spinning2night

Is there a trick to finding this? it isn't coming up for me under either of their names (separate or together....) can you share the link? everyone's dying to see it!

I just teared up at the wonderfulness of this suggestion...can we get together and pen a letter to Kevin or something?! While I'm sure he's working to solve the problem...I think he needs some inspiration/suggestions, and what better way then to get it from the people who will be watching that dancers I know what you mean...some are great dancers, but others are star dancers...

Thanks for letting me know! It's great to know that the Met/ABT box office is really prompt and helpful when there are problems. I've had some bad experiences with box offices (ticket delays...lost transactions), and this is my first time dealing with the Met. I normally, print my tickets, but i currently don't have a printer so I had to go with another option this time around.

I'm with you on hiring principals form outside the company -- b/c it immediate solves the problem, but it just seems the timing isn't really right for so many of the names that have been brought up...and a part of me thinks that Kevin McKenzie's directing of the company has been a bit all over the place that it'd be hard to lure another dancer away from their current company. I think it's most interesting to compare ABT to NYCB in that NYCB has no shortage of dancers (at any rank) b/c their school trains and puts out dancers that are "cookie cutter-ed" for the company...where as I'm getting the distinct impression that JKO doesn't really do that...there are a LOT of talented students but not all of them are cut out for ABT so they end up elsewhere. I'm curious to know, which ABT dancer who is NOT in the corps is really truly ABT home-grown? in regards to your opinion about promoting Simkin, I'm on board. He's rarely disappointed, and you can tell he's a hard worker who really love what he does. He's a great dancer and performer, and he's partnered a handful of women in the company so I'm sure he's got his own way of dealing with his size/height issues...the only problem is that promoting Simkin alone doesn't solve the problem of the GIANT hole in the male principal roster. And yes, ABT has lost some very good male dancers over the years b/c of the overcrowding of male stars for the better part of the past decade... So I, like you, hope that Kevin M is working on the problem...although IMO, he should have been working on this problem for the past 5 years...b/c even I saw this day coming. Retirement is inevitable, and problems don't come with immediate solutions

killing some time between commitments right now...quick thoughts. ABT needs to get at least one (if not 2) full time male principala in the next 2 years or so...and arrange for more permanent guest principal relationships (i.e. Bolle, VIshneva, Osipova) based on need...this is based on how I see the male principal roster when you take into account the what the roster will look like in July and the fact that Hallberg is limited by his commitment with Bolshoi and Cornejo by his height and injuries. option A - I can't really chime in too much on this only because I'm not familiar with enough up-and-comers internationally who are in situations that would work with ABT...but here are my thoughts on those already mentioned. First, Polunin - I say, nay...I dont' think he knows what he wants right now, and until he does, no company's going to go near him. Muntagirov is in a favorable position for jumping on board/having ABT "go get him." He's young, talented, and clearly headed toward "in transition." Since he will be dancing with ABT this season, let's cross our fingers that something comes of this -- in the form of a permanent long-term arrangement. While I'm ok with the idea of ABT continuing to pursue "guest principal" to fill roles, I don't like the instability and unpredictability of it, and it's better to fill the spot permanently now than not at all. Matvienko obviously like Muntagirov has the advantage on having a relationship with ABT due to his guest appearances this year...but I would think he's a package deal with Anastasia...not that I'd object. However, is age an issue here too...he's into his 30's is he not? - what's his injury track record? option B - I've seen Phillips and Tamm. I think both of them have the potential to move up through the ranks. Seems that many like Gorak - haven't seen him, so can't really comment, same for Hammoudi. The corps as a whole is really young right now, so immediate promotions are unlikely. In regards to the soloists, not really a fan on Matthews but I think that's more due to his lack of charisma as a performer rather than his abilities as a dancer...if ABT wanted to, he could become the "filler" principal -- you know, the guy who can dance the roles, but you don't expect a WOW from. Daniil, he's a great dancer and performer but his physical limitations work heavily against him (I mentioned in the Angel Corella thread that when I saw Daniil in real-life in the audience at SL in Chicago, he was my size/I could have bumped into him and knocked him over -- and I'm 5'3", 115bs). As for the other soloists, I just don't see them stepping into the principal role. A part of me wants Sascha to be promoted since he has the longest and most established repertoire. I've seen him in numerous performances, both with ABT and as a guest with other groups. He's good -- I have yet to be bothered by his performances, but I wonder if all those years as a soloist has drained his drive a little, which leads to those unsatisfying performances some of you have witnessed. As I was browsing the ABT site though, one of the first thoughts I had after eliminating the retiring/non-permanent dancers was "woah, wait a minute, where are all the men in this company???" ABT's current male roster as a whole is thin not just the principals...(at least in regards to repertoire, which is a likely result of the crowding at the top for the past few years) Another issue I see ABT encountering is that lack of "do it all" male dancers. We've managed to point out the positives and negatives of many of the corps members and soloists, but it doesn't seem that any one of them have the qualities that will allow them to be the "complete package male principal," where they can do both the prince and the bravura well and convincingly (i.e. Carenno, Corella, Stiefel...jeez we REALLY were spoiled). Personally, I'm still not sold on Stearns, but at least he's getting the job done, and it's unlikely ABT will be able to find the next Gomes or Hallberg easily. Glad to know that nysusan and mussel agree with me about Tidwell...he's neither really option A or B but my understanding is that America wouldn't mind seeing more of him and he wouldn't mind having the opportunity to dance in his own country either...I'm not sure the exact circumstances as to why he's all the way in Norway, was there really no space in a US company at the time? but to me it seems quite obvious that he wanted to get back into ballet enough that he auditioned and took a position based on availability. Yes, he burned a bridge when he first left the company, but he's back doing ballet seriously for the past 2 years and it seems we'd welcome prodigal son who finally returned home. Sorry, this was was longer than I intended...

