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I enjoyed last night's performance in general, especially The Four Seasons. This is a fun piece, accessible and entertaining, with lots of great dancing and opportunities for many. I hope they keep it in regular rotation for awhile. Sara Mearns and Chun Wai Chan looked great in Spring. This is a perfect role for Sara especially, with her large, spacious, expansive dancing, and my did she look glamorous in the swept updo. When she smiled at Chan, I it made him look like the luckiest guy in the world. Summer was Adrian Danchig-Waring and Emilie Gerrity. She was fine, but paled next to my memory from last week seeing Ashley Laracey, who seemed far more organic in the role, not to mention regal, aloof, and sultry. Laracey seemed to have this role in her bones, whereas Gerrity smiled her way through it. In Fall, Cainan Weber had another sensational night, truly sensational. Has to be seen to be believed. I was very disappointed not to see Roman Mejia. Andrew Veyette is a stalwart, but as a ballet practically senior citizen, he should not be having to power his way through this role so often. He looks a little ragged in that very bare costume, but he still dances admirably. And Tiler was amazing. She is a chaine champion, and added some special flourishes to the fouettes, which I lack the technical knowledge to describe, but I don't think I've ever seen before. I enjoyed Fancy Free more this time than last week. Alexa Maxwell and Joseph Gordon, as the purple dress girl and shy sailor, made more of an impression than did Jacqueline Bologna and Harrison Coll. Mary Thomas MacKinnon does well as the red purse girl, strong and unintimidated by the guys. However she doesn't quite project out big enough, and I wonder if there is something she can do to make better use of her eyes. Daniel Ulbricht threw himself into it and was great. I wonder what is up with Roman Mejia. For the past week he appears on the casting sheets, but then is replaced at the last minute. If he is injured, has covid, or a family emergency or whatever, they should announce the casting change in advance so the ticket-buying audience knows what to expect. Disappointing!

Furlan is out in Fancy Free tonight, replaced by Villarini-Velez. Mejia is out in Four Seasons, replaced by Veyette. I’m disappointed not to see Mejia tonight. I will be curious to see if he makes it for his role in Tiler’s opening on Thursday.

I ordered and received the hard copy. Have yet to read it, but I am blown away by the Martha Swope photographs. Incredible shot of Farrell and d'Amboise in Apollo on the cover. It has a drama that I don't think we see today. I also especially love a shot from Movements for Piano and Orchestra. I have never noticed this particular shaping/configuration before, but I certainly will in the future. The photograph brought out a moment I had not seen before.

As we wait to see if there is a second cast of Liebeslieder Walzer, I took a closer look at who on the current roster did the last revival in 2019, aside from the ones in the first week's cast. My info is cobbled together and may be incomplete, so anyone please correct me if you have better info. In other words, if there is a second cast, here is who would presumably be cast, and which roles would require someone new. Diana Adams -- Mearns Bill Carter -- no one on current roster; someone new would be needed (LaCour, Janzen, and Stafford did this most recently) Melissa Hayden -- no one aside from Phelan in the first cast; so for a second cast someone new would be needed (recently done by Lovette and Hyltin) Jonathan Watts -- Taylor Stanley (here I also note reports up-thread that Preston Chamblee was rehearsing this per Instagram) Jillana -- Laracey Conrad Ludlow -- someone new would be needed (recently done by J. Peck and Finlay) Violette Verdy -- Bouder Nicholas Magallanes - Gordon ETA: I just recalled that Daniel Applebaum danced last time, although I can't recall which role. But, he didn't dance in the fall and I don't think he's been cast this season either. If there's going to be a second cast, my choices for some of the gaps would be: Alexa Maxwell for the Melissa Hayden role, Indiana Woodward for the Verdy role (in case Bouder is not dancing), and Gilbert Bolden for one of the male roles.

