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Veyette looked wonderful. His consummate ease and command of partnering really stood out. Isabella Boylston -- there is so much to enjoy about her dancing. She has beautiful feet and legs, and a relaxed, unforced technique. But I find her unrefined, lacking in a sense of grandeur or nobility. She comes across as overly casual in her manners. I could see her developing into someone I would really love seeing, but it's not there yet.

Misty Copeland displayed a wonderful softness and expressiveness in Duo Concertant. I didn't find Eric Tamm as interesting as she was.

Thank you! I may be making a "plaza dash" at intermission tomorrow!

Can someone who was there tonight please tell me the order of the program? Is T&V first?

I am getting worried about ABT. It would be terrible to see them go the way of City Opera.

Casting changes announced on Twitter: Tomorrow matinee T&V will be Lane and Simkin, rather than Cornejo (this one is also now listed on the casting page). And Gillian Murphy tweeted that she won't be doing the evening T&V -- the one with Andrew Veyette. No word on who's replacing her in that. With Murphy still injured, and now Cornejo out for some unspecified reason, it's just more bad news for ABT!

I attended both performances on Saturday (Davidsbundlertanze and Union Jack at the matinee, Glass Pieces/Opus19 the Dreamer/the Concert in the evening). I enjoyed it all -- a wonderful day at the ballet, really showing the range of the company.

Russell Janzen was terrific in Davidsbundlertanze. Teresa Reichlen is a beautiful dancer, but I felt she was a little too cool and didn't bring out the inner life of the role; I preferred Sara Mearns from earlier in the week.

I love Union Jack. Sara Mearns was explosive in MacDonald of Sleat. Ashley Bouder -- as when I saw her in this role in the winter season, she is noticeably ahead of her regiment, or they're behind her -- whichever it is, it ruins the unison effect (in both RCAF and WRENS). Megan Fairchild and Amar Ramasar made the Costermonger section more enjoyable than I've usually seen it. Ramasar in particular is a wonderful comedic actor, very engaging with the audience.

I enjoy Glass Pieces very much. The final section with the men running around is mesmerizing. In Opus 19/The Dreamer, I find Gonzalo Garcia much improved this season. Seems to have lost weight, seems more energetic and committed. The Concert was delightful, and so funny. My favorite parts are the pas de six that goes so wrong, and the ballerina attempting to do a pas de deux with the man who's scared of her. Oh, and the umbrella section is quietly poetic. Thanks NYCB!

I love Union Jack. From the second that rolling drumbeat starts I am rapt in my seat, and at times -- like when the two women's regiments approach and pass each other backwards, and during MacDonald of Sleat -- I find myself clutching the armrest with tension and excitement. Even the simplest of movements, like watching the regiments walk forward in unison, with arms swinging left to right, and then coming to a halt, feels thrilling. The Royal Navy section by contrast is pure high-energy enjoyment.

I enjoyed Davidsbundslrtanze, a new piece to me -- but I really missed Dances at a Gathering, which made a big impression on me when it was paired with Union Jack in the winter season. I feel Davidsbundlertanze will grow on me, though.

I saw a couple of performances over the weekend (Friday night, Saturday night, Sunday matinee).

I enjoyed the all Robbins program (Glass Pieces, Opus 19/The Dreamer, and The Concert). Maria Kowroski was delightful in The Concert. I think of her look in the "black and white" ballets as "the implacable Maria Kowroski stare," so it can be surprising when she is so funny and expressive. Rarely have I heard a ballet audience laugh so heartily. In Opus 19/The Dreamer, Tiler Peck danced with explosive force.

On the other program (Raymonda variations, Steadfast Tin Soldier, Tombeau de Couperin, and Symphony in C), I could do without Steadfast Tin Soldier. I enjoy the formality and inventiveness of Tombeau de Couperin. In Raymonda Variations, Ashly Isaacs especially stood out. She looks perfectly natural and at ease, unaffected, with a beautiful smile. All this while executing the steps with bravura, including fouettes slowed down enough to time perfectly with the music.

Symphony in C. Tiler Peck was a marvel of technique and musicality in the first movement. Sara Mearns was beautiful. Antonio Carmena looked terrific. There is a real wealth of talent at NYCB! I enjoyed both performances very much... and looking forward to tonight!

Re Megan LeCrone, I enjoy her in more serious roles like the shortened Swan Lake, and the Dark Angel in Serenade.

