cobweb

Yes. What are they thinking? It’s a great ballet, crowd pleaser, no- brainer if you’re a tourist or bringing non-balletomane guests, showcase for multiple dancers, and I love the kids. They would also do well to position it as a kind of seasonal pendant to Nutcracker, and encourage yearly viewings.

Same. I am sorry to miss Laracey and Phelan, and of course especially Ramasar. But I just could not spend on a ticket when I only wanted to see one piece on the program.

Hey BalanchineFan, was this last night's performance? I was at today's matinee and the casting was slightly different.

Isabella LaFreniere looked great in Firebird - everything one could hope for in a Firebird. I foresee a great career unfolding in front of her, and I want to be there every step of the way! Overall I find Firebird kind of slow and dull, with lots of costumes and posturing. Unexpectedly I found myself feeling very moved by the lovely Miriam Miller and her Prince, Amar Ramasar. Also, the moment when the Firebird points Ivan back to his bride, and their bow to her, actually brought tears to my eyes. There is lots of opportunity and growth in the company right now. For the young dancer that is prepared and ready to jump at anything (and doesn't get COVID), there is bound to be opportunities. The new batch of soloists are doing GREAT.

Intermission report from the matinee. Scherzo Fantastique was kind of a frenetic snooze if that’s possible. I did appreciate seeing Huxley for the first time this season. My admiration for this dancer’s beauty knows no bounds. Miriam Miller also looked great with impossibly long lines despite wearing horizontal stripes. In the more background roles, Alexa Maxwell and Davide Riccardo stood out. In Symphony in 3 Movements, Laracey and Aaron Sanz did well in the pdd. Emma con Enck was a standout. This young dancer has presence and confidence in spades. Her whole manner announces “I’m ready!! Give me more!!” And of course the girls in white leos and bouncing ponytails were beautiful. I would enjoy seeing this again if the overall program were more interesting. I will probably skip the program with Rubies, as it too does not have enough to interest. Put von Enck or Maxwell in Rubies, though, and I’d be there. On to Firebird and LaFreniere.

If we're talking about the same person, I have to agree with JuliaJ here. I'd add that she is also not dancing very well, which is more problematic.

Thank you for this remembrance BalanchineFan. After I wrote my comment I kept thinking I should have included ADW on the list of partners I’m relieved to see walk on. He’s still at the sweet spot of buoyant legs and great partnering. As a non dancer I probably would not notice a moment like this but I’m glad to hear it pointed out.

Totally agree with vipa and pherank. When it comes to the big ballerina roles and dancers like Mearns, Kowroski, or Reichlen are out there, I’m relieved to see Jared Angle, Tyler Angle, or Andrew Veyette walk on, no matter if they’re a little thick around the middle.

Chan, Furlan, or Joseph Gordon.

I was wondering about this from the article: "She asked for three years of severance pay, a release from her contract so she could dance elsewhere, and a solo curtain call at her final performance." It's not clear whether she got what she asked for here. (Has she in fact danced elsewhere?) Later in the article it said she was now demanding $200K "in addition to the typical exit pay she had already received." It says that NYCB was NOT giving her this $200K, but that leaves unclear whether she got the earlier request for three years of severance pay. Surely three years' pay is not "the typical exit pay." Also unclear is whether there is a current lawsuit. The article kind of reads like there is, but the only thing I can find is the demand from her lawyer for $200K for the distress caused by being removed from the opening-night cast. I guess that means an implicit threat of a lawsuit?

LaFreniere gets all 4 Firebirds, good for her. If anyone sees her tonight, please report. For MND casting, the Phelan-Huxley-Ball program looks like a no-brainer. I'm surprised and sorry they won't be doing MND for the Spring 2023 season. I kind of look forward to as the inevitable springtime pendant to Nutcracker. Hoping to see other debuts for the final week of casting. Nadon as Titania? Surely there will be a new Oberon as well.

Abi was always so delightfully charming onstage that it's surprising to read she's been so unhappy. I never would have guessed it. Also I never thought of her as being heavy or overweight, so I don't know if that's what Ratmansky meant (although I agree his comment could be read that way). But as a general issue, I don't think weight is irrelevant in ballet. In some recent performances I saw, a couple of the dancers had put on more weight than I'm used to seeing on dancers. For the one that's a woman, I found myself feeling apprehensive on behalf of the men who were partnering her. I've never been a dancer so I don't know, but it does seem like a woman's weight is bound to be a factor in partnering.

Whoever sees any (official, of course!) casting updates go up, please post!

Gotta agree with that!

And Ashley Bouder is out for unknown reasons for an extended period. I hope they promote Gerrity, and maybe even one already from the new group of soloists. MHO, Emily Kikta is the most ready from the new group - she has reliably been performing solo roles for almost her entire time in the corps, like 10 years I think. She has the experience and reliability, and is ready for more!