Ahem...you are entirely correct. Angel is only 36 years old and he's not retiring, he simply won't be dancing with ABT anymore. Very sad for us here in NY who love him, but his career will continue and hopefully we will see him here often with Barcelona ballet. Kevin McKenzie needs to have his head examined! you are both very correct. At 36, Angel has yet to show his age as a dancer, yes he might not do all of the roles that he's done in the past, but keeping him around for those handful of performances every year was something I expected we'd have for a few more years. Angel LOVES to dance for the NYC audience, and he's done his part to be available to ABT...of course scheduling was an issue at times, but I hate the idea that he might have been pushed out, when he appeared to be willing to put in a few more years even with his commitment to his own company. We know Kevin could use the extra very experienced male principal for a few more seasons as he works to rebuild the roster.

Did you believe that he would stay or were you just hoping for it? After all the public statements and the history of casting and the new company, I considered him gone, and thought the announcement was just being delayed. frankly a little of both...I know of Angel's frustrations of being pushed out and not casted, but he's also been a more active part of the company than Ethan. Angel made himself available to dance and has for the most part been ready since he does dance with his own company...and he does tour with ABT unlike Stiefel. So while he was on the way out, I just didn't think it'd be this year (especially since the announcement didn't come until today) And while he hasn't been the most consistent the last few years, from what I've gathered/read Angel has still managed some great performances and was definitely "performance ready" (especially last season), which means that he was still putting in the work and was committed to dancing for the company. but of course, that's JMO abatt - you have many valid points here...and while I've never been able to watch Angel live, he's ALWAYS the first male ballet dancer I youtube. personally, I'm a little surprised that Angel was pulled from Corsaire, I mean correct me if I'm wrong here, but isn't Ali like Angel's "role" - the one that pretty much launched him into stardom? (you kind of infer that in your comment as well) Although, with the way SL was selling in comparison, I wouldn't be surprised if the higher ups pushed for the SL farewell to boost tickets sales... In regards to Simkin...yes, his chances got better but he really is TINY (i thought china doll when I saw him in real-life) - passed him in the audience during ABT"s SL run in Chicago in 2010...and he was my size -- I swear I could have knocked him over (note - i'm 5'3", 115lbs...i was wearing 3" heels that night). so *shrug* I'd love to see Daniil rise up in the company, but at this point his physical limitations are obvious and I think he's aware of them too...that's not to say he hasn't worked hard to overcome them. random side note/question - what is M. Beloserkovsky dancing in this year...is it just that one Apollo? Does any one have any more information about his absence? is he dealing with injury and how much time is he actually spending with ABT?

Jayne - I LOVE this idea...would love to see what everyone else comes up with. currently don't have to time to come up with a complete list for either options...though I don't doubt that for "B" while I'm not as familiar with the dancers b/c i only get to see ABT once a year or so, the current cultivation of male dancers seems to be focused on the young corp members. just to throw it out there...can ABT get Danny Tidwell back...please and thank you, he's with the Norwegian National Ballet as a soloist. He's home-grown and a VERY recognize-able face with the younger crowd --> automatic interest.

knew the day would come...granted we were all hoping it wouldn't can't believe Angel AND Ethan are both retiring this season...I was hoping that Angel would stick around for at least another year or two...

From my experience with opera tickets everywhere it seems like most performing arts companies nowadays have a record of your ticket purchase in the computer and I have lost tickets before and they were able to look up and re-print them for me before the performance. I imagine ABT has this ability, so it won't be the end of the world if your tickets don't come in time. At least I don't think. I had a similar thing happened to me last year. The box office was very helpful in this regard. Thanks for you help! It's always good to know that the box office is a "nice" box office

anyone know how soon after processing your order the box office mails out tickets? (currently without a working printer and didn't want to wait until the summer when i'm there to pick them up) I'm doing a bunch of travelling -- lots of short trips -- soon, and I want to make sure I can keep an eye for the tickets I ordered. Any help would be great! (a bit in shock that I'm actually going to NYC this summer and getting a chance to see ABT at the MET!)

