Slant

Wait till you see what they will charge in the fall for Sir Paul and Peter's collaboration.

I was underwhelmed by Chase's performance in Apollo on Thursday night. True, his technique was fine, but that was all I really saw. It came off very thin, not much weight to it. There was no connection with his muses, no depth or maturity to the role. In other words, a nice corps member performance. For a role like that, I would rather see more inspiration - not perspiration. The boy's a charmer with the audience, especially the females, in almost a teen idol way. Justin Bieber in tights we could do without. The role of Apollo deserves better. Had hoped to see Robbie Fairchild, because there I could expect something magical to happen. Hope Robbie is recovering well, and I see he is slated to return later this month by way of the casting notice.

Would love to know who was the lone dissenting vote.

Looks like the show will goon. Dancers have reached agreement on new contract. According to Devin Alberda, NYCB corps member and on of their AGMA reps. Yeay!

I would not be surprised if the dancers do some sort of job action the night of the gala.

It's called being a professional. It's not like these responsibilities just cropped up on him. It seems like an early exit to New Zealand and his heart and soul is not livmg up to his professional commitments at ABT. I emphasize the word "professional." he'll, Roberto Bolle comes back to do Giselle and Lady of the Camellias. Bravo to Roberto for keeping his ties active.

I am totally in ksk04's corner on this. Can't you plan ahead, see this coming. Seems like either poor communication and coordination, or an artist just blowing off a constituency that has supported him for so many, many years. As the old saying says - "Don't let the door hit you in ass on your way out, Ethan!" Very ungracious exit from ABT.

I think they are pushing Chase Finaly way too much. I think rushing him along. Okay, he's a fresh face, but so what! I don't think he has the polish or maturity yet to take all these lead roles. And where is Joaquin de Luz? He's not getting roles. I've been getting a bad vibe about casting at NYCB since the winter season.

Casting is up for City ballet's tour at the Kennedy Center in April. http://www.nycballet.com/nycb/content/casting.aspx?id=13926 Interesting that Joaquin de Luz is not dancing at all. I think he is great! Robbie Fairchild as Apollo....hmmmmm.

I hope this fairs better than the Stroman premiere of this winter. Too many "gimmicks." C'mon, Peter. Give a debut this coming fall or winter to Justin Peck and his choreography. He shows great promise.

Reviewers comments about the dull, lackluster nature of Jared Angle's performance is spot on. Faycal's tempo issues are a concern. Swan Lake is a score that requires great restraint by the conductor. He must control what can quickly become a runaway train. Like a conductor trying to catch lightning in a bottle. Trust me, I have been there. As for Peter's choreography, need we say more? Glad I am seeing Swan Lake at ABT this coming MET season.

Joaquin delivered a powerful performance in The Prodigal Son last night! The commitment to the role, the energy and athleticism he brought to the dance was electrifying. All I can say is - WOW! I have seen it danced only once before and that was by some guy named Baryshnikov. LOL. I think Joaquin went toe-to-toe with him. A privilege to watch him perform for us last night. Highlight of the year for me so far!

I really enjoyed the Studio Talk that NYC Ballet held on Saturday as part of the Balanchine birthday celebration. The panel wad moderated by Sean Lavery and featured Sterling Hyltin, Jennifer Ringer and Chase Finlay. Wonderful panel full of interesting insights. It was so good to see Sean again and I loved his various anecdotes of working under Mr B during his career. I had the privilege to observe Sean's Advanced Men's Variation class at the School of American Ballet this past Thursday. He is a brilliant teacher who creates such a positive environment.

Nice article profiling NYC Ballet principal, Tiler Peck. Details her professional relationship with choreographer Susan Stroman, who will premiere her new work "Frankie and Johnny...and Rose" on Jan. 28 at NYC Ballet. A Full-Cicle Mentor Moment

Also, the new DVD of NY Export: Opus Jazz performed by members of City Ballet is available for sale at the gift shop at performances.

Went to tonight's (Jan. 19th) performance of NY Export: Opus Jazz at NYC Ballet, as part of the all-Robbins program. really enjoyed the "Statics" movement that featured Georgina Pazcoguin and Justin Peck. Nice to see Justin featured and getting some air time. The piece was a great showcase of some of the best talent from the corps de ballet. Wished the audience had more enthusiastically applauded their effort. First part of the evening Dances at the Gathering. Benjamin Millepied really shined, along with Megan Fairchild, Sara Mearns and Jennifer Ringer. Good to see Benjamin dancing.

Sorry for it not being "official." Just reporting what the principal dancer actually told me. Sorry for the violation. Newbie here.

Nice article in the Last Magazine about NYCB corps member Justin Peck and his choreographic activities with NYCI. Check it out at: Justin Peck article in Last Magazine

I understand that on January 10 NYCB will begin posting the casting for the winter season. [unofficial casting info snipped] Anyone else have any insights to share on winter season casting?

I would think that Balanchine would hate the concept of "Greatest Ballerina." America's preoccupation with rankings (sports) and polls (politics) diverts and blurs our judgment and appreciation with what we see and experience everday. Sarah is a wonderful dancer. Simply that. The moment you start ranking dancers is the moment that another comes along to upset the applecart.

Ramantsky's version needs to get out of BAM and find a bigger stage. But it can become a chestnut of a production. I think ABT is committed to BAM for next year or two. And all versions of the Nut were once new and probably bucked the tradition. Alexei's has the potential to become a standard, with a few tweaks and some stability for a venue in Manhattan.

Many of the comments here are apparently benchmarking this version against Balanchine's. While this is understandable, because of the historical indoctrination of NYC audiences to the Balanchine version, I think this embedded bias is unfair to Alexei. My favorite Nutcracker is one performed by the Bolshoi, and I find Alexei's version an intriguing outgrowth of the Bolshoi version I have previously seen. The key to me is the transfiguration of Clara and the Nutcracker into the Princess and Prince in Act One. This is the critical mechanism to the turn of the ballet in the second act. I do not want to see a story about sugar plum fairies as the centerpiece - after all, the piece is not called "The Sugar Plum Fairy." It's The Nutcracker - a fairy tale story of a toy and the developing relationship with Clara. Eveything else is secondary. Kudos, Alexei. I am sure you will be making some tweaks going forward, but thanks for bring us a fresh version that leaves us all thinking, and smiling, in the end.

I must also chime in to say Gillian Murphy and David Hallberg were fantastic last night in their roles as the Princess and Prince in ABT's The Nutcracker. The Act 1 transfiguration scene was mesmerizing - my favorite part. That is why Balanchine's version leaves me feeling a bit empty. The transfiguration scene is so dramatic and moving. Gillian and David received numerous well-deserved ovations. Alexei Ratmansky's new choreography was intriguing. A larger stage than at BAM's Gilman Opera House would do Alexei's work greater justice, as the stage gets quite crowded in Act 1's party scenes and in Act 2's Sugar Plum Palace scenes. The music sounded a bit muffled. Probably because of the acoustics at the Gillman. I really enjoyed this new version. Kudos, Alexei!

Christian Tworyzanski as the Cavalier. That's interesting. I want to see more of Justin Peck in a principal role. Anyone else feel that way? Justin is one of the most "musical" of the corps dancers.

Tiler Peck and Joaquin De Luz were wonderful in tonight's Dec. 4 performance of The Nutcracker. Their pas de deux in Act Two was simply magical! Elegance, grace, tenderness. Tiler's lines were beautiful and Joaquin's partnering was impeccable. Also enjoyed Allen Peiffer's Candy Cane. What a spark plug he is!