cobweb

I’m not on Facebook so I don’t know if missing anything but does it say where the Harliquinade photos/videos were done? Curious about the locale.

Not to mention that many of us would prefer/love to see promising corps members spontaneously thrown into these roles.

With all the hubbub and excitement last night about Hallberg and Osipova, I was seriously wondering if I should bail out on the evening performance of NYCB, and instead score a standing room ticket for Giselle. Not wanting to waste a perfectly good ticket (it was too late to exchange), I went to the all-Robbins program of Opus 19/the Dreamer, Dances at a Gathering, and Glass Pieces. And so glad I did! Enjoyed it so much, in fact, that I bought a ticket to see the program again tonight. Let me just say that Dances at a Gathering is an utterly beautiful piece. Humble and modest, laced with humor, and studded with unexpected, heart-wrenching moments. Tiler Peck and Tyler Angle were particularly beautiful, especially in that lovely quiet pas de deux near the end; and also in the earlier section where he carries her offstage upside-down. I haven't seen much of Lauren Lovette recently, but she was wonderful as the girl in yellow. The playful, partnering-heavy section between her and Joseph Gordon was thrilling and very well-received by the audience. He looks great in his solos and pulled off all the partnering with aplomb, but it had an edge of uncertainty that leads me to think he is still developing his partnering skils. Sara Mearns and Chase Finlay were an unfortunate pairing. She is so big and she moves with such power and decisiveness, that she needs a strong partner who can offer total assurance, and Finlay is not that partner. It was a little worrisome. Still, she is an incredibly compelling dancer. The three-men-tossing-three-women went off powerfully, with Lovette landing dramatically upside-down in Catazaro's arms. And beautiful, rich, deeply lyrical piano from Cameron Grant. I was sitting way house left, close to the piano, and it was tempting to watch him rather than the stage. Just overall a lovely, lovely performance and a very enthusiastic audience. Opus 19/the Dreamer. I'm sure I've seen this before, but have almost no memory of it. Taylor Stanley's debut in the lead. He was magnetic, compelling, and authoritative. What a spectacular artist he is. Seeing him in such an exposed role, all in white, it got me thinking - how would he be as Apollo? Glass Pieces. Not an especially distinguished performance, but enjoyable anyway. The final section was disappointingly lackluster. I don't find Preston Chamblee the best choice to lead the male section. His elegance shines in other roles, but he lacks the sharpness and angularity for this role. Also, there has been a lot of casting turnover since we last saw this piece, with the male section filled out with new corps and apprentices. They looked ragged and under-rehearsed. Overall, though, a very rewarding night and I look forward to more of same tonight!

Thanks to all for these detailed reports! I am not seeing Giselle this year, due to lack of interest in most of the casting, unable to get to the performance I most wanted to see (Lane-Simkin), doubt that Hallberg and Osipova would actually perform, and the call of the Robbins programs across the plaza. However, I am loving reading the reports.

There is standing room in the back of the orchestra which is not so far. (However, unless you’re tall you should be certain to be in the first rung.) Sometimes they also open other levels to standing room. For the Carreno farewell I stood in the parterre (or was it grand tier??).

ABT Fan, did you consider standing room? I have had good luck with this.

I returned to Carousel for a second viewing, and so happy to get to see Amar Ramasar (he was out the night I saw it the first time). I found his acting convincing, but the only problem, if that's the right word, was his dancing -- it's so inherently noble that I found it impossible to believe him as a total low life. Agreeing with the previous posts about the lack of chemistry between Julie and Billy. On the other hand, the Carrie Pipperidge-Enoch Snow pair were absolutely totally delightful.

Week 6 casting is up. Some exciting debuts in the final performance of the season, including Ashley Laracey debuting in the lead role of Concerto Barocco!! Savannah Lowery dances the second lead as her final performance with the company. And Silas Farley debuting as well. Can't wait!!

Indeed! Glad to see I have a ticket for a Bouder-Gordon night. Can't wait to see him. But rather than Erica Pereira, IMHO they should have tapped Sara Adams for this.

This is a late report from the show last Friday, May 4. It was the Robbins-Bernstein program - Fancy Free, Dybbuk, and West Side Story Suite. I had a guest in town who wanted to see NYCB; otherwise I probably would have skipped this program, or at least chosen a performance with the all-new cast of Fancy Free (Coll, Mejia, Villarini-Velez, along with the long-missing Alexa Maxwell). I found Fancy Free moderately entertaining; especially glad to see Joseph Gordon. In this role and others this spring, he seems to be gaining in confidence and authority. He was also charmingly rakish and boyish in this role. I look forward to seeing more of him. I found Dybbuk to be dreary and way overlong. Tiler Peck and Joaquin de Luz brought a real sense of intelligence and authority to their roles, but that's the most that I can say for this piece. Would not see again. West Side Story Suite is seeming outdated, or maybe I've just seen it too many times. I enjoyed Georgina Pazcoguin and can't help but wonder why she doesn't dance more often. I was curious about the singing. Can anyone inform as to whether there are particular roles that are always done by the dancers, always done by guest singers, or does it depend on whether the dancer can sing?