Chase Finlay replaced both last night and tonight, announced just before the performance. He was still listed for both on the casting sheet in the lobby. Hoping it's something very minor!

More tomorrow, but what a wonderful performance of symphony in c tonight! Sara Mearns, just so so beautiful.

Perhaps this thread should be re-titled "ABT's Talent Development & Retention Problem" -- it's not just male principals. I was so sorry to see Simone Messmer and Maria Riccetto leave, and now Yuriko Kajiya. Stella Abrera... let's not even go down that path. At least we still get to see her dance! As for Kristi Boone, she looked very promising when she was promoted to soloist... 7 years ago. I really don't understand why she has danced so little, but I'm assuming that like the others, her talents were not appreciated.

As for casting in Australia, perhaps Sarah Lane will get a Swan Lake with Cornejo...?

Agreeing with balanchinette for pointing out how stellar the male principals were in Symphony in C were last night. Andrew Veyette was completely sharp and a devoted partner. Tyler Angle, another fantastic partner, is a joy to the eyes with his form and elegance. Gonzalo Garcia seemed revitalized by dancing with the debutant. And Adrian Danchig-Waring, wow! Sometimes I just can't believe my eyes, he is so powerful and precise and committed. All in all, so different from another nearby company...

Brief note: A wonderful debut last night by Ashly Isaacs in the 3rd movement of Symphony in C. Totally confident and at ease, making the choreography look like child's play... and with a beautiful smile, looking like she was having the time of her life. Very impressive, and I totally look forward to seeing her more!

Thanks for your comments, Kathleen! That's very helpful. I guess I was looking for a little too much plot, when it's more about pure dance.

I opened the season by seeing two enjoyable performances of "Namouna" (Friday night and Sunday matinee). Robert Fairchild was amazing -- beautiful form, athleticism, and charisma. The cigarette girl is a perfect role for Ashley Bouder, showcasing her dazzling footwork and comic timing. Sara Mearns was her usual explosive self. I find Sterling Hyltin less interesting than Bouder or Mearns, although her technique seems to be up to any challenge. I'm having some trouble completely following the narrative of Namouna, though. Can anyone share their understanding of the plot? I gather that it's Fairchild and three women, and that in the end he winds up with the "right" one, but I don't really understand the obstacles, or what's going on with all the subsidiary characters (Ulbricht and his hench-maidens, the yellow-dress girls and the bathing-cap girls).

I'm enjoying Abi Stafford more than I used to. It was interesting seeing her dance side by side with Megan Fairchild. I'd swear Stafford has some way in which her body catches more light than Fairchild does.

Casting up for the second week. I was wondering if there would be any debuts for symphony in c. Tiler Peck in the first movement and Ashly Isaacs in the third. Both to look forward to! Also Jared Angle in the second - it hardly seems possible he hasn't done it before! Also a relief to see Chase Finlay listed again. I was a little worried when he didn't appear in the first week casting. Looking forward to the season!

Wasn't Stearns scheduled with Semiomova for T&V? They've shifted that assignment to Whiteside, leaving Veyette with Gillian Murphy. After seeing numerous stellar performances of T&V at NYCB, and a lackluster ABT version last fall, I didn't plan on attending, but I can't resist the novelty of seeing Veyette at ABT. Can't wait!

Maps - was she a super petite blonde, the shortest person on the stage? If yes, that would be Claire Von Enck.

Thanks for that article. I didn't know about her health problems. That helps me understand her early retirement in a new light. She will be missed.

Ashley Laracey. She is a seasoned professional with artistic maturity. No doubt Lauren Lovette is also on the path to become a principal but she is still so young. I hope they give her another year or two a bit protected before burdening her with the responsibilities of a principal. But I think Laracey is ready now.

I was at the Saturday matinee (Tiler Peck and Andrew Veyette). This isn't my favorite ballet, and definitely not what I go to NYCB to see. I'm I'm glad I saw it once, but I probably wouldn't go again. My favorite part was the Act III soloists... especially Ashly Isaacs. She was luminous and luscious, with a mature quality that I find very appealing. She's not a waif, and I like her physicality. I was sorry to miss her debut as Dewdrop in Nutcracker. If anyone can give a report, however belated, I'd be glad to hear it.

