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3 hours ago, Waltzofthesnowflakes said:

Kikta always has a commanding and masterful presence and did not disappoint as Dewdrop! Tiler even flung some snow during finale! The New Year’s Eve audience was enthralled!!

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!

On 12/28/2023 at 10:23 PM, vipa said:

Sarah Lane is a quality dancer. I'm sorry she isn't with a company. She's made her own decisions for whatever reasons.

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. 

4 hours ago, tutu said:

I’d like to think that Bolden is well on his way to becoming one of the great NYCB partners, in the vein of Soto, Angle, etc. From what I remember of seeing him as Cavalier, he has the demeanor, the princely humility, down pat.

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!

8 minutes ago, uptowner said:

Bolden posted pics and videos of himself as cavalier with various sugar plums 

He looks great with Kikta!

I too would love to hear any reports from the final week of Nut.

2 hours ago, BalanchineFan said:

Debra Austins

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. 

2 minutes ago, Helene said:

 

Are the partial-view seats the ones in the Fifth Ring -- if they're still calling it that -- the top-most section on the sides?

 

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. 

6 hours ago, FauxPas said:

On Saturday night, Ashley Laracey looks like a seasoned, commanding principal ballerina - not an aging soloist.  Balances were secure, port de bras was finished and lovely and she was technically in command throughout.  Nothing extra - just beautiful line and aristocratic elegance.  Laracey projected a mature, queenly presence that radiated serenity and grace.

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!

1 hour ago, Susu_nyc said:

How does one obtain a standing ticket?  NIght off at the box office and only if they are sold out?

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. 

6 hours ago, BalanchineFan said:

Unity Phelan posted an IG story congratulating Alexa Maxwell on her Dewdrop debut! Yay!

There was a picture of Alexa in costume in a dressing room.

Terrific to hear! Did it say which performance? She wasn't on the casting sheet, so I wonder who she replaced. 

I guess many of us here are NOT attending multiple Nutcrackers. But, if anyone was there tonight, I would love a report on Ashley Laracey's Surgarplum and Davide Riccardo's Cavalier debut. 

14 hours ago, matilda said:

The party scene is a little boring but then that growing Christmas tree and the transformation of the Nutcracker prince make me choke up every time

Me too! The whole section from the end of the party through the waltz of the snowflakes is just my favorite. The beautiful violin solo, the dark wintery house, the grand transformation scene, the battle (I love that the heroine saves her own prince!), the bed sailing along through the snow, and finally the mesmerizing snowflakes. Magical storytelling, beautiful grand music, and surprisingly deeply moving. 

I went for standing room last night. $44, so the price is right, even if it's a mile from the stage. Emma Von Enck was absolutely lovely, radiant and authoritative. Roman Mejia looked fabulous also, technically brilliant of course and I loved his restrained but proud nobility. Tiler Peck was spectacular. Also Miriam Miller went for all-out sultriness as Coffee, using those long long limbs to mesmerizing effect. KJ Takahashi was excellent as the Soldier. I notice they have altered the part where he mock-shoots towards the kids and they all laughingly tumble over -- instead, he shoots up into the air. Agree the violin solo was screechy. In addition, they use that time for late seating. There was a LOT of people coming in late, it was very very distracting. I usually really love that plaintive, wintery solo -- the effect was completely lost last night. 

Curious for any reports! I'm glad it's selling so well, but for me, the ticket prices are forbidding, and I suspect for many of us here as well. I see Olivia MacKinnon did Dewdrop tonight. Not a debut, but I am curious to hear how she does in this role, as I've had my doubts about her promotion to soloist but occasionally have gotten a glimmer of why she was promoted. Also, how about Ashley Hod last night? 

2 minutes ago, Jacqueline said:

Ava Sautter posted footage of herself rehearsing the Sugarplum solo on Instagram a few hours ago.  I don't know what that portends for the final week of Nutcracker but hope they give her a chance!  

Ava Sautter seems like an obvious choice for Sugarplum! I would love to see a whole slew of debuts for the final week.  

Nothing for Alexa Maxwell this season except for Coffee and Flowers? Baffling. 