Yes, after doing a little more research I conclude the role Sara Mearns does is the Diana Adams role. Thanks for reminding me about Garis' theory about von Aroldingen! Every time Liebeslieder comes around, I try to focus on distinguishing the couples, learning which couples correspond to the original cast, and what each couple's "story" is. A little research this afternoon enabled me to set up a spreadsheet with the song lists, Op. 52 and Op. 65. I wish that I could correspond the song list to which couple(s) dance for each song. As it is, I'm cobbling things together from my memory of the performances -- i.e., "whispering pdd," "liner on the high seas," "levitating woman," "man running around woman," and whatever else stands out to me about that number. Looking at casting for the first two current performances of Liebeslieder, I come up with the following. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong. Diana Adams -- Nadon Bill Carter -- Walker Melissa Hayden -- Phelan Jonathan Watts - Mejia Jillana -- Fairchild Conrad Ludlow -- Danchig-Waring Violette Verdy -- Peck Nicholas Magallanes - T. Angle

It is the same role that Kowroski did. I don’t know which original cast member that corresponds to.

Any reports on the Wheeldon-Martins-Peck program from Thursday night? I would also like to hear reports from today's programs. I'm hoping that Olivia MacKinnon repeats her delightful, buoyant performance in Spring.

I would like to see a second cast of Liebeslieder with Mearns and Laracey. Since this is a role Mearns does, I'm guessing that means there will be a second cast. Also, I can totally see Preston Chamblee in this (more than I can see him as his other upcoming debut, Sanguinic). His restrained elegance would be perfect here.

I see Mejia is still listed for tonight. The casting sheet was updated just yesterday (showing him being replaced by Taylor Stanley last night), so I guess that means he's still expecting to go on tonight. Wish I knew for sure. I'm tempted to go again tonight (possibly skipping Fancy Free), just to see Peck, Mejia, and Takahashi in Fall.

Just in from tonight's performance. This is the All-Robbins program. Overall a so-so program with mixed performances. Fancy Free is a great piece and great storytelling. I wonder, do they take this on tour? Do they still tour with the smaller company, NYCB Moves? This seems like a perfect piece to take with a smaller company, for short runs in smaller theatres, and I kept picturing my family members in smaller cities who would love this. For me, I have seen it enough and this was a decent but lackluster performance. Daniel Ulbricht subbed for Roman Mejia and he was great. I like Lauren Collett (red purse girl) and would like to see more of her. But overall, for me this was a case of I've seen this piece enough for now. In the Night. I don't recall seeing this previously, but maybe I've just forgotten. Does anyone know when it was last done? (Side note, it would be great if NYCB Program Notes, like those at the Metropolitan Opera, would include information about recent productions, performances, and casts.) Joseph Gordon and Indiana Woodward were out of this world. He especially has an intense beauty that is all his own but also reminds me of, and makes me miss, the late (balletically speaking) Harrison Ball. The other couples were Emilie Gerrity and Tyler Angle (subbing for Aaron Sanz, I miss him) and Tiler Peck and Gilbert Bolden. Bolden looked so great in the Fall season and continues to do so now. I'm in love with him. As for this piece in general, it reminded me of Dances at a Gathering, but with a more complicated (too complicated) conceit and costumes. I could definitely see this again and enjoy it, but casting is key. Finally, The Four Seasons. This is a very fun piece, not profound but very very fun. First up, Winter. Andres Zuniga has a great smile and energy, and David Gabriel has great elegance. Erica Pereira managed okay. Moving on to Spring, Ava Sautter swept on looking very grand and beautiful. More please. Olivia MacKinnon was a delight. I have often wondered, and I know others here have wondered, why she was moved up to soloist. Here she showed a winning expansiveness and delightful quality of movement. This is the best I've ever seen her, and made me want to see more of her. Jovani Furlan was incredible. Summer -- Anna Snellgrove also looked stunning as she swept on and waved everyone around. Note to self -- never again miss an Ashley Laracey performance. She looks GREAT. Fall -- the debut of Cainan Weber was amazing. He nailed everything. Stamina, elevation, and incredible form, showing every little detail while hanging in the air. A win!! Andrew Veyette, on the other hand, looked tired. Unity Phelan's personal beauty can carry her through anything, and technically she was good, but I didn't think she brought anything extra here. I could definitely see some of this program again, but not all of it. Looking ahead to the next few weeks, it's a little bleak. Holding out for the 4T's/Liebes program!!

