cobweb

On 1/23/2024 at 8:42 AM, abatt said:

This was one area where I admired what Martins did.  There was more fluidity in assigning roles to promising young dancers under his tenure than under the current admin.  The current leaders seem to value seniority as the guiding factor in casting to a greater extent than Martins.   

Would today's admin allow a teenage ballerina to debut the leads in Agon, Prodigal Son and Titania the way that Martins allowed Miriam Miller to do under his tenure?  I doubt it.

Going back to abatt's comment from a week or so ago, I have to agree. Take Ballo della Regina. Fairchild is a great dancer, but I'm not sure she's adding anything new at this point. I would rather see fresh faces, such as, in this role, Emma Von Enck or Alexa Maxwell. I wonder, back in the day, what would Martins (or any AD hoping to develop exciting young talent) do in this situation? Fairchild is dancing at the top of her game and delivers sparkling performances, but (at least some of) the audience are eager to see newer faces take on some roles. If, say, Maxwell or Von Enck were cast, that's fewer performances for Fairchild. Or are senior dancers, even when still dancing well, asked to relinquish some roles altogether? I'm not sure what the right, or best, answer is. 

Looking at the women's principal and soloist roster, I can't help but think that the development of talent is not going as well as it should. For principals, the only ones I find consistently exciting are Tiler Peck, Sara Mearns, Mira Nadon, and Indiana Woodward. For the rest: Bouder is not dancing and seems unlikely to return. I feel I've seen Fairchild in the same roles for long enough. Unity is a mixed bag, but doesn't seem as exciting as she once did. LaFreniere has had some great performances and great potential, and some botched and inhibited performances as well. Emilie Gerrity is an excellent, consistent dancer but doesn't take it to the next level IMHO. There are three soloists -- Von Enck, Maxwell, and Kikta -- who are more dynamic and exciting than several of the principals. And Ashley Laracey has a far richer artistic maturity than most of the principals. I accept that Laracey's career isn't going to go any further, and that's okay -- she has more than delivered on the assignments she's been given. But Von Enck, Maxwell, and Kikta should be dancing principal roles now. I am confident that Von Enck will get there, but when? She's ready now. And I believe both Maxwell and Kikta could hold their own as principals as well, I'm just not sure they will ever get there. 

I await reports on Tiler’s new piece!

4 hours ago, abatt said:

I enjoy Furlan's dancing, but these past two years have resulted in a  lot of absences.  He missed a substantial amount of time  due to family problems that required him to return to Brazil.  Now he is injured.  Quite unfortunate. 

Agree with this. He has so so much to offer, and we don't get to see enough of him. 

I hope I'm getting these roles right and not just confusing things. As far as I can tell, for the 2nd cast of Liebeslieder Walzer, we have: 

Diana Adams -- Mearns

Bill Carter -- Chan

Melissa Hayden -- Woodward

Jonathan Watts - Chamblee

Jillana -- Laracey

Conrad Ludlow -- Sanz

Violette Verdy -- LaFreniere

Nicholas Magallanes - Veyette

… and casting for this week is updated. Mejia is out of all of his assignments, except for Tiler’s new piece. 

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.

3 minutes ago, dirac said:

Didn't Kowroski dance a lot of old Farrell roles? If so, the original cast member would be Diana Adams, who danced the girl who has the "whispering" pas de deux if I recall correctly, which role then went to Farrell and then to von Aroldingen after Farrell left. The ballet was then out of repertory until a revival not long after Balanchine's death, when it was staged by von Aroldingen and Farrell was first cast in her old role. (Robert Garis' theory was that Balanchine didn't want to take the role from von Aroldingen but he didn't want her to dance it with Farrell back in the company either.)

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

2 hours ago, BalanchineFan said:

I've seen several casts of Liebeslieder in the past and I've never seen Mearns dance it. Which role does she typically do?

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!!

1 hour ago, MarzipanShepherdess said:

Naomi Corti gave a sweet speech about how seeing Emily Kikta debut in Rubies while Naomi was a new SAB student had cemented her determination to join the company and been a lasting inspiration to her. Thought it was lovely of her to pay homage to another dancer like that. 

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

50 minutes ago, abatt said:

Last night's program started at 7:30 and ended at 10:15.  Was it really necessary to have the Levin Award presentation and a See The Dance lecture on the same night?  Couldn't they have done that lecture on any other night when The Four Seasons was being performed?  Clueless.  

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! 

7 minutes ago, abatt said:

 

Per the lobby casting sheet Sanz is replaced in all assignments this week.

 

What a bummer!!

14 hours ago, abatt said:

 

LaFreniere would have been perfect casting for Spring in the Four Seasons with Furlan.  Nothing against Olivia M., but she would not be a top choice for such an important role. 

 

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.  

2 hours ago, abatt said:

Based on a short film released by NYCB, Tiler Peck's new ballet apparently is set to Poulenc's Concerto for Two Pianos, and the costumes are designed by Zac Posen.

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. 

5 hours ago, vipa said:

I wonder if Bouder will be cast in Liebeslieder.

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. 

11 hours ago, KikiRVA said:

The guest artist plan was announced months ago as part of the celebration for the 75th anniversary year.  It does not seem at all related to the performance of current company members.  

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.