NinaFan

Did exchange instructions come with your tickets? I received the exchange instructions with my subscription tickets with the date of 3/15.

Thank you so much for the update on Coll. I've been missing him, and hoping that he's okay.

I get migraines too, and try to move seats when possible. Sometimes it even makes my eyes tear. Those same people have it on their coats making it even worse. It makes it difficult to enjoy a performance.

Agreed, May/June is better than August, but the Koch is not available either as NYCB runs through the end of May.

I would think that ABT would be happy for outstanding corps dancers to return, especially if they are still dancing well and left the company on good terms. While it was a soloist position, Sascha Radetsky also left and returned. I was very pleased when Ribagorda and Radetsky returned, and equally pleased to see Tamm return to ABT.

My first reaction was that he is just retiring the role, however now I'm not so sure what he meant.

canbelto - I just saw your posting about your ankle getting worse. It must be so frustrating to be missing performances etc. I hope the doctor(s) can come up with a plan soon so you can finally get this resolved. Please keep us all posted.

Oooops my mistake, Peck is doing the choreography. While I would have preferred Robbins, Peck works for me as I enjoy most of his work. Yes, and yes.

Good point. I just hope it's not too weird. At least the film with have Robbins choreography.

I agree.

Hopefully he'll hang on for a bit longer as he's still dancing beautifully.

Why do you truly doubt the show will succeed? As far as projecting whether a show which has not premiered yet will have a decent run, it looks like the the advance sales are very high. I already have tickets for the show, but decided to get another set for an earlier date, and I'm having trouble getting anything decent before February. While I agree that there is nothing wrong with the original film (which I love and have watched a million times), what's wrong with having another version with today's dancers? Film and stage are two completely different forms of entertainment. I attend Broadway shows much more frequently than the movies. Also, movies can be seen worldwide, but this show is in NYC. So while they are being done simultaneously, IMO it's unlikely that they'll be competing for an audience. Ramasar has not been holding up and coming men so you should have been seeing them anyway. If the AD deems fit to cast them, then he will. I just saw Preston Chamblee in a principal role a few days ago, and he was gorgeous.

I agree. I'm looking forward to seeing him in West Side Story, but will certainly miss him at NYCB.

I am so sorry to hear about your ankle sprain. I enjoyed reading the reviews of the performances that you did manage to get to this season. Feel better and Get Well Soon!

I haven't noticed any issues with technique. Obviously some dancers have always been better than others, but as a whole the dancers appear to be in top form. I prefer some dancers over others, but don't we all. I keep seeing my least favorite female principal this season, but at least she is mixed in with far superior dancers. As far as outstanding corps members getting a shot at featured roles...let's hope the new leadership gives them ample opportunities. Martins did this all the time with promising corps and apprentices, so I certainly hope the practice continues. My only gripe is that the same rep is being repeated way too much. Starting with this fall season, I see them performing the same program as much as five times in a four week season. In the past, a particular program was never danced more than three times per season. So this may be why you're getting bored, and why the theater is less full this season.

Helene and cobweb - Union Jack is one of my favorite Balanchine ballets as well. Western Symphony and Stars and Stripes also make it to my top tier. cobweb - My very first opera was Rigoletto! My dad had recommended it as a starter opera, so I figured how bad could it be....

I kept thinking the same thing throughout their pdd!

It looks like we could not be on more opposite ends of the spectrum with regard to this ballet. I've always loved the dancing and the pure spectacle of Union Jack. I saw the Saturday matinee and it blew me away as usual. The entire cast was superb and the ballet was danced brilliantly. None of it felt dated to me. It’s all pomp and circumstance with a military tattoo a la Balanchine. These military tattoos still go on today. As far as the Costermonger pdd, it was never meant to be contemporary. It’s a take off on 19th century British music hall period piece humor which Balanchine captured perfectly. But to each his/her own. I can never get enough of this ballet, and hope it’s not too long before they perform it again.

Hi Karen. Sorry, I haven't been on BA and just saw your message. Yes, as you can see from fondoffouettes response that the opera is going to be taking over three weeks from ABT's spring slot starting in 2021. Here's hoping the remaining five weeks are used wisely and they find another venue for an additional three weeks in NY. The Koch seems like the best bet as the stage is big enough to perform full lengths as well as mixed bills.

The ballets mentioned so far sound like a great start. Don Q would be nice as well. Let's hope they make good use of the 2020 season since it's their last eight week season at the MET.

Welcome to Ballet Alert! I only saw two of the programs (B and D), but loved them both. As you say we get so little chance to see the Royal Ballet in the states, so while the choreography took second place to the dancers, I was fine with it. Like you, I was very taken with Sambe and Cuthberson. Balanchine would have had a field day choreographing for her.

I enjoyed Program D yesterday, but agree that the choreography was uneven. That being said, I absolutely loved all four dancers in everything they performed.

Congratulations to Herman and Maria!

Yes, I agree that it sounds like she'll miss the fall season. Hope to see her back in the winter season.

According to the London Times, Marcelino Sambé has just been promoted to principal! London Times I saw yesterday's program B and it was marvelous. Sambé danced a pdd with Cuthbertson and the audience went absolutely crazy. I was so pleased to see so much of Cuthbertson on the program as she totally blew me away. Teuscher/Bell pdd did themselves proud in a new Gemma Bond piece. Can't wait to see my next performance (program D)!