eye' (i.e., he wants his walk on this beautiful day!) So, I'll write later about my wonderful experience at NYCB! Also, has anyone seen the performance I saw?.... (Sat, Feb 16, 2pm).

[abatt]

I've seen three casts -Fairchild/DeLuz, Bouder/Veyette, and Peck/Angle.

I enjoyed all of the Aurora performances, but I felt Megan's interpretation was the weakest. Bouder had the most amazing performance in terms of her level of technique. She is a powerhouse. Tiler Peck's performance was very musical. I'm always pleasantly surprised to witness how much Veyette has improved over time. He was an excellent Desire in terms of both his techique and his acting. I'm very familiar with the high level of DeLuz's performances, having seen him since he first joined ABT. I knew he would be excellent, and he delivered on all accounts. The only problem I have w. Tyler Angle is that he is not a first rate technician, but he managed to do well enough.

Mearns and Reichlin both dance Lilac with gorgeous phrasing and port de bras. Janie Taylor is completely miscast as Lilac. She does not dominate the action in any way, and her classical technique tends to be sketchy. She fell during her difficult variation in the Prologue the night I saw it (Feb 14).

I also want to mention the brilliant Bluebird of Huxley. This guy floats through the air. His feet are always perfectly pointed. Gorgeous.I hope they promote him to principal at some point. The only thing holding him back, potentially, is his height.

I don't have enough time to remark about all of the supporting roles right now.

This is an exquisite production, with gorgeous sets and costumes. There is very little dumb filler choreography in this production (compared w. the ABT production, where I cringe every time I have to sit through the spindle dance, the prolonged section where Desire defeats Carabosse, or the gutted wedding section).

[Jayne]

good to read that Sarah Mearns is healthy enough to take on Lilac Fairy. Probably best that she has this short role now, and not take on the marathon Aurora until she is 100% healed.

[vipa]

I saw the Sun. Mat. SB and agree with Canbelto that if T. Peck had done this performance at ABT there would have been a great ovation.

My impressions - What a great company! The fairies - Gerrity, Sell, Wellington, Segin & Mann all corps members, and all did beautiful, musical variations. Jewels in the last act - the ladies were wonderful. Krohn is a principal and was stylish and musical in her variation, but so too were Laracey & Pollack who are both corps members.

I have to admit that I was a bit disappointed in Reichlin as Lilac Fairy. She had some struggles in her prologue variation (Peter Martins didn't do anyone a favor with speeding it up because the step that turns and finishes into tendu is even harder). I just don't think she had the amplitude or gave us the generosity of the ideal Lilac Fairy. Maybe the way she kept her arms behind her shoulders threw her off from her usual mastery.

I thought Tyler Angle was fine, particularly in his coda. It's not much of a role for the man.

Bluebird - Huxley was the best I've seen in a long time - anyone out there see Ulbricht? Erica Pereira - sorry but I don't get her. She is looking stronger, but did strange things with her head, and nothing looks organic to me. It's as if some coach tells her what to do and she plasters it on.

Tiler Peck is a wonderful, musical dancer. Her upper body is extraordinary in her ability to keep floating on top while doing allegro steps. At the same time I know this performance is a work in progress as far as her characterization goes.

Since this is the only SB that I will be seeing, I hope to read many more comments from you all out there.

One more thing - NYCB - what a great company.

[Drew]

One more thing - NYCB - what a great company.

Absolutely.

[abatt]

good to read that Sarah Mearns is healthy enough to take on Lilac Fairy. Probably best that she has this short role now, and not take on the marathon Aurora until she is 100% healed.

Mearns has always done Lilac, never Aurora. They generally use the shorter women for Aurora, and the tall girls for Lilac. Janie Taylor is the exception to the rule. Vipa, I saw Ulbricht do Bluebird. Obviously, he gets a lot of height to his jumps. However, he is not an elegant dancer in terms of his line, which tends to get sloppy. I think Ulbricht is much more of a modern dancer, and does not look as good in classical rep.

Vipa, yes Reichlin did have some slight trouble in the prologue, but I thought it was minor. Mearns also had some minor difficulty with that variation, but not enough to be a distraction.

[balanchinette]

I saw Bouder/Veyette Sat 2/16 (night). Blown away by Ashley's Rose Adagio, which is THE best one I've ever seen (and that includes Cojocaru's on youtube!). Her characterization was spot on, from her first entrance -- she was so girlish and youthful, and the balances were AMAZING. Her hand went up to fifth and floated ever so slowly down to the princes' supporting hands each time -- both the shorter initial balances and then the longer ones at the end. What a showstopper! With other Auroras those hands fly up and down again to a death grip. Beautiful penchees and extension, amazing height on the jumps. I want to see her again but I'm not sure I want to disturb the memory of such a perfect performance! I don't know if I'd want to see any other ballerina in the role again -- this is the performance I'll be mentally comparing against. She was even better than when they did Beauty a couple of years ago. I was struck by her Vision scene then, which is still beautiful, but even more so by her Rose Adagio this time around. Ashley also has the best arms and back of any of the principal women at City Ballet right now -- her guesting in Europe really paid off on that score, I think. Fantasy casting -- I would love to see Ashley do Giselle! Veyette was also technically marvelous. Other standouts of the night included Lauren Lovette and Danny Ulbricht in the Bluebird variation. Lovette was lovely, and Danny's jumps were effortless. Agree that Janie Taylor was not the strongest Lilac. The faires were so-so, and I didn't think Ringer was a particularly effective Carabosse. But -- run to see this cast for Ashley's Aurora!