I was at the DAAG/Union Jack program on Thursday night. Lauren Lovette lights up the stage like the sun itself. The section of three men tossing the three women has stayed in my mind for days now, especially the final throw with Lovette spinning fearlessly in the air above Catazaro's head, then being caught securely and swooped so dramatically low.

I was sitting at a distance from the stage and forgot my opera glasses -- this turned out to be a blessing since I was able to focus on overall patterns, rather than zeroing in on my favorite dancers. I should forget the opera glasses more often! However, I didn't get a very clear sense of Ashley Bouder, except to note that she and her regiments (both the Scottish section and WRENS) were totally out of sync with each other -- Bouder was way ahead of her group. The ensemble effect was ruined.

Savannah Lowery doesn't bring enough force to MacDonald of Sleat -- nowhere near Sara Mearns. But, I liked her in the Royal Navy section, which seems to suit her sunny personality.

I saw three performances of Jewels over the past few weeks and have a few random comments.

I saw both Zachary Catazaro and Russell Janzen in their debuts in Diamonds: Catazaro with Sara Mearns and Janzen with Teresa Reichlen.

I thought Catazaro was a good partner and a good dancer and he certainly looks the handsome dancer. My issue with him is that he can be too casual in his manner, you can see the effort and even more, he appears as a regular person rather than a danseur noble. He doesn't always carry himself with the noble bearing, the impenetrable and unflappable stage demeanor that a ballet dancer should have. (See, for example, the brothers Angle who have this down to perfection.)

Russell Janzen has a more noble and gracious air, but he looked a bit nervous and perhaps underprepared to me. The only other time I've seen him in any major role was in his debut as the Cavalier with Ashley Laracey in Nutcracker, and I thought he (both of them!) looked excellent then. Maybe just a few more rehearsals would help.

Mearns, Reichlen, and Maria Kowroski (grand and totally at ease in her special connection with Tyler Angle) were all wonderful. I feel fortunate to be able to see all of them!

Ashley Laracey was absolutely lovely in the pas de trois of Emeralds. She so often grabs attention in soloist or demi-soloist roles (the second movement of Symphony in C comes to mind) that I think it's high time she move on to principal roles. I know I just said NYCB already has three wonderful interpreters of Diamonds, but maybe there's room for a fourth?

I have been to several performances over the past two weeks, all highly enjoyable. Last night was my second viewing of the Dances at a Gathering/Union Jack program, and I totally loved both performances.

Dances at a Gathering was sublime. The ensemble cast of Maria Kowroski, Sara Mearns, Tiler Peck, Brittany Pollack, Megan Fairchild, Antonio Carmena, Joaquin de Luz, Zachary Catazaro, and Joaquin de Luz (I hope I haven't forgotten any!) was perfect. There are so many heart-catching moments. The piece is quiet and seems so humble, then suddenly something beautiful happens and your heart is in your throat.

Union Jack is a blast. The rolling drumbeat and relentless entry of one regiment after another has me rapt. The contrast with the rollicking joy of the Royal Navy section is wonderful. (I could do without the middle section, although Ringer and Ramasar are both very charming comedians, and the pony provided a lot of entertainment by doing his business onstage, then bolting off into the wings before he was supposed to.)

So many of the dancers looked wonderful. Jared Angle is always intelligent, gracious, in good humor, and has a natural connection with the audience. Teresa Reichlen was animated, sweet, and sassy leading the WRENS. Andrew Veyette seemed to enjoy kissing her and looking up and down those legs a little too much! Sean Suozzi is always committed and interesting -- I'd like to see more of him! I could go on and on, but I'll just single out Abi Stafford. For some time I just didn't "get" her at all. I started to enjoy her more this past fall season, and in several performances so far this season she has totally won me over with her charm, humor, and some special piquancy she has.

I look forward to more!

Mearns had phenomenal force in MacDonald of Sleat. I love the whole first tattoo section as well!

As for Emeralds, I wish they would give the "walking solo" role to Ashley Laracey. She conveys a meditative mood so beautifully.

I look forward to any performance reviews! I see several notable debuts coming up: Indiana Woodward as marzipan, Emily Kikta as Coffee, Ashly Isaacs as Dewdrop, and I'm very excited to have a ticket for Ashley Laracey's Sugarplum!

Definitely NYCB. It's magical. I generally don't find the kids in the audience to be overly noisy or rambunctious. The ABT version leaves me flat.