Just watching the old video of Ashley Bouder as Dewdrop, and wow does she look amazing! Not sure when that video was taken, but the Flowers look like Rebecca Krohn and Lauren King, and I think I see a young Emily Kikta and Emilie Gerrity in the corps. I hope to see, or had hoped to see, a performance or two this week, but it looks totally sold!! Do they ever open standing room for Nut, does anyone know?

If anyone sees LaFreniere's Sugarplum debut this afternoon, please report! I am also excited to see Aaron Sanz is dancing again and would love to hear how he looks as well. Wish I could have attended this performance, but we already had other plans when the casting came out. Still mulling this week's casting and a possible performance or two. I do wish for more exciting casting and debuts. 

9 hours ago, Fleurfairy said:

The lack of dynamic casting for Nutcracker under Stafford/Whelan is truly perplexing. What is there to lose by trying some promising corps dancers in SPF/Dewdrop/Cavalier? Most of the audience just wants to have an evening at the ballet with their kids and could care less who is cast and the NYCB diehards would love to see some up and comers given the opportunities.

I so, so agree with this. Nutcracker is such an obvious time to give promising corps dancers many opportunities. It's good for them to develop, and great for the company to see how they do in big roles. In addition to the speculation above about Dewdrop, I could see the following corps ladies as Sugarplum: Ava Sautter, Olivia Boisson, and Dominika Afanesenkov. Also of course, Alexa Maxwell would be great as Sugarplum or Dewdrop.  

2 hours ago, matilda said:

Just imagine what a great partner he could be for tall ballerinas like Mearns, Nadon, and LaFreniere

... and Emily Kikta!!

1 hour ago, abatt said:

The 2024 Spring Season will feature Gillian Murphy and Aran Bell from American Ballet Theatre who will perform Jerome Robbins’ Other Dances.  

 

Wow, I missed that. Not sure how I feel about this. I like the NYCB dancers I know and love! Why do we need these guest artists when we already have an entire company of great dancers? On the other hand, Chun Wai Chan and Jovani Furlan have turned out to be thrilling additions to the company. For the guest Dewdrop, best case scenario is that she's really, really good. But how about the following as Dewdrop: Corti, MT MacKinnon, Afanasenkov, Sautter, Collett, or getting into very new corps members, Allegra Inch? 

6 minutes ago, matilda said:

Well, in a strange twist of events, someone from Dance Theatre of Harlem is guesting as Dewdrop for at least two shows: https://res.cloudinary.com/new-york-city-ballet/image/upload/v1701273326/Documents/Casting/NYCB_Casting_Dec_12-17_2023.pdf

I don't understand the logic of this when there are so many talented corps ladies ready for bigger things. Are they testing her out as a potential recruitment? 

How odd! Has this ever been done before, to anyone's memory? I does seem disappointing, when there are so many corps ladies already who we would love to see as Dewdrop. 

13 minutes ago, tutu said:

Has Alexa Maxwell done a turn as SPF yet?  I’d love to see her in the role.

I was wondering the same! Also, has she done Dewdrop? I can see her being wonderful in both. 

I look forward to reports from anyone there tonight, or any and all Nutcracker reports! I may get to one or two performances, I'm especially looking at the LaFreniere Sugarplum (and would be thrilled to see Aaron Sanz back in action!!), the Von Enck-Mejia-Peck cast, Peck-Mejia-Miller, or Laracey-Riccardo-Woodward. Several other casts appeal as well. After the 3rd week, I'm out of NYC for the season, so I hope for many reports. 

4 minutes ago, ABT Fan said:

What role would you suggest, honest question. I think Romeo or Siegfried needs to wait a bit. Lensky is a good option. If they were doing Don Q I’d say absolutely to Basilio.

I don't have a good answer, given the rep they are doing. I know there are many many considerations in planning programming, but I would think/hope that finding a suitable vehicle for him, given his promise and the sensational publicity he's been getting, would be a priority. And I don't think Romeo is such a stretch. He did a bang-up job with the huge role of Puck (so I hear, I didn't see it), so taking on Romeo doesn't seem too too far a stretch.