cobweb

Agree also about Mearns in the "faded swan" section of Carnival of the Animals. As soon as she walks onstage, you can tell she's special. Her presence is so compelling, and the smallest gestures speak volumes about the character's inner world.

I would love to hear reports from tonight's performance. Woodward and Huxley are debuting in Tchaikovsky pas de deux, which seems like an A+ pairing. Also, how are Joseph Gordon and Megan Fairchild in Stars & Stripes? Last night these two consistently stellar performers gave a low-energy, sub-par performance. I'm betting they bounce back tonight.

A quick note on the matinee. Stars & Stripes was way better than it was last night. Sara Adams was a huge improvement over Erica Pereira (although I'd still love to see someone like Alston Macgill lead this campaign), and Emily Kikta brought her towering domination. It was fun to see her on pointe, standing a whole head taller than Daniel Ulbricht! And Ulbricht was amazing. Dancing at what looks like a new peak. Landings so clean it has to be seen to be believed. Mira Nadon and Roman Mejia were wonderful as Liberty Bell and El Capitan. Nadon is beautiful in that teal-colored bodice with the yellow tutu, gold trim and tassels, and little feather. She danced with spirit and confidence, and leaned into the goofy aspects of the role. Fun all around. Sebastian Villarini-Velez and Erica Pereira delivered an enjoyable, if not particularly outstanding, Tarantella. He went heavy on the personality and charm, and she had more energy than usual. Not great, but not bad. After reading the comments of the respected @deanofdance about Unity Phelan in last night's Tchaikovsky pas de deux, I went in trying to see if I could find more to value in her performance. In the adagio section she looks beautiful. In the coda, however, I find her lacking in attack. She seems to be just keeping up with the music, and not on top of it at all, so that rather than shape any phrasing, everything is flat as she plows along. I don't find this a suitable role for her talents. I left before Carnival of the Animals.

Tonight was the first performance of the Stars & Stripes-Tarantella-Tchaikovsky pas de deux-Carnival of the Animals program. A mixed bag. The highlight by far was the sizzling Tarantella with Emma Von Enck and Daniel Ulbricht. Both of these dancers blazed with personality and technical wizardry. Ulbricht knows how to amaze and delight the audience and Von Enck is a charmer. A total win. Tchaikovsky pas de deux, not so much. It was one of Roman Mejia's sloppier nights, strong on elevation and such, but very loose on form or elegant classicism. And Unity Phelan is all wrong for this role. She simply lacks the attack, speed, and musical precision for it. Moving on to Stars & Stripes, I love this ballet. Full of humor and fun, it also shows Balanchine's genius for moving groups around the stage, not to mention creating a large-scale piece with variety, interest, and overall coherence. However, this was not the sharpest performance I've ever seen. Erica Pereira should not be leading the first campaign, she looks tired and wan compared to the vigorous young ladies backing her up. (I kept thinking, put Olivia Bell or Alston Macgill up there in front!!) Ashley Hod (replacing Olivia MacKinnon in the second campaign) was much stronger, but didn't have either the wit or towering domination that I'm used to seeing from Emily Kikta in this role. I have a feeling MacKinnon would have had a lighter touch. The men's campaign is my favorite section, and Takahashi looked good, but some of the guys backing him up did not have the stamina required and were failing to make it around their double tours at the end. In the pas de deux, Megan Fairchild and Joseph Gordon delivered a more wan performance than I would have expected, for sure. I hope they can shape up this entire piece for the remaining performances! I had never seen Carnival of the Animals and wasn't sure I would like it. My partner, who has very fond memories of the music from childhood, loved it. I found it engaging to see once, but that's about it. Not enough dancing for me. I look forward to the matinee. Nadon and Mejia in Stars & Stripes... that should be interesting!!

Thanks for that detailed and fascinating chart, @pirouette. It's depressing to see Emily Kikta so far down those lists!! Emma Von Enck is at or near the top of all three lists, and I think we all agree her promotion is a no-brainer. Alexa Maxwell is also near the top of all three categories, as well she should be, so while I don't know if they would promote two short-ish women at the same time, it looks like that is coming too. David Gabriel and Alec Knight to soloist also seem likely, maybe they would give Gabriel a little more time though.