I have also thought that Corti would be a great choice for Tall Girl. Hopefully that's coming!

Ugh. I deliberately decided against going last night because of "See the Music." If I had been there and then they added in the Levin Award I would have hit the roof!! Clueless indeed. I am there for the dance -- not speeches from the AD, not music lectures, not awards. And when it's a weeknight, that goes double!

What a bummer!!

MacKinnon at her best could be great in this, the problem is she doesn’t always bring her best. But maybe this delightful role will bring it out of her. Hoping! I could also see Alexa Maxwell in this role, and agree about LaFreniere.

I would be thrilled if Tiler turns out to be a capable choreographer! I'm not on Instagram, but if any of you see hints (on public-facing social media only, of course!) of Liebeslieder casting, or other casting of interest such as Four Temperaments, please post.

I'm late to this thread, but I'd add Ashley Laracey in Emeralds. Agree with Mearns in Tchai PC2 and Emma Von Enck in Rubies.

If she's truly back up to snuff, and maybe even upped her artistry with age, then sure. Otherwise, please no!

All very interesting. My history with NYCB does not go back that far and I didn’t know that having guests was a special-occasion thing. I’m glad to know it’s temporary and not a new trend. I also don’t understand it with dancers who perform regularly in NYC. If I want to see Gillian Murphy and Aran Bell, I know where to go.

Thanks for the info. I can't access the link/embedded pic, but it's good to know it's just for the anniversary year. Presumably that means it's not going to continue.

I was excited to see Ava Sautter's name in Four Seasons until I realized it's just that role where she sweeps on and regally waves her arms around. Still, this is good exposure for her. Glad to see Cainan Weber getting a big opportunity in Winter -- he deserves it! Also will be interested to see Olivia MacKinnon in Spring -- she definitely cannot wear her frequent worried expression in this one! And what on earth is going on with another guest artist!!! I just don't get this trend AT ALL.

Thanks for this report, Waltzofthesnowflakes! Kikta has a real authority and, I think, mystery about her. It sounds like the final show had some special fun!

She looks lovely in that video, thanks for posting vipa. As for Brooklyn Mack, the only time I saw him was when he guested with ABT several years back. I liked him a lot and was sorry he didn't return. I haven't followed his career since then, and while some of the partnering here looks awkward (maybe partly the height difference), he has a wonderful nobility and great springy quality in his legs.

Both the Haggin and the Garis books were interesting to me, although they are very different kinds of books. I had never heard of either of these two men before, until I saw Garis' book on my bookshelf (no recollection of when I bought this, although obviously I did at some point! What is happening to my mind??). Haggin was a longtime music critic, including 20 years at The Nation. Garis was maybe a generation younger, but they became close friends until they had a tumultuous falling out that is described in Garis' book. Haggin's book, Discovering Balanchine, came well before Garis' book, Following Balanchine, and they had fallen out by the time Garis wrote his book. But the fact that Garis gave his book such a similar title to Haggin's suggests an enduring feeling, or maybe sense of competition. Anyway, as my post above details, I found Following Balanchine to be a fascinating chronicle of Balanchine's work and more broadly, of the NYC arts world in the 1940s through 80s. Haggin's book, Discovering Balanchine, is mostly a series of black-and-white Martha Swope photos. The idea seems to be, in a pre-YouTube, pre-video era, to present iconic moments (example, "swimming lesson" from Apollo) from Balanchine's ballets through photos. They are beautiful photos; many captivated me but I will mention one, a scintillating Lourdes Lopez in Divertimento No. 15. Even with video of these ballets now more readily available, to have key moments distilled and presented so clearly, makes an impact. The photos are bookended by two short essays, one of Haggin's personal encounters with Balanchine, and another of his experience of particular ballets. Both books are worthy additions to a dance library.

Amen to that. Way way up thread there was discussion of Bolden’s evolution since joining the company. He used to come off as attention-getting and sometimes even goofy. Princely humility is just what was needed, and based on what I saw in the fall, he’s there!

He looks great with Kikta! I too would love to hear any reports from the final week of Nut.