Thanks for the report, wallis! I agree about the corps - when I saw them in Swan Lake two months ago, they were highly impressive. Sorry I won't get to see Jewels, as I can't make the trip this weekend, but I totally plan on more trips to see Pennsylvania Ballet. I can't wait for the chance to see Lillian DiPiazza.

Totally agree about Harrison Coll, and also the frequently-injured Harrison Ball.

I don’t think the are in denial, I think they are seriously short of bravura men. This is why Catazaro is being pushed beyond his natural limits. The male pipeline is looking sparse right now.

Any reports??

I saw Carousel last night and was *so bummed* that Ramasar did not dance!!! 😞 It was fun to see Pollack and Craig Salstein, but very disappointed about Ramasar. Hope no injury, and can't wait to see him back at NYCB. I am someone totally unfamiliar with musical theater and I went into the show knowing nothing except what I've read about the production and "metoo" etc. Yes the central relationship is problematic, and I wondered about the portrayal of Billy in this production. He just seemed mean. I didn't sense any moments of tenderness between him and Julie, didn't get a sense of what she saw in him at all. Wouldn't there be a way to portray him where he's deeply flawed, but more sympathetic, at least some of the time? Like with a scruffy charm, or someone who has tender moments. Maybe we're supposed to be baffled at Julie's choice, but it would be more relatable to me if I could at least understand something she saw in him. But he just seemed brutal and mean. Otherwise, however, I absolutely loved it, and left thinking I've really been missing out by focusing exclusively on ballet and opera. Theatre, here I come!! The music, the singing, and the production were all totally ravishing, and I was awash in weepy tears at the end. I'll be eager to see it again when it shows up on TDF.

Thanks for the info on Dybbuk, Olga and liebs!

A further note on Agon. Last night was my second time seeing Kowroski and Tyler Angle. Kowroski looks fantastic, and Angle is a great partner of course, but I felt they lacked tension in their relationship. It was too courtly. There is more suspense and a hint of menace when she's with Ramasar or Danchig-Waring.

Another terrific performance of Concerto Barocco - Agon - Four Temperaments last night. Ashley Laracey is luminous, radiating light and poetry from within. Emilie Gerrity was again grand and exciting in Sanguinic. I love the confidence and authority with which she is carrying herself; she looks like a principal. IMHO, she should update her profile photo on the website. It makes her look like a frivolous 18 year old, rather than the grand, mature presence she has become. Terrific performances in 4T's all the way around, Huxley, Janzen, Gerrity, Lowery, and the supporting corps. Thanks, NYCB!

I have no idea what Dybbuk is. Can anyone enlighten me? Will be there tomorrow night to see it.

Another vote here for doing away with "See the music" or moving it to intermission. I tend not to notice it's a "See the Music" night when I buy tickets, and as soon as that orchestra pit starts to rise, my heart goes in the opposite direction - it sinks. All I'm thinking is come on, let's get on with the show so I can get home - I have to get up for work in the morning! And back to Swanilda, I would love to see Emma von Enck getting a chance. Claire's star seems to have faded a little. She didn't do so well with Tarantella, IIRC, and I haven't seen her featured much since then. Another petite possibility would be Alston Macgill, but I don't think I've seen her in ages - she must have a long-term injury.

Yes, I wonder about this. If they need a tall guy to dance with Teuscher, what about Royal?

Wow. I would love to see that! But the matinee... 🙁

Marcelo Gomes.

Sara Mearns in Tchaikovsky pas de deux was her inimitable Sara Mearns self. I had trouble picturing her in this role, but the minute she came on stage you could see what a great fit it is for her. I immediately wondered - wow, why has she not done this before? She threw herself into it with incredible gusto, delighting herself and the audience. Sure, at times it may have been overdone - but being as this is an individual role (ie., not having to fit in or interact with others), there was room for her to put her mark on it. Tyler Angle played it safe, musical and solid, pleasing but not virtuosic. The audience went nuts for them.

I agree, pherank. I read this with interest, as did my partner. I actually like this kind of analysis and insight more than I do reviews... since I can form my own review based on my own opinion, and I read so many great reviews on BA.