cobweb

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.

I just love Debra Austin in that video (on youtube) of Ballo della Regina!

I am astonished they are selling out, especially at those ticket prices! I do wonder where this high demand is coming from, since I've heard performing arts ticket sales are down generally post-pandemic... but good for them! Looking ahead to the Winter season. I see that Ashley Bouder was not cast at all in Nutcracker. I wonder if we will see a retirement from her. The program I'm most looking forward to for Winter is Four Temperaments/Liebeslieder Walzer. She has roles in both of those, but obviously Liebeslieder would be more likely for Bouder. While I hope she gets a great send-off (whenever that may be, Winter or otherwise), I would rather see some fresh casting in Liebeslider. I'm trying to recall who did which roles last time around, does anyone recall or have old programs handy? Lovette, Hyltin, and Reichlen all had roles.

There are partial-view seats on all the balconies, running along the sides of the house. In other words, just like the Fifth Ring, on every level except Orchestra.

Thank you for this report! As Ashley Laracey's #1 fan (in my own mind, anyway), I was tempted to do another standing room visit to see Laracey and Riccardo. Sorry I missed it!

That's right. If it's a sellout, and you buy them in person, day of the performance, at the box office. It makes sense to call first and see if standing room is open. I found that even when it looked online like there were a few random partial-view seats left, it was considered a sellout and they opened standing room. Terrific to hear! Did it say which performance? She wasn't on the casting sheet, so I wonder who she replaced.