ABT Fan

Jake Roxander has an enticing IG story up showing ABT’s rehearsal sheet. Under Bayadere for the corps it says “variations” with him and Boylston and then “Bocca” for the rehearsal director I believe. 
 

Actually, I’m not clear if the rehearsal is with Boylston- he may be just rehearsing with Bocca alone. Still! 

https://www.instagram.com/jakeroxander?igsh=NW95bGhkd2ExOHB3

2 hours ago, choriamb said:

...and confirmed that they would be performing it next year (in some form, at least) in the comment thread of another Instagram post:  https://www.instagram.com/p/C6kgRxvse8w/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Speaking of freestanding excerpts from a full-lengths:  I've actually been rather surprised to have never seen Nureyev's Raymonda Act III at ABT, as it has a stature of its own as a freestanding work. (I know Kolpakova and McKenzie staged a set of divertissements from Raymonda, but that never really took root in the rep.)

Incredible news! Interesting they’re rehearsing Shades now, but hopefully that means no bobbles come performance time (those developes are nail biting to watch). 

1 hour ago, lunaysol said:

Just got back - overall, a great performance IMO. Prodigal Son was phenomenal - Zechang Liang was fantastic as the prodigal son, Dayesi Torriente wasn't my favorite as the Siren despite having loved the rehearsal videos from the company and her IG. The Dream overall was excellent with a few minor missteps I couldn't help but notice from Nayara Lopes and Arian Molina Soca in the middle of their pas de deux (which tbh was pretty surprising - usually they are extremely steady). Javier Rivet was hilarious as the Ass and I was pleasantly surprised by Nick Patterson's Puck. He hasn't really stood out to me before in any of his roles that I've seen but he was EXTREMELY clean, athletic and musical. But my favorite part may have been a very sweet onstage farewell to Corps member Fernanda Oliveira - Arian and another leading male (couldn't tell who, I think it was Sterling Baca) went over and picked her up on their shoulders and she was presented with a bouquet. It was lovely. I've always been a big fan of her and think she was under-utilized! She is retiring from ballet to continue her education. We will miss her! Very excited however for next season.

Thank you for your thoughts. I wish I could have gotten my act together and made the train trip from NYC to see this program. 

33 minutes ago, matilda said:

I just listened to the episode and heard Jaffe say those programs will be for the 2025 "Koch Season," not the Met. I think full-length ballets will continue to be prioritized at the Met.

Jaffe sounds overall intelligent and empathetic and like she knows what she's doing, even if I'm not necessarily excited about all of her programming choices. Playing the role of AD and ED simultaneously sounds like a nightmare. And the company's financial situation sounds challenging to say the least. 

I would also love to hear more about those "difficult conversations" with dancers 🤔 Some of the principals and soloists are beyond the point of "stepping it up" at this point and would be better off retiring difficult classical roles altogether. 

Thanks for the correction.

I would not want to be her, especially juggling two demanding roles. Some of those dancers need to retire altogether.

22 hours ago, Pepino23 said:

The podcast Conversations on Dance recently had Susan Jaffe on where she talks a little about programming and future performances including the Fall. 
You can listen directly on their website or go to Spotify or Apple Podcast and search Conversations on Dance episode 395. Based on this episode, it seems like she hasnt been able to really put herself 100% into her role. Hopefully with the new Executive Director thing can start moving. 

https://www.conversationsondancepod.com/episodes-transcripts/395-susan-jaffe-american-ballet-theatre 

I really appreciate ABT for what it was and what it could be again. I’m rooting for them to get it together. I think there is a combination of factors going on here including terrible fundraising and marketing. I get harassed (and I actually mean to use that word) multiple times a year from ABT to donate. However it seems like it is just a volunteer who doesn’t know how to professionally navigate someone saying no or how to navigate different options for the potential donor. It really has turned me  off to donating and I have ended up giving to NYCB instead in the past. Get in some boots on the ground who actually know how to appropriately handle givings and donations. Additionally there are some principals who have got to go. And I don’t mean because they can’t do 10 pirouettes. Yeah doing a billion fouette turns is impressive, but that doesn’t carry the whole ballet. I feel like artistry is being lost more and more for tricks. Additionally there are some promotions that I found unnecessary such as Roman Zhurbin. I am eager for the next generation to start leaving more of their mark. As much as I enjoy NYCB, and go to their shows weekly, my true love is for the classics and what ABT used to bring. I’ll be here for it as soon as it is back!

Thank you for flagging this. I always forget to check that podcast for their latest episode.

I think everyone who loves (or loves to hate) ABT should listen to this. One comment I didn't love, or have mixed feelings on, was when Jaffe said that the new contract that was finally agreed upon for the dancers would be very hard on the organization. I feel like that comment could be interpreted a few different ways.

Jaffe spoke at length about repertoire and that she was trying to find ways to bring some classics back without the troublesome narratives for today's audience (that's not verbatim, I don't recall her language but that's the gist of it). So, I'm hopeful she's working on La Bayadere and Le Corsaire. She addressed some of the criticism for LWFC and Woolf Works and why she programmed last Fall as she did. Next year is the company's 85th anniversary, so the Met 2025 season will feature one program that will be like "stepping back into the ABT of 1940's". So, I'm hopeful that will include Tudor, DeMille, maybe Dark Elegies, Les Sylphides, Theme and Variations, and some other classics not seen in years. Please not Fancy Free. Another program will be all Tharp. 

She mentioned having to have some tough conversations with a few dancers who needed to step it up a notch (boy, was my curiosity peaked) and she gave a lengthy shout-out to Sascha Radetsky, AD of the studio company, for his talent sourcing and steadfast leadership. I loved that part. 

28 minutes ago, California said:

I'm glad that