Totally agree about Emma Von Enck and David Gabriel in Ballo della Regina last night. Could not be more joyful and delightful. She radiates and sparkles out to the rafters. He looked amazing, very elegant, technically strong, and confident. Great to see!! Mary Thomas MacKinnon made a great impression as one of the soloists, very impactful and strong presence. For other women in the principal role, I'd love to see Alexa Maxwell and maybe Olivia MacKinnon (assuming she can bring her best, buoyant self). This was my first time seeing In a Landscape, and I hope it will be my last. For me, this was major dullsville. Alec Knight continues to have a very good season, and I'm sure Afanasenkov was fine (I've liked her a lot in other roles), but my attention drifted off. I don't love Hallelujah Junction either, but at least it has a lot of very dynamic dancing. Great vehicle for a stellar KJ Takahashi, and the soloist couples all looked strong, including, once again, Mary Thomas MacKinnon. Like @matilda, I probably don't need to see The Concert very often anytime soon. But this was a great opportunity for Alexa Maxwell. Indeed, why have we not seen her acting chops before?? She was just great, vivid, dramatic, and humorous. I see her in some of the Lauren Lovette rep. I recall when Lovette did the Costermonger pas de deux, bringing her goofy humor and breathing new life into this hackneyed section. I could see Maxwell doing the same. (Of course, I always love an excuse to bring back Union Jack!) David Gabriel subbed for Spartak Hoxha as the "yellow sweater" guy. After his very elegant and confident turn in Ballo della Regina, it was surprising and fun to see him as a super-nerdy guy, but he seemed to relish the change.

Very helpful comments, thanks @Maromeo and @California! I welcome any additional tips from others.

My partner and I are contemplating making the pilgrimage to Vail International Festival of Dance this summer... inspired by others' trips and glowing reports. But as I consider it, I have some questions, that I wonder if others who have been there can weigh in on. 1. Altitude. Neither my partner nor I has any experience at elevations like this. How likely is it that we will get there for an expensive vacation and find ourselves headachey and too sick to go out for days? 2. Lodgings. We are looking at a short-term rental. Besides Vail itself, what towns are nearby and close enough for a quick drive to the theatre? Is there anything in particular, for this event, that I should be looking for in an airbnb? 3. Tickets. I see they offer the all-lawn pass. Is it worth upgrading for some performances, such as the International Evenings of Dance? What is the view like from the lawn, especially when the performance starts when it's still light, before sundown? 4. Getting there. I hear the drive from Denver is both long and congested. How should I weigh the extra expense of making a flight connection and arriving at the smaller airport close to Vail (Eagle County)? 5. Anything else? Thanks all!

I was also at yesterday's matinee (Opus 19 /The Dreamer-Solitude-Symphony in 3). I found Solitude extremely moving and the dancers clearly love it, it was a very heartfelt performance. I am not sure it's a masterpiece, only time will tell, but it is obviously the work of a sophisticated choreographer who has ideas and knows how to put them into motion. It is great to see how much attention this piece is getting, like seeing Ratmansky interviewed by Christiane Amanpour! I enjoyed Alexa Maxwell in Opus 19 /The Dreamer. She has a very compelling, dramatic presence and conveys intense commitment to what she is doing. Anthony Huxley was beautiful, but inscrutable (arguably, that's what the role is supposed to be? not sure). I don't mind seeing this a few more times. But Mr. cobweb, a retired musician, felt that Robbins badly misunderstood the music and that the choreography was trite. It was fun to see Symphony in 3 Movements, seems like it's been quite awhile since I saw this. Both David Gabriel and Jules Mabie looked good in their big new roles, but Gabriel especially looked confident as could be. I can't wait to see him in Ballo della Regina!

My thought exactly, vipa!

I wish we could see Maxwell lead the Stars & Stripes regiment with the baton. But the casting's out already so that ship has sailed.

I see it's a new cast for Tiler Peck's new piece tonight, or new principals anyway. Would love to hear reports on Miriam Miller and Gilbert Bolden. I don't know if I've ever seen them together, but I imagine that would be a dynamite duo. Reports please! I salute you, meunier fan!!

