cobweb

Unlike others here, I didn't love this program. It really dragged for me, until Symphony in C came along with a thrilling jolt. This was my first time seeing Bourree Fantasque. I could see it again and enjoy it, although I suspect it would wear thin quickly. I'm not sure why this was chosen for such a major revival. Highlights were Nadon of course, and Gilbert Bolden who dances with confidence and authority. Even with top-notch principals like Megan Fairchild and Daniel Ulbricht, Steadfast Tin Soldier felt painfully precious. (And I speak as someone who absolutely loves Nutcracker.) Errante (or Tzigane -- I agree it should have been given a more distinctive new name) is a spectacular vehicle for Mira Nadon. They must have someone else rehearsing it; the obvious, and only, other dancer I can think of here would be Sara Mearns. It was *great* to see Aaron Sanz back dancing again! It's been way way too long. Symphony in C. Good all around. Gerrity didn't bring the kind of expansive grandeur I would have expected from LaFreniere, but she was fine. Olivia MacKinnon looked good as one of the first-movement demisoloists. Phelan and Knight were kind of bland, but I just loved watching the patterns form and re-form around the stage. Beautiful. In the third movement Baily Jones looked good, but KJ Takahashi looked really, really good. He presents himself so well - with grandeur and confidence. Even his hair looks perfectly in place, whereas some of the other men let their hair get sloppy. Takahashi takes care to make a very good impression. Finally, Alston Macgill looked good in the 4th movement and Troy Schumacher is back after what seems like a long absence. (Speaking of which, that made me wonder, is Laracey on the casting sheets so far?) I would like to see the Kikta/Takahashi Bourree Fantasque, so I may see this program again. Maybe.

Yes, it’s a short Lyft ride. I also wanted to mention that there are some very inexpensive bus options (megabus, Peter Pan/greyhound) for travel between NY and Philly. It tends to take a little longer than the train and is prone to getting caught up in traffic. But if you leave yourself ample time to account for that, you can save a bundle over Amtrak.

I totally agree, and also agree with the comments above about Philadelphia Ballet. I don't have a subscription (yet), but I definitely plan on seeing a couple of programs next year. It is an easy trip from NY, Philly is a very fun place to be for the arts lover, and when I saw the company last month they looked great.

I see casting for the first two weeks has been updated yesterday. LaFreniere is out for the first two weeks. That is very disappointing, as I thought the first movement of Symphony in C suited her particularly well. On the positive side, the replacements are Nadon in DAAG and Maxwell in the first movement of Brahms-Schoenberg. No complaints there! Week 3 casting is up as well. Lots of debuts. It's great to see so many opportunities for Alston Macgill, and also that David Gabriel is expected back. Unfortunately, the programming is so dull that I may miss this entire week.

Thanks @nanushka, I should have studied the casting list more closely. I see Woodward is replaced in Symphony in C both weeks, but is still doing Dances at a Gathering.

Agree, I look forward to seeing Alston Macgill blaze ahead. On the down side, it's discouraging to see both Indiana Woodward and David Gabriel replaced for the opening two weeks. Hope both of them recover quickly!

Oh my goodness, thanks @volcanohunter! I look forward to this program. They never seem to do Sylvia pdd, do they? I wonder why not!

I was just taking another look at next year's programming. Someone tell me I'm not going crazy. Wasn't there a "Tallchief Centennial" program on for next Winter? I don't see it there now.

If Stars & Stripes is involved, Veyette is going out with a bang. I'm trying to picture what he will do in the 3rd movement of Glass Pieces, though. I guess he will be the first guy who runs out leading the rest.

That is interesting. Audiences have probably changed too. Back in 1926, maybe a lot of the audience didn't have a regular job to get to the next morning, or wasn't trying to get home to New Jersey or an outer borough.

... while I'm on the topic of complaints, I wish they would be more consistent about no late seating. In recent years they've really loosened up on people entering after the music starts. It almost seems like they made a policy decision that seating is allowable during the overture, up until the curtain goes up. But this past winter it was even worse, I was at several shows where people were coming in, at the beginning and after intermisisons, while dancing had already started. So disruptive.

I didn't have an issue with 8:00 curtain on Friday and Saturday (I definitely prefer the earlier time on weeknights), but I am glad to hear about fewer intermissions. I hope they also cut all speeches. I also wish they would make the running time more readily available. Sure I can ask the usher when I get there, but they could also put on the website. Lots of people have to follow a train or bus schedule to get home, and it would help to be able to plan more in advance.

Taking a look at the overall upcoming year, while I have some complaints there is also a lot to be happy about. The Fall season is perhaps the least interesting of the three seasons, but at least it starts off with a Balanchine bang with Mozartiana, and Coppelia should be interesting as well. The Winter season has some all-Balanchine and all-Stravinsky programs, and I love the idea of the Tallchief Centennial! It will be an honor to be cast in those roles (Scotch Symphony, Firebird, Sylvia pdd). And Divertimento No. 15, fab, fab fab!!! I will probably be skipping out on Carnival of the Animals again, which is annoying. Then for Spring, another great-looking all-Balanchine program with both Ballo della Regina and Chaconne! Followed by another all-Balanchine program of Divertimento and Vienna Waltzes... wow!! Hope I can hold out till then, that's over a year away. Concluding with another run of A Midsummer Night's Dream, I can never get enough of this. So some blah in there, but also a lot to look forward to.

Perusing the Fall schedule, I am very glad to see Mozartiana and Tchaikovsky PC#2 returning. They will need at least one new principal for Mozartiana. Please -- not Unity. I could see Woodward doing this, but would also love to see Nadon and/or Kikta.

Chaconne is listed for spring... so a year from now. That seems really long to wait! I too am surprised at no more retirements listed. Maybe they will happen as the year progresses.