cobweb

I no longer have a subscription to the NYT. Could anyone summarize generally the gist of the interview and the comment that hints Stanley could potentially leave? I find Taylor Stanley absolutely incredible... and I miss Amar a lot too.

I thought it was supposed to be for young corps as well but maybe that’s a mistaken impression. I don’t see it written anywhere and Claire Kretzschmar last year was already in the corps several years. Segin is a lovely sparkling dancer with a smile that would be the pride of any toothpaste commercial, but this honor surprises me. I would have thought Roman Mejia was the most likely candidate . Next year? Thanks for posting the news Leah!

Thank you for your thoughts and those photos, DC Export. I agree about the little bow and while I have great hesitation about tampering with Karinska, a more sophisticated top for the man would be welcome.

Pretty soon, I think. The day varies, but typically it's posted Wednesday or Thursday two weeks in advance, and usually I've noticed it gets posted late in the day, 5 or 6pm or even later. ETA: I'm eagerly waiting, too!

Thanks for posting this. Not quite sure what I think about it... but Aaron Sanz does look terrifically comedic.

Thanks for the info yukionna. They're definitely going to need a few new men in the role. I agree with the suggestion above of Huxley and Gordon, and Harrison Ball also seems like an obvious choice.

Woodward yes, Pereira please no. Who are the men who have done Desire last time around?

I noticed this also. It’s been a long time. I wonder what happened and if we will ever see her back.

Week 1 casting is up. Some exciting debuts. Taylor Stanley and Gonzalo Garcia get Apollo. And lots more debuts!

Vipa, do you have familiarity with Lopez’s artistic vision? (I don’t.) Any sense of where she has taken MCB artistically and what she might be inclined to do in terms of new choreography or productions?

Megan LeCrone is about the least Sugarplum that I can imagine. She is best appreciated in leotard and Dark Angel-type roles. Glad to hear the dynamic but under-utilized Georgina Pazcoguin livened up the show. Sounds like an action-packed trip, cubanmiamiboy!

Does trip insurance cover things like performance tickets? I never think of buying trip insurance, but in cases like this that would be good to know.

Wow, angel4830, what a bummer!! It seems like there ought to be some recourse in situations like this. With airline tickets you can choose to pay more to have the option to cancel or rebook. Maybe there ought to be something like that for dance/theatre tickets. Would be a good option when you’re planning a performance-packed trip in winter. Even if you recoup some of the cost, though, what a disappointment. Maybe next year for Nutcracker.

Thanks for the report on this performance, CTballetfan! I was highly tempted to buy a last minute ticket to see this cast, especially Tiler, but I was sadly burdened with things like laundry and packing. I believe Adam Hendrickson retired as a soloist. I will be interested to hear reports about Olivia MacKinnon's Dewdrop.

Thanks for the report on last night, canbelto. After a very taxing week at work I was thinking about treating myself to a last minute ticket to Nut, but after checking the casting I decided I didn’t need to see Ask La Cour, and what you say doesn’t surprise me at all. Also very interested in reports on Kowroski and other casting. New Cavaliers - Chamblee, Applebaum, Ulbricht - did anyone see??

Lovette has been out this Nutcracker season, I assume she's injured. Also, Ashly Isaacs has been out, like, forever. I wonder what's up and what the injury is. Would also love an update on the status of Isabella LaFreniere.

Just in from a very enjoyable Nut. I liked this cast of kids of the party scene better than the performance I saw last week, it seemed more fresh and spontaneous. I find over the years that I love the little Nutcracker princes and Fritzes more than the girls. Maybe it’s just the role, but the boys always seem more poised and noble. Both of the Fritzes I saw this year were real winners, although the one with the curly hair (don’t have the program handy so I don’t have his name) exuded such joy and exuberance that it was hard to believe him as a bad kid. Little Athan Sporek is a wonderful performer, grand and committed. On to the principals. Unity Phelan is a stunning woman and a stunning dancer. Yes as canbelto says some looked effortful such as the series of grand jetes. This is not an ideal role for the type of dancer she is, but I would go see her Dewdrop again anytime. I wasn’t crazy about the over the top Mother Ginger. I found the antics to distract from what is for me one of the most charming moments of the whole show, the little girls and the bouncing pompoms. IMHO this kind of scene stealing should be disallowed. Kennard Henson was a wonderful soldier, emphasizing the wooden aspect. I hadn’t realized what a big guy he is, but I think he’s larger than many of the Soldiers. He’s someone I definitely look forward to seeing more of. And same for Christopher Grant, a vigorous Hot Chocolate. If anyone can report on the relatively new casting or soloist performances I would LOVE to hear it: Gerrity, Miller, Kikta, Phelan, Kretzschmar, Woodward, MacKinnon, as SPF or Dewdrop, and the Applebaum, Ulbricht, and Chamblee Cavalier.

