NinaFan

Ditto!!!!!!!!! I did a double take when I looked at the program. What a let down.

Thanks for checking.

Do you have a link to Gonzalez's story about Simkin? Thanks.

I loved yesterday's matinee. Peck and Gordon were superb in Ballo. So sorry to hear that Tiler was hurt during the performance. I hope she won't be out for long. While the second act was my least favorite of the acts, I still enjoyed both ballets. Both dancer’s really poured their hearts out in Evan’s pdd with some really inventive moves. And Gabriel blew me away in Hallelujah Junction with his high energy and beautiful jumps and height. I always love The Concert and yesterday did not disappoint. Mira was hysterical as well as charming, and Veyette played the role as hilariously as always.

I agree. Nothing compares to seeing a ballet on stage and a live performance should never be compared to video/streaming. It's just not the same. I've even seen video of an actual performance I've seen onstage, and it was not even close to what I saw and felt in the theater. When you are in the audience you can appreciate every little nuance as well as focus on what you want to focus on, as opposed to just seeing the sections that have been presented/filmed.

Agreed. I can't imagine Unity being a big ticket seller either, but I do like her. For the most part, the ballets sell the tickets at NYCB, not the other way round. NYCB has an incredible pool of talent right now and most programs are packed full of world class dancers from corps to principal. I still have my favorite dancers, but I buy most of my NYCB tickets based on programs well before casting is announced. It's the other way round for me at ABT.

I just noticed that the casting sheet for the first week just has Walker, but the casting sheet for week 2 has P. Walker. NYCB must have realized their omission and included the P moving forward.

Wouldn't P. Walker still be Peter Walker? I know a lot of dancers have been retiring, but I don't remember Walker retiring. The updated NYCB roster I received from NYCB about a week ago still includes him.

At least you know you can get your tickets during the priority sales tomorrow. I hope things work out with yahoo mail though. I've had so many issues with my provider dumping mail into a spam folder, so I know how aggravating it is! Anyway, glad things worked out.

I'm a standard subscriber and donor. Yes, like others on here, I have received a number of e-mails reminding me that I should receive another e-mail on July 27 with a link to access priority tickets. I also received a post card in the mail. I have not received that e-mail yet, but I believe it is only needed if ordering online. Maybe contact them again, and make sure your e-mail is correct in their system?

Yes, the program is much too light, and one I'll be skipping unless they add something like a couple of exciting PDDs. And I'd be very pleased to see the PDDs you've mentioned!

I'd recommend Shevchenko. Whichever you choose, I hope you enjoy the performance!

Early 90’sish I remember watching a lovely ABT soloist having a lot of difficulty performing the Italian fouettes at rehearsal. I felt so sorry for her as she was beautiful in everything else. But the role required the Italian fouettes. As is common at rehearsals, the ballet mistress continued to work with the dancer during the break (and likely continued to do so before her actual performance). I saw her debut a day or so after rehearsal and she was terrific. She obviously worked on the Italian fouettes and by the time her performance rolled around she absolutely nailed it. Had she not been able to do the choreography I would have hoped that ABT would not have continued to cast her in the role. There were other ballets where she could (and did) shine. She went on to become a much beloved principal at ABT (now retired). I never felt she was very strong technically, but she was indeed a lovely dancer. (I purposely left her name out so as not to cause issues with any of her fans) Whether it be hops on pointe, fouettes, entrechat sixes, brises, etc, if I don’t see a ballet danced as it supposed to be danced, I feel cheated. Too many changes to simplified choreography weakens the product.

I agree, she is terrific in many roles. I hope she will get any difficulties ironed out in Giselle. She is obviously working very hard. And yes, I too want both technical and artistic excellence. The complete package is what works.

I'm with you. I was reading some of the posts above with regard to acting vs technique with much surprise. Yes, acting is very important, but it is never a substitute for ballet technique. I go to the ballet for ballet and at a company such as ABT, I expect the classics to be danced without major flubs or glaring omissions. It seems like this has been going on for a while. When did such a practice ever become the acceptable norm at ABT? It was always assumed that one could see a ballet danced cleanly and in it’s entirety regardless of cast. The stage is not a rehearsal space.

Good point. Because of his height, Cornjeo's partnering options are limited unless they go below principal level. Loved him with Reyes and Lane. As much as I like Boylston and Cornejo separately, I am not crazy about them together as I find her too tall for him.

Yes, that Lane/Simkin Giselle was positively gorgeous.

Exactly

I agree. Those partnerships seem to be a thing of the past. On top of that, for the most part they don't seem to partner dancers with those of equal technical and artistic ability. What I mean to say is that when they partner one of their best dancers (of which there are too few these days) with a lackluster partner then the overall performance suffers.

Tita's breasts were not exposed when I saw the ballet last week. Her top was pulled off as she melted into Pedro's arms, but you could only see her bare back.

Thanks, impressive works for me!

Yes, Gonzalez is in the corps. I didn't see him in LWFC, but based on your review I am really looking forward to his Mercutio!

Thanks for updating us all. I hope she's okay and that the fall was not serious enough to keep her from dancing in the other ballets.

I attended the Saturday matinee and thoroughly enjoyed the performance. The passion the cast brought to all of their roles was outstanding. Dancing was solid and I particularly enjoyed the frenzy of exciting dance in the campfire scene. Lincoln Center went full out by providing a very enjoyable Mariachi band outdoors (next to the MET) prior to the performance. A very nice touch. Like some others on BA, I felt Act I was a little too long and there could have been more dancing throughout, however on a whole I thought it was done very well. As some others have already mentioned, perhaps Mr. Wheeldon was successful in bringing in some new audiences as I also heard a lot of Spanish being spoken.

Thank you!