cobweb

There is a video on the New York Times "Speaking in Dance" series, showing Mearns rehearsing MacDonald of Sleat. Wearing a halter-top bike-short leo, she looks fabulous.

I believe that Bouder does RCAF/WRENS. The first cast Macdonald of Sleat is Sara Mearns, and then Unity Phelan debuts next week.

This is so horrifying that I would think you were making it up, if a friend hadn’t told me the same thing during intermission last night. OMG I just can’t even! In addition to the flaws you mention, I’d add they each, in their separate ways, have a fundamentally wrong temperament for Valse Fantaisie. Ulbricht and Pereira certainly embody more of the spirit of the piece, but I find Pereira lacking in impact. My eyes kept going to the ladies behind her, especially Kristen Segin and Emma Von Enck, who have more substantive presence. New casting idea for this piece: Emma Von Enck and Roman Mejia. I bet these two would look great together. I was thrilled to see Union Jack again. Mr Cobweb, who had never seen it before, was fascinated. I am on the subway and about to lose my connection. Will report more later.

Casting for the week is updated. Huxley replaced in Raymonda Variations and Symphony in C. However, it looks like Reichlen is back. Also Week 4 casting is up. Olivia MacKinnon debuts in the soloist role in Tchaikovsky Ballet Concerto 2 and also there are debuts in Dances at a Gathering and Everywhere We go.

I have generally found the ushers good about enforcing the rules when a problem is brought to their attention. I have complained to them about texters and talkers, and ushers have intervened - not always effectively, sometimes the people kept texting anyway, but at least the ushers tried and I have the feeling most of them take their job seriously.

Yeah, it really wasn't. If it was an old-fashioned phone ringtone, then it would have been hilarious. But it was some musical number totally out of sync with the, um, "score."

I was very up front orchestra. A phone went off and rang incessantly and took awhile to be turned off during Porte et soupir.

I found the afternoon's performance a mixed bag, sort of an odd mismatched program with nothing that I really loved, aside from some individual performances. Joseph Gordon in Raymonda Variations was radiant and poised as always, but as noted not as polished as he usually is. Also I noticed some awkward partnering moments with Bouder, although to be fair, I was sitting WAY up close and maybe just noticed more than I usually would. Emma von Enck particularly stood out to me among the soloists, with energy, style, and crispness radiating out to the audience. Lydia Wellington has a rich and mature quality that the younger ones lack. Olivia MacKinnon looked overburdened by her variation, and didn't look like she was having a very good time. This is the second time I've seen Variations pour une porte et un soupir, the first time being with Mearns. It is a fascinating and theatrical piece, with two veteran performers, Kowroski and Ulbricht, who gave it their all. I feel sure it could not be done any better. I would enjoy seeing it again, but only if there were other things on the program I wanted to see. DGV. I had seen this once or twice last time it was in the rep, several years back. With the memory of Kowroski and her long limbs being carried out overhead Tyler Angle, the much shorter limbs of Lauren Lovette didn't quite measure up. I don't know. I like the piece, and despite the repetitive bombastic music, I couldn't help but get into it. But still I was left kind of blah. Looking forward to the all-Balanchine program this week. Hello, Union Jack!

Last night's Diamonds pas de deux (and scherzo) was moving and exhilarating. As it began I found myself dissatisfied, wishing I could see Kowroski and Angle again, but Sara Mearns with her extraordinary power and a technique that seems stronger than ever, demolished memories of Tuesday night's performance. In a way she is so forceful it's shocking, except it draws you in so grippingly. I say she demolished memories of Tuesday night, but only temporarily. Kowroski and Angle were far better in their communication, the eye contact really adds something great. Right now we have two great interpreters of this role, and we're so lucky. In Emeralds, Bouder and Stanley were a great improvement on Stafford and Ramasar, but after seeing Unity Phelan in the "walking" role, Megan LeCrone just didn't measure up. Her arms are nowhere near as flud and expressive as Phelan's, and Phelan's facial expressions have more depth. In the pas de trois, I loved Roman Mejia. He just lights up the stage, confident, authoritative, seeming so lively and responsive. I can't wait to see him (one day soon, I hope!) take on the male role in Rubies. In Rubies, I thought Mira Nadon made a good start but has a lot of work to do, in this role and in general. She seemed tentative and uncertain, not bold and definite enough. She doesn't yet seem completely in control of her limbs. Megan Fairchild looked sensational, with authority and control down to the fingertips. Nadon needs to grow in that kind of command. Also the big second position plie was half-baked. She has many great qualities and I look forward to seeing her continue to grow. But right now for the Tall Girl, it's Kikta Kikta Kikta. I love Jewels. It shows Balanchine's incredible range and also his humanity. He presents three completely different worldviews, and makes the case for each of them as the right way to live. Tremendous sympathy for three totally different worlds.

Any reports from tonight on Mira Nadon’s debut in Rubies, or Roman Mejia in Emeralds?

Wow, how totally awful!! He was looking GREAT during the spring season (and that is a beautiful photo he posted). I can't wait to see him back.

Bouder in Rubies, yes. Bouder in WRENS, not so much. Not only does she lack subtlety, last time I saw her she got way ahead of the other girls, or maybe they were behind her, but the whole fun effect was marred.