This is a late report on the same performance canbelto saw on Dec. 5. I thought Sterling Hyltin was lovely, and Veyette is a great partner, but I thought he looked a little stiff and was jutting his head out unattractively during the tours a la seconde. Huxley was a great Candy Cane. I love seeing the principals in these roles, and I miss Zachary Catazaro who was an outstanding Hot Chocolate. Agree about Megan LeCrone and Coffee. A total snooze. The last time I saw Coffee done with real steaminess was Emily Kikta. Overall I found the magic at this performance a little lacking, but whether that's because I've seen Nut so many times, because I wasn't feeling so great that evening, or something about the performance itself, is hard to say. I felt the kids looked particularly un-spontaneous, compared to what I've seen at many other performances. The Snowflakes and Flowers were terrific, though, and Harrison Coll makes a great Drosselmeier.

High time for Ulbricht to debut in this role. Strike that. Long overdue. Any reports on the two new Soldier debuts welcome - tonight Kennard Henson, tomorrow Andres Zuniga.

Thanks for the reminder about this. I noticed that at the performance I saw the other night. I thought the vivid blue was charming and in character, matching the vividness of Harlequin's diamond-patterned, multicolored outfit.

Thanks for the heads' up, Swanilda! I just ordered the book from Amazon. I love the photo they're using for the cover. True to the legend of Balanchine's arrival in the US, when he was confronted with a bunch of amateurs, and still managed to create Serenade. The photo shows him intently at work with the material at hand - no complaints from him, just making the best of what he has, and judging from the attentive expression of the dancers, he already has their cooperation and respect. And we know it developed into something beautiful. I look forward to reading the book.

It’s true that she appeared unsteady and unbalanced at times during the grand pas de deux. But Sara may be her own worst critic. What this fan remembers was her grandness, majesty, and beauty.

This is a review of last night's performance. I buy my Nut tickets way in advance, without knowing the casting. When I find I'm scheduled to see Tiler Peck's Dewdrop, it's like winning the lottery. She did not disappoint her fans last night, turning in yet another dazzling and daring performance. Sara Mearns was a majestic Sugarplum Fairy. She is so beautiful. There is something exotic about her eyes, but when you zoom in, they're sparkling blue and friendly. Truly alluring. Russell Janzen was a perfect Cavalier, attentive and noble. Other standouts were two tall and beautiful flowers, the grand Emilie Gerrity and Miriam Miller. The Nutcracker prince, little Athan Sporek (sp?) has a charisma and poise beyond his years. I gather he's already an accomplished performer, and I can see why. Keep going, little Athan! Sebastian Villarini-Velez made his debut as the Soldier. He was not as "wooden" as others have been, but boy he gives everything his all. Not sure I've seen Devin Alberda do Candy Cane before, but he was terrific. It was great to see all the dancers I'm so familiar with, but also great to see unknown and beaming new faces, apprentices and children. I really go for the first act, the charm of the party scene, and the magic of the violin solo and transformation and battle scenes. Look forward to at least two more performances this season. And would be really glad to read any other reviews!

Which dates, canbelto? Was it the particular casting that drew you in?

Week 4 of casting up. Debuts for Sebastian Villarini-Velez as the Cavalier and Kennard Henson as Tea. Very excited to find I have a ticket for the Woodward-Ball-Phelan cast, with the bonus of Roman Mejia as Tea. Can't wait. The Adams-Villarini-Velez-Kikta cast also looks terrific, I would love to see that one.