cobweb

Ashley Laracey was the very essence of radiance and poetry. Her special beauty strikes me at such a deep level that it's hard to put into words. An absolutely lovely performance. And Barocco overall is just the perfect embodiment of music. So moving. I had complained about Emilie Gerrity no longer doing the third theme of 4T's, but now I see why... she debuted in Sanguinic. Pretty exciting, I thought. Grand and committed. Her promotion to soloist took me by surprise, but I've become a fan. Further thought about Savannah Lowery, comparing her with Megan LeCrone in the second pas de trois of Agon. Saw Lowery on Thursday, and LeCrone today. Both did well overall. But Lowery is more exciting. A small detail that made a big impact is when the the woman and two men enter, explode with energy around the stage, then come to a halt stage right, and the woman takes the hand of one man, then puts her hand down on the other guy's hand - hope I'm describing this moment so it can be recognized - Lowery gave that second hand lowering just the right timing and gesture to dramatically punctuate the music, giving me a thrilling jolt. LeCrone fudged it so it wasn't a moment you'd even notice. Anthony Huxley was thrilling in Melancholic, and Russell Janzen gave an intelligent rendition of Phlegmatic. It was as if you could see Phlegmatic thinking and translating his thought into his gestures. The backup ladies of Phlegmatic have been exciting as well. More of Emily Kikta and her long legs, please. I wasn't planning to go on Wednesday... but just called the box office. Have to see Laracey again.

Wow, good for her! She and Dieck are moving on to great new careers.

I too am enjoying the all-Balanchine programs... and taking in as many performances as I can, given that my interest in the rest of the season is more selective. On Thursday night, Kowroski, Stafford, Janzen, and corps delivered another beautiful performance of Concerto Barocco. Stafford charming and engaging, Kowroski majestic, and Janzen an attentive, noble, self-effacing partner. The slide-to-arabesque penche sequence was like a sudden and astounding flowering. In Agon, Reichlen seems to be working hard to bring the needed intensity and sizzle, but she and Finlay don't have a ton of chemistry, and they don't seem to have the choreography in their bones in the same intuitive way that, say, Kowroski and Ramasar do. Hoping (expecting!) for a lot better from Kowroski and Tyler Angle at today's matinee. The Four Temperaments - wow, just what a great, great piece. I'm really missing Emilie Gerrity in the third theme - I find her way, way more grand than Miriam Miller, and way more musical. Miller looks like she's doing the steps, while Gerrity makes it seem organic. But again - what a great, great piece. As Drew said above, last night's program was a delight. It was an all-star cast of Apollo, featuring three of the company's august female principals, Kowroski, Mearns, and Reichlen, along with Chase Finlay. And I agree with Drew about Savannah Lowery; I don't get all the criticism of her. She's not light or delicate in any way; her strength rather is in power, blazing force, musicality, and a confidence in stagecraft that seems to come from her many years of experience. And as always, I loved Taylor Stanley in Symphony in 3. I can never get enough of his electric presence.

I was there on opening night, and I completely agree about the magnificence and beauty of Maria Kowroski in Concerto Barocco. I am charmed by her address to the audience and dazzled by the completeness of her authority onstage. She and Janzen looked wonderful together, secure and touching. I look forward to seeing much more of her this season, and more of this pairing. On the other hand, disagreeing with some others here, I did not care for Miriam Miller in the third theme of Agon. I find both her and Ashley Hod uninteresting - lacking in some extra quality, a sense of depth and richness. Corps ladies who I find more interesting and that I'd like to see getting more opportunities are LaFreniere, Kikta, and E. von Enck. ETA: ... and of course, Lydia Wellington.

I didn't realize he's been in the corps for 10 years. He's only come onto my radar screen within the past few years. I do think his ballet career is on an upward trajectory, very much so, but I can totally understand wanting another kind of life, and if he's in his late twenties, now is a good time to make a change.

That is a real shame about Cameron Dieck, and a bit of a mystery, too. He seemed like a great candidate for bigger roles and a promotion. I was looking forward to seeing his career develop. Sorry he's leaving!!

Questions per Mr. Cobweb. Who is the tallest girl? My thoughts: Clark-Miller-Kikta. Not sure where Kowroski fits in there. Any sources as to height?

If the search for a new AD is still "in the early stages" (!!), what is going to happen with promotions, I wonder. Surely they can't put that off indefinitely. They will soon have to make decisions about moving the apprentices to the corps, and choosing a new batch of apprentices. Will other promotion decisions be made as well?

YES to Liebeslieder Waltzer, Tchaikovsky piano concerto no. 2, Scotch Symphony and UNION JACK!!

That is terrible news for him, and for us. He will be missed. But I cannot wait to see Ashley Laracey in Concerto Barocco.

Casting up!!

The "Grace and Grandeur" program is opening tonight. I would look forward to any reviews. Thinking about coming in for a performance this weekend.

OMG. That's not what I want to hear! Come back soon, Amar!!!

In a crazy way, I'm sorry to hear that Amar was great! If he flopped on Broadway, at least we could be sure he'd return to NYCB. I just pray he doesn't go the way of Robert Fairchild.

No, I think he did the main role. I distinctly remember him in the t&v. Maybe his partner wasn’t Hyltin but I just can’t imagine who else it could have been. Does anyone else remember this?

I believe they did Mozartiana together a few years back.. I only remember Huxley’s beauty. Yes to reports!

Eduardo, I for one would be glad to hear your report. I hope there is room here for many voices. Hope you enjoy the performance!

Another vote here for not missing the opportunity to see Herman Cornejo. If there's any chance at all to see the matinee, Lane-Simkin-Shevchenko would definitely be my first choice, however. Eduardo, hope you report back on the performance!

It’s been a year or two since I did standing room for ABT, but I thought they were only available the day of the performance as well. I’ll be interested to see if this is a mistake or a change in policy.

There’s always standing room.

My advice, ABT Fan: hold off on buying a ticket until the last minute. If they are performing and you can't get a seat, do standing room.

Thanks for the report, rhys! I'm thinking I really should take off from work to see Shevchenko and Whiteside in the matinee on June 20.

Thanks leeyl! It's great to hear about Shevchenko. BTW your report sounds pretty qualified to me. Hope you keep reporting!

I agree about the departed dancers, especially Messmer and Kajiya. I'd add Maria Riccetto, a longtime soloist who left to pursue opportunities elsewhere. I cherished the pristine clarity of her dancing.

I’d say welcome back to both.