cobweb

I had been hoping to see Sleeping Beauty in the fall but the Harry Potter convention took up all the city's hotel rooms. Now I want to see Swan Lake but it's the flower show! ... and my favorite hotel is booked up. I will have to make it a day trip. I am considering the matinees on March 10 and 11, and possibly the evening show on March 10. Can those of you familiar with the company evaluate/recommend casting? I would be most interested in a lyrical, soulful Odette. Thanks for any comments! Also, is there standing room?

I'm not sure what the Tomasson/Yourth parts are, but the second couple listed (today, Pereira and Ulbricht) are the first to appear, with the all the big sideways leaps.

No - the first couple listed does the pdd (today, Tiler Peck and Taylor Stanley). What a relief to get back to Balanchine!

I wonder if there’s any chance Martins would get his job back. The position is still open, and he’s been officially cleared.

Ouch.

Tyler Angle danced (if that's the right word) in Oltremare today. This was my only viewing of the Square Dance-Oltremare-Four Seasons program. Square Dance was, as always, a bright spot of joy for me. Oltremare - I went in trying to keep an open mind. I read negative reviews here, as well as a few positive comments from post-ers I usually agree with. But I found it dreadfully dreary. I don't care for the acrobatic lifting school of choreography. And dancers suddenly darting forward for no apparent reason - is that supposed to be deep? The whole piece seemed calculated to startle and depress, as contrasted with the other two pieces on the program, which aim to amaze and delight. However, the friend I brought with me had some thoughtful comments about it afterward. I would try it one more time. Four Seasons is a delightful piece. Ashley Laracey looked positively radiant and aglow in Summer. Roman Mejia was a sensation in Autumn. Not only technique, but tons of stage charm and charisma. Hope he can continue to develop, and not overdo the charm. Zachary Catazaro got through his solo sections, but this kind of dancing is not his forte.

Huxley was replaced by Taylor Stanley who was his usual electrifying self.

... and I wholeheartedly agree also. I enjoyed Miller more in Chaconne than I have previously, because she looked relaxed and vibrant.

I have a ticket for tonight's performance that I cannot use. If anyone would like it and can pick it up from my doorman near 57th and Broadway, PM me.

This is a great point. I discovered Balanchine in 2011 and there are many pieces I have not yet seen, and many I have not seen nearly enough of.

Great idea, abatt! I second that motion.

Oltremare is definitely a disincentive for me, even though Square Dance is one of my very favorite ballets, and I can never get enough of Four Seasons. As much as I want to see Square Dance and Four Seasons, I don't want to spend on a ticket when I know a third of the program is something I dread.

Excellent news. He's been looking great.

Christina Clark.

So true, canbelto, and let's not forget Andrew Scordato and Daniel Applebaum who have been looking excellent this season. Somehow I don't think of Harrison Coll as tall, but maybe I'm wrong. How tall is Joseph Gordon relative to the others? What would be the tallest women Coll or Gordon could partner? I think I recall seeing Gordon once with Megan LeCrone, and that did not look like a good matchup.

... I'd add that when the batch of (mostly) new apprentices comes out for the big ensemble in Chaconne, I'm struck by how short a batch they are. Especially the men. This does not bode well for the current crop of up-and-coming tall women. I hope next year's class of apprentices includes a few promising, tall men. As for tall women, I'm in love with Isabella LaFreniere. She moves like velvet, and she radiates liveliness and intelligence.

Aside from Boisson's fall, the performance of Four T's left me deeply, deeply impressed with what a masterpiece it is. The all-Balanchine programs have been deeply satisfying and as someone said above, balm for the soul. If they are still working on the programming for next year, I would suggest that in this time of transition, go heavy on the Balanchine. That is what (so I think) the audience really wants to see. What about bringing back Ballet Imperial, Ballo della Regina, and let's keep Divertimento #15. I have seen all four performances of the Divertimento-4 T's-Chaconne program, as two of these are pieces I have rarely seen. And I could not be happier.

I felt grateful to see Maria Kowroski in Chaconne last night. She carries it off like a true ballerina, a star. She confidently accepts her authority and her role as queen, sprinkling in humor and playfulness, charmingly shy and yet bold, and never failing to address and engage the audience. What a great dancer. I hope the younger ones can learn from her. I also loved Isabella LaFreniere in one of the featured roles of Chaconne. Lively and beautiful, with a beaming smile and beaming presence. Unity Phelan is so beautiful it's to die for, but I felt, as Royal Blue said above, that she does not yet have the elegance and radiance that Ashley Laracey brought to their shared role in Divertimento.