As I walked onto the Lincoln Center Plaza last night, it suddenly felt like a long, long time since I'd seen any ballet. I was glad to be there, and very glad to see my "old friends," the dancers, not to mention Balanchine. I left the show energized to see a ton of performances! Emeralds - Unity Phelan was magical, somehow all at once pensive, febrile, and otherworldly. The pas de trois was wonderful, with a musical and lovely Sara Adams and an ardent Georgina Pazcoguin. I'd love to see more of these two sometimes-overlooked soloists. Rubies - Emily Kikta again blazed through the Tall Girl role with commitment and ferocity. Kikta Kikta Kikta. Sterling Hyltin was on fire, but I'm having trouble warming up to Andrew Veyette lately. Diamonds - Aside from Emily Kikta, the highlight of the evening for me was the communication and eye contact between Kowroski and Tyler Angle, which adds a whole extra dimension. Tyler Angle's facial expression, eyes, and nobility are second to none. A beautiful performance. As always, it was fun to see the corps too. I enjoyed seeing new apprentice KJ Takahashi as one of the four corpsmen in Rubies. He made a big impression on me in the past two SAB workshops. It also seems like there are long-term injuries, but maybe that's always the case. As noted up-thread, the sparkling Alexa Maxwell has been out for a long, long time, and is missed. Also out for a long time are Olivia Boisson, and still it seems Isabella LaFreniere, and more. I'm just noticing the Sterling Hyltin-Amar Ramasar casting in upcoming Symphony in C, second movement. Hmmmmmm to that. Here's where I really miss Ashley Laracey. This should be her opportunity. And as to Unity Phelan upcoming debut in MacDonald of Sleat, she seems too flimsy for this role, I'd rather see someone with a more grounded and dynamic presence, like Emilie Gerrity or Georgina Pazcoguin. However, I do love Phelan, so hoping for the best.

Woodward could have had an injury that kept her out for a few weeks. I wouldn’t assume they didn’t cast her for no reason. Good to see new casting in the Costermonger pdd, I can envision Lovette and Ulbricht being really charming. Better than seeing Fairchild and Veyette when half the audience knows the back story.

Casting is updated for the first week. Reichlen is out of Diamonds and DGV, replaced by Mearns in both.

I got a flyer in the mail and I was wondering about this. Has anyone seen it?

.... and Week 1 casting is updated. Harrison Ball is indeed out. The casting shuffling is a little confusing, but it looks like a debut for Roman Mejia in Emeralds was added.

Yeah, I'm not seeing week 2 either. Waiting!!

I am looking ahead a week or so to Union Jack. I swear I can already hear that rolling drumbeat, pulling me in and holding me rapt in my seat. Let's hash out ideas about the casting. As I recall, last time MacDonald of Sleat was led by Mearns and Lowery. Someone new will be needed, but who has the requisite force? I'm not coming up with an obvious answer here. Emily Kikta or Emilie Gerrity? Then there's the WRENS. I believe Kowroski and Reichlen have both done it, but maybe someone else also that I'm not remembering? Again, both Kikta and Gerrity come to mind, also Unity Phelan. (Please no Megan LeCrone leading the WRENS!) Would love to hear others' ideas.

Mejia is the obvious choice here. When are they going to promote him?? Also maybe Sebastian Villarini-Velez?

I am glad to see Mira Nadon getting a big opportunity in Rubies, and also I can't wait to see Emily Kikta in this role again. Unfortunately, Isabella LaFreniere must be injured if she is not dancing it. I also look forward to seeing new soloist Jovani Furlan.

As an audience member, I'd much rather see Abrera, Lane, Brandt, Trenary, or Shevchenko as Giselle, rather than Murphy. This has nothing to do with how strong Murphy returns from maternity leave or any strategy for developing the company for the future, just which dancers I feel more interested in seeing. I hate to say it, but I feel the same way about Murphy's Swan Lake. At a certain point, which honestly was several years ago now, I felt I had seen her in that role enough times, and didn't need to see it any longer (unless I heard reports she had significantly changed or deepened her approach to the role). I'd rather see a fresh interpretation by a, not necessarily younger dancer, but a different one.

Thanks for the heads' up! I"m someone who does not follow the dancers on instagram, so I would have missed this. She looks great... and it's good to see Irina and Max too! I'd love to see both her and Trenary do Giselle (unlikely that both would get it, but I'd be glad to see either or both). After seeing Sarah Lamb at the Joyce over the past week and pondering her career trajectory, I can't help but wonder if Brandt could be wooed elsewhere. I'd hate for ABT to lose these gifted dancers, the way they lost Kajiya, Messmer, Riccetto, and I'm probably leaving someone out. The principal ranks are pretty full right now, but I would much rather see Brandt and Trenary than some of the current principals.

Thanks for the comments on Program D, Royal Blue. Same! I would not look forward to seeing any of these pieces again. The dancers, however, definitely yes. After seeing programs C and D, I especially wish I could see more of Sarah Lamb. Robbie Fairchild looked great, but it just made me sad we're not seeing him at NYCB any longer. I also much enjoyed the music of Dan Gillespie Sells, who is new to me.

It was a solo.