Yes, and I think she may have been an apprentice at the time! I would love to see her do that role again.

I wonder, are Knight and Mabie tall enough to partner Kikta and Miller? I assume that Gilbert Bolden is. It’s a real shame that the very tall Aaron Sanz has been out so much.

I’m also baffled about the Kikta underuse. It’s a loss to the audience. As for soloist retirements, Pereira should head up that list. Also maybe Sara Adams? Not sure what’s up with Brittany Pollack but she hasn’t danced much for a few years now. I don’t think LeCrone has been dancing this season but if she’s in good form, there are still some roles she covers well (Dark Angel for instance) so she may still have value to the company.

Yes, I was only considering the women. I certainly agree that Jules Mabie looked wonderful in 4T's, and David Gabriel generally although I haven't seen him in anything featured this season. As to what roles additional for the women, not sure about that, but agree with your idea about a variety of Balanchine and Robbins leading roles.

Thinking about who of the women might be promoted to soloist, to me right now there are several strong contenders, but maybe none yet a slam-dunk (it's not like the situation when Maxwell and Kikta languished forever in the corps). India Bradley -- is getting lots of opportunities and seems to be favored by management so I wouldn't be surprised if she's promoted, but I don't see it yet. While her flexibility and lanky physique are beautiful, I find it sometimes makes her seem insubstantial. Seeing her in the same role (one of Melancholic's two sidekicks) recently as Mary Thomas MacKinnon and Alston Macgill, I found them more fierce and impactful, not to mention having better form, than Bradley. I feel that Bradley's physique and strengths are more suited to roles requiring delicacy, such as when she did the pas de trois in Emeralds, a role I liked her in. But her elegance and artistry need work. Dominika Afanasenkov -- another obvious candidate, who has done very well in all the opportunities given to her, but maybe could be tested in a broader range of roles before promotion. Ava Sautter -- similar situation to Afanasenkov, she blew "In a Landscape" out of the park and seems to have huge potential, but needs more testing in big roles. Mary Thomas MacKinnon -- someone I've found very interesting and compelling, again not quite sure she's ready. Mind you, no complaints from me if any of these ladies gets the nod! Alston Macgill -- great to see her looking so strong. She got big (huge) opportunities right when she joined the company and did very well. I don't recall what role it was, but I remember thinking at one point that she held the stage against a cast of dancers far more experienced, august, not to mention much taller, than she was! If she keeps looking as good as she does now, she also is an obvious candidate for soloist, and a good size to pair with Takahashi and the apparently up-and-coming David Gabriel. That's my assessment, did I leave anyone out?

Just hearing that frothy music makes me wish I could see this again and again! I only wish it was on the program with some pieces I wanted more to see. I will probably only get to the show with Von Enck, but hopefully they will keep this in rotation for next season.

What a lovely performance of the Four Temperaments-Liebeslieder Walzer program. As with last night, this week's casts make a whole different impression from last week's casting of the same program. Last night Jules Mabie captivated me as Melancholic, and I was wishing to see him again. As soon as Anthony Huxley walked onto the stage, that feeling vanished. Instead I had the experience I've often had -- while I might love someone in a role, when I see Huxley do the same role it's as if the scales fell from my eyes, or some objet d'art was dusted and is now sparkling -- when Huxley dances it is so clear and pristine that everyone else looks dull and smudged. Alston Macgill again danced with ferocity and gusto, you go girl!! Davide Riccardo gave an even more riveting Phlegmatic than he did last night. He was going full force, hitting everything with authority and clarity. As he's made his way into bigger roles I've sometimes found him lacking in confidence or impact, but not so here. Great to see. Mira Nadon's Choleric again like a bolt of lightning. Overall a thrilling Four Temperaments. Liebeslieder Walzer. I hope they bring this back soon (in the fall would be great!), but next time better singers please. To go through the cast of women: best prepared, most thought-through and richly detailed performance: Indiana Woodward. She is a gem. She does have a significant height differential with Preston Chamblee, but despite that it totally worked for me, I found them wonderful together. Most naturally suited to this ballet: Ashley Laracey. The tilt of her chin, flutter of her eyelashes, and flick of her wrist radiate throughout the theater. She and Andrew Veyette have no doubt known each other since they were teenagers, and they give a sense of old colleagues and veterans dancing roles that show each at their very very best: she in poetry and delicacy, he in protective partnering. Most dynamic and dramatic presence: Sara Mearns, no doubt!! I've already commented on the handsomeness that she and Chun Wai Chan have together, all I can say is tonight was another transporting experience, with Sara's soaring arabesque and piques like a hurricane blowing through the theater. Finally we come to Isabella LaFreniere. With her innate grandeur, incredible smile and physique, and touching vulnerability, my heart is always touched by her. Despite some very dubious performances (as mentioned by @meunier fanearlier today), I just love her. I have many criticisms, but I won't even go into that right now. All I can say is I'm a fan, waiting for her to pull it totally together. Tyler Angle -- I'm getting used to the bald head, and very glad to see his protective guidance with Isabella. To conclude: this was a great program of Balanchine at his very, very, very best!!