Getting back to analysis of the male roster, the soloist ranks looks a little spotty as well. Harrison Ball - is he listed for this season? He's a beautiful dancer, but it seems like he's out a lot, injury I presume. Otherwise a lot of potential, but it's just potential at this point. Joseph Gordon - a ton of potential, probably the best bet on the soloist roster, but young and needs more confidence in partnering. Justin Peck - don't know what to expect there. When he's good, he's good. Just don't know how committed to that he is anymore. Troy Schumacher - limited potential mainly due to height. Sean Suozzi - someone I like a lot - been a soloist for a long time - not sure how much further he can go. That's it. The male roster needs to be beefed up.

I noticed this also. I know I’ve never seen that before. Add me to the list of those who enjoyed the Kowroski/Angle Mozartiana.

I was at this afternoon's performance of Apollo, Mozartiana, and Cortege Hongrois. I didn't think this was the best performance I ever saw of Mozartiana. Sara Mearns was over-energetic to the point of sloppy. Chase Finlay is very easy on the eyes, and a genuine pleasure when his form is good, but he had some difficulties with the choreography and or the pace, and seemed to be struggling with his stamina. I didn't get any sense of a rapport between them. The Preghiera was beautiful, though, and so prayerful it felt wrong to applaud. On the other hand, the performance of Apollo left me with a deep respect for what a great, great piece that is. Cortege Hongrois is still relatively new to me, it's fun, and I love the solo, but it does get long. Unity Phelan in her debut in the folk section looked more ballet-y than folk-y, but nonetheless very committed and very beautiful. Ashley Bouder was a marvel. She didn't over-act or go for the cute look, and her total command of timing and technique is breathtaking. Russell Janzen subbed for Andrew Veyette (who IMHO looked sluggish and heavy when I saw him a few nights ago) and was impressive. I don't know if I'm hyper-attuned to any problems the company may be having, but I get the feeling they're running on the professionalism of the dancers, especially the principals and soloists, and the fact that a lot of this rep is very familiar to the dancers. Otherwise - again maybe I'm reading into it - I'm starting to get a sense of a lack of leadership and or discipline. Formations are ragged and sometimes timing visibly off. Over three performances the past week, I've noticed dancers drop pose too early during their exit into the wings (and I'm not sitting on the extreme sides) and tonight one of the corps ladies in Mozartiana made it halfway onto the stage way ahead of her cue, before beating a hasty retreat. Finally - isn't it about time for the Janice Levin Dancer Honoree? Surely they won't skip this year because of the interim leadership. If anyone has (official, of course!!) intel, please report. I would vote for Isabella LaFreniere, followed closely by Emily Kikta.

I enjoyed both Wednesday and Thursday nights very much. The highlights were a fantastic Four T's, especially the astonishing, committed Anthony Huxley. Also Divertimento, why don't they do this sparkling, wonderful piece more often? (Ditto Ballo della Regina.) It was wonderful to see Ashley Laracey back, looking better than ever, 100% ballerinalike in her graciousness and regality. More please. Andrew Veyette was looking sluggish, unfortunately, but whatever he does, he has an air of command onstage, making you always remember why he's a principal. I too noted some mishap with Sara Mearns and Adrian Danchig-Waring, and heard something that I took to be an audience member gasping. Wasn't clear about what happened, though. Anyway, I am very, very relieved to see the company looking so wonderful, but IMHO they need to find strong leadership soon. The dancers need to know whose eyes they are dancing for, and it's not just the audience

I noticed Pazcoguin was absent for the Nut season. Glad to see Ashley Laracey back on the casting lists. It’s interesting they are fielding three casts of Cortège. Does that mean it’s going into regular rotation for the next few years?

I don’t have a ton of knowledge of who’s running things behind the scenes but vipa’s suggestion sounds wise to me. Put things in the hands of those who have long and reliable experience with the company, as a shock absorber and to give time for a reasonable transition. The interim team all seem young and inexperienced with leadership and artistic direction

I too am worried about the Balanchine legacy and the company generally. Balanchine is what makes NYCB unique - Balanchine is the company’s identity and brand. Please please no Millepied. That would be a disaster.