One more viewing of the Divertimento-Faun-Brillante-4Ts program, yesterday's evening performance. Like vipa said about the matinee, it was a total joy. For Divertimento, a few moments, perhaps idiosyncratic to me, stand out - Ashley Laracey's arrival onstage to deliver the third variation, her walk in on demi-pointe and the astounding loveliness of the opening and carriage of her arms. And in the Menuet, which I'm loving, there's a moment when Christina Clark and Malorie Lundgren side by side suddenly grand jete, in such beautiful time and unison that it's taken me by surprise and left me breathless in the three performances of this program I've seen. Gilbert Bolden is a big guy. But I agree with others that he made a very good impression in Sanguinic. I liked the cleanness and bigness of his dancing. Choleric was Megan LeCrone. I love her, but after seeing Emily Kikta do Choleric, I just want to see her again. I think the turnover of talent is doing wonders for the company. It is exciting to see debuts every night, and the dancers are rising to the occasion.

A few more random thoughts about last night's performance (Divertimento-Afternoon of a Faun-Allegro Brillante-4Ts). I am enjoying Miriam MIller a lot this season; she was a lovely, long line blowing along in the breeze in the corps of Allegro Brillante, then a fierce 3rd theme of 4Ts. I miss the elegance of Andrew Scordato as one of the soloist men in Divertimento; I think he did it last time it was revived. I haven't seen him dancing yet this season. Divertimento - Peter Walker, Aaron Sanz, and Harrison Coll made debuts as the lead men. Walker looked great; I was surprised by his promotion to principal but now I get it. He looks grand and holds the stage; I just wish he could open up his demeanor and appear a little warmer and more engaged with the audience. Harrison Coll and Sebastian Villarini-Velez abound in warmth and good humor, although I wish Villarini-Velez could have a little more clarity in his line (also an issue in Melancholic). Coll should be stepping up to principal soon, IMHO. The Divertimento ladies were Adams, Hod, Laracey, Kikta, and Woodward. Ashley Laracey is absolutely lovely - words fail me. The elegance of her entire upper body, especially the line of her neck and chin, and the articulation of her wrists and fingers, is just beyond. I could spend the whole performance just following her wrists. Kikta and Woodward both were fantastic also. Please, let's see this piece more often. Finally, among the four tall ladies of Phlegmatic, I noticed what must be the tallest, thinnest, most angular girl in the entire company. Studying the program, I believe it is apprentice Ava Sautter. She has the tallness lankiness of Christina Clark and the angularity and fierce facial expression of Megan LeCrone. It's quite a combination. I hope to see more of her.

Sara Mearns was out of Allegro Brillante last night, replaced by Tiler Peck, while Indiana Woodward replaced Peck in Divertimento. Lovely dancing all around, and IMHO Peck looked more secure and relaxed with Tyler Angle than she does with Roman Mejia, no doubt from years of dancing together. Hope Sara is okay.

I agree with a lot of abatt's comments about last night's performance. Divertimento No. 15 is one of my favorite ballets. I don't understand why they don't do this more often, season after season like Serenade or Symphony in C. It is a great vehicle for several soloist and principal dancers, with both ensemble work and solo variations, plus a great showcase for eight corps ladies. The endless formations, changing and dissolving and forming from one beautiful shape into another - just fascinating. I found the Andante so moving I teared up. Indiana Woodward looked great in the killer allegro role, like abatt says, and I also though Unity Phelan in the third variation was stunning. In Four Temperaments, I too missed Anthony Huxley and his beautifully articulated shapes. Amar Ramasar looked great in Phlegmatic. Will miss him!! Emily Kikta was a blistering Choleric, not sure I've ever seen it so intense. Wow. And Alexa Maxwell looked stellar in the third theme. More of her please.

This looks very interesting, I didn't know it was there. Will have to check it out. Also, thanks to @abatt for suggesting Sapphire Indian restaurant. I just had dinner there with a friend. Delicious Indian food (we had the Achari Tikka, which was amazing, and the Aloo Gobi Muttar, also excellent) in an elegant, blissfully quiet and peaceful setting. Attentive service, and no problem walking in at 5:30 and getting a table. Highly recommend! Now, on to the performance.

If it were Maxwell in Rubies, I would be there come hell or high water. With Hyltin leaving, they have room for another petite promotion, and I vote for Maxwell.

Week 4 casting is up. Many interesting debuts. I look forward to Apollo with debuts by Ashley Laracey and Sara Adams. Erica Pereira in Rubies, hmmmm. We shall see.

Thanks to all for the restaurant suggestions! I think we’re going with Sapphire.

I know this comes up from time to time, but can anyone recommend a reasonably priced restaurant, close to the theatre, for a sit-down dinner before the show on a weeknight? I could go with Le Pain Quotidien, but was wondering about other options.

Still no week 3 casting posted. Guess we’ll have to get through the weekend without knowing who will be cast as Firebird. I hope LaFreniere finally gets her debut, and Nadon is a no-brainer too.