I very much enjoyed last night's performance of the Four Temperaments-Liebeslieder Walzer program, finding both casts a big improvement over last week's performances of this program. In 4T's, both Jules Mabie as Melancholic, and Davide Riccardo as Phlegmatic, made fabulous debuts. As someone said up-thread about Ava Sautter (was it you, @deanofdance?), I knew Mabie was looking good, but I didn't know he was THAT ready. He was just beautiful, fully inhabiting the role with clear shapes, elegance, authority, and a yearning emotional warmth. It is wonderful to see a young person grow up enough to get a big chance and to deliver something beautiful. Of all the night's performances, this is the one that most lingered in my mind! Davide Riccardo is someone who's gotten a lot more attention, so it wasn't a surprise to see him attack Phlegmatic with clarity and purpose. Mira Nadon was a captivating, thrilling Choleric. Alston Macgill was one of Melancholic's two sidekicks and it was great to see her back in action and looking sharp and fierce. Olivia Bell led the four buzzing ladies of Sanguinic, and she really stands out. She somehow seems to have the movement more in her body in a way that's different from the other three, it seems more organic to her. She also seems mature beyond her years. Overall, a very exciting Four Temperaments. Liebeslieder cast a far better poetic spell than it did last week. Overall a far more engaging cast, with an inner rapport that also radiated out and included the audience. Sara Mearns and Chun Wai Chan are beautiful together, so handsome to look at that it almost hurts the eyes, and they make poetry together. Hard to describe how beautiful they were in that final section where he carries her backwards across the stage, she turns and does an arabesque penchee, then back bend, and he reaches under for her hand. Her piques around the stage have a soaring quality like the wind. Indiana Woodward and Preston Chamblee also were wonderful together, Woodward with so much imagination and care to detail, and Chamblee looking extremely appealing. Ashley Laracey and Andrew Veyette brought far more depth than Fairchild and Danchig-Waring did last week. As usual I have mixed feelings about Isabella LaFreniere, and I'm struggling to understand and articulate it, but I liked her here more than I thought i would.

Also, what about KJ Takahashi? I would think he and Von Enck would be a good fit height-wise.

Great video snippets. Ava Sautter looks bold, confident, and ready for bigger things, while Von Enck's sparkling personality and dancing really radiate out of the screen.

Week 6 casting is up. Emma Emma Emma... Ballo della Regina!

Agree, nysusan! I first noticed Sautter as one of the Tall Ladies of Phlegmatic, back when she was an apprentice. Striking physique, really bringing out the accents of the music, and compelling stage presence. It's great to see her getting bigger opportunities. Same for Asanesenkov, also doing this same role. I'm not sure I'm going to get to see Sautter in this piece, so I appreciate the report!

I too cannot imagine that Unity Phelan is a big ticket seller. I guess we'd have to define what we mean by "big ticket seller," but agree that Tiler Peck seems the most likely candidate. Sara Mearns is surely known within the ballet world as someone who is a must-see, and maybe Taylor Stanley also has a fan base? Other than that, not sure I see anyone who would be a huge draw, especially outside the world of ballet. Obviously management likes Unity and now that she has debuted so so many of the major roles they are probably committed to her working on these for years. Hope we see progress. Definitely agree with @matilda that the problem could be she was given too much to absorb at once.