Is that completely true, though? Murphy was listed but did she even dance?? Murphy was supposed to dance Myrta in the Sat evening show back when the casting was announced in November...but in past years when ABT toured in Chicago, the whole company was listed... perhaps with the number of non-principals who got leading roles this past week, ABT didn't want to call attention to the principals who weren't there...progress is slow at ABT is slow, but at least maybe they're headed int eh right direction

re: only listing 4 male principals...i think that might mainly be because Stiefel and Corella are pretty much understood to only be principals during the Met season...regarding Max tho, is his history with injury is extensive and he never seems to get over them completely, but as we know, Max and Irina are kind of a package deal...was Irina listed? (I saw them both in SL 2 years ago in Chicago, and I thought Max was great for that performance...but then he got injured again and really hasn't dance for the past year)

thank you so much for the reviews!!! when i was originally planning on returning to Chicago for the weekend a few months ago my friend and I had a length/intense debate on fb about which Saturday casting was more worth seeing. So while in the end, I had to miss the run all together, to hear that neither of you left disappointed is great! (especially, when the there has been so much worry about where ABT goes from here with all the changes in the last few years...and the impending ones too) miliosr - first things first, i really enjoyed hearing that Cory has developed and becoming that principal dancer. While I have yet to see him in a leading role, my impression of him was always that he didn't have the greatest talent but worked really hard and was dependable. It's good to hear that since his promotion, his dancing has become more comfortable and that it seems like he's working less hard (granted, having ALL the principal roles thrown at him in one season was a bit much...) So happy to see that Paloma is still as good as she has been - even with her age - although is ABT ballerina's have shown us, age DOESN'T matter I ADORE Stella and I'm ecstatic to hear that she is finally past her injuries...a truly beautiful and underrated ballerina. It's always nice ot hear about up and coming dancer like Patrick. I think I thinkI saw him in ABT's mixed bill during their last visit to Chicago, and while i don't remeber the specifics, I enjoyed what he brought tot eh stage. Good to hear he's getting a chance to shine! ps - would have either fainted or full out fangirl-ed had your Marcelo moment happened to me....AAHHHHHH! trieste - so jealous that you got to see Osipova/Hallberg/Part cast. All three of them are incredible dancers who are constantly challenging and improving everything that they do...I've seen so many videos, but have yet to see them live (minus Hallberg's Bolshoi Sleeping Beauty - but it's just not the same...), but I can just imagine having my breath taken away. I'm sorry to hear that Sascha Radetsky performance didn't work out...I've seen him in several soloist/guest roles over the years. He's usually very good at what he does, but it does seem like he can have his on and off days (or even moments!) and sometimes isn't the most consistent with his dance style or characterization/acting. But i think the best thing I've read from both of you is how good the corps was. I wonder what has changed over the years...perhaps its that more and more of the dancers are realized that while they may be the "support" in a ballet, ABT isn't just a bunch of stars with background dancers/ballerinas. Crossing my fingers that I get to see Giselle one day soon! alright, i've stalled long enough from my real work. cheers!

please do share! I can't wait to hear about everyone's Giselle experiences... especially Sat evening!

i used to be in the Chicago-land area for college, but have since moved. when ABT announced the Giselle run over a year ago, I was still in the area and had hoped that at this point in time I'd be able to make a return trip to see the ballet. I have yet to see Giselle (EVER! dont' ask me how that happened), but I had discussed going with my friend about going to the Osipova/Hallberg casting (back when Gillian was slated to dance Myrta...talk about DREAM casting), unfortunately, a lot changes in a few months and I won't be able to make it back. My logic for Osipova/Hallberg was that both dancers are approaching/at the height of their careers and for some reason even though they seem to be opposites, the results they've produced as a partnership have been awe-inspiring. The last time they dance Giselle together was when Natalia first started guesting with ABT was the reviews were largely positive. Since then their partnership has continued to develop, and I would personally jump at a chance to see them live. also, as a side note - Drew you should be fine leaving the Roosevelt theatre after the ballet by yourself. I've left shows/concerts as late as 11:30pm before...usually I'm with one of my friends, but we're all only about 5' - 5'2" (100-120 lbs) college girls, and we've never encountered any problems...as long as you leave when the rest of the crowd does, you really won't be walking anywhere entirely by yourself since the theatre is in the close enough to an El (Chicago's train/subway) stop and there will be people headed in those directions. And even if not, you won't be walking for a long time in the dark. But like every city, just be aware of your surroundings!

I have to say that this doesn't come as a surprise as we've been speculating about when this day would come for quite some time. That being said, it's still really sad that's it is actually happening. Ethan will be greatly missed. This was speculated that the final MET performance would be Ethan's farewell on the MET 2012 thread...personally, i was pretty sure this was the case as the casting for Le Corsaire that night all point towards it...Gillian, Stella, Sascha...

I'll take Steven Colbert over Katie Couric any day, thank you! indeed! Furthermore I will add I thought David handled himself really well. You generally have an option with Colbert (I should note, I like Colbert, I don't really enjoy his interview style)--either just be totally silly and role with it, or be flummoxed by it. David went with neither. He joked along to an extent but really stayed on target and got in a lot of the points he wanted to make, I thought he acquitted himself remarkably well. He was relaxed about it enough that he didn't seem like he was just ignoring Colbert or was merely reciting memorized talking points, but he didn't let himself be railroaded. For someone in a profession where speaking is NOT your main calling, I thought it especially impressive. Don't take Colbert seriously guys, he doesn't, and the joke is on those who do. That is how he got off all those HORRIBLY wonderful zingers on Bush at the white house correspondents dinner in 2006--the republicans thought he was actually conservative (OUCH! and WOW!) I agree...Colbert on the show and "on the job" is NOT to be taken seriously...for the most part, any time Colbert ends up in the media, take it with a grain of salt...but as he's shown at his various appearances (i.e. the white house correspondents dinner), he's as smart as a whip...Colbert's success as a satirist is heavily dependent on his ability to make fun of facts and the truth, neither of which he can do UNLESS he's well-educated and prepared to address the topic. I've seen Colbert "serious" (as he was my commencement speaker - yes, I'm a class of 2011 grad from Northwestern) David definitely handled himself well, and he's done a remarkable job in all the interviews he's had in the last few months...he's quite open and candid while being quite serious. It's really refreshing to see/hear David's point-blank and up-front responses to the more serious questions he's gotten. It's nice for once to have people reveal they're true feelings and not feed the "uptight" stereotype of ballet dancers. Kudos for the auction too! I'm a fan of how David has used his success and this opportunity in the best way possible, to get dialogue going about ballet again as well as the need to foster growth in the art as well as in younger dancers.

i have a quick question for those of you who are in the NYC area and get to watch ABT on their "home stage"... some of my friends and I are planning on visiting NYC this summer to catch up with some friends who are currently in the city. we briefly discussed that maybe we'd do a "girls night" with ballet and dinner, but since we wouldn't really be able commit to anything until pretty late (if not the week of). What performance times/days, regardless of the actual program, would get us the bargain (seat and price-wise)? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

i'm going to try to visit friends that weekend and hopefully catch the Sat evening cast. I like the Auditorium theatre, with my financial constraints i think you get better seats in the balcony than you do at the Lyric Opera House. I've seen the Joffrey from the middle right side of the balcony. It wasn't the furthest right but it was pretty far over, and there were no sightline issues. The past two times I've been to the the ABT tours in Chicago, the weekday nights (minus opening night) is not "crowded"

Definitely true. Colbert attended Northwestern where he was a theatre major, where the theatre program is intense and very comprehensive in getting the students involved in all aspects of the arts. Colbert definitely has a love of the arts and much more. otherwise, he would NOT be able to have the success that he has as a satirist. People definitely don't give him enough credit.

spinning2night, what happened? I don't know about that! there were a LOT of injuries last season. see the "ABT male principal problem" thread...ABT was left scrambling to find enough guest artists who could fill roles. So while that was definitely flukey that all of it happened in the same season, it still feels like ABT but all their eggs in a basket by putting Corsaire as the finale for the 2012 season

Maybe, that will be Ethan's ABT farewell performance? if it is Ethan's farewell, couldn't think of a better cast/ballet for it to be Also, does anyone find it a little strange/scary that ABT is ending the MET season with Le Corsaire...not to get ahead of ourselves, but considering what happened last season with the men...(i'm going to refrain from actually finishing that thought)

I'm glad that Kevin is getting a head start on filling the holes in the male principal cast. That being said, I'm disappointed that he's still so set on getting foreign guest stars to fill all the holes...that being said, I kind of understand why he's doing it since the MET season is a really big deal for ABT and the company doesn't want to force anyone who's not quite ready to take on such a big role. Therefore, I'm hoping this means that Kevin and others are working hard to continue to develop male talent in the company to fill the holes, I'm thinking that this might be the case since getting guest stars for the second consecutive season who will just just dance once or twice shows that the company isn't working to get completely permanent relationships b/c the guest stars will just be "temporary" fixes until the next generation/group of male principals from within the company are ready.

i unfortunately will not be able to make it to new york this christmas season to try and catch a show...that being said, Eric Tamm in a leading role is really intriguing me. He's shown promise for a while, I can't wait to hear back on how he's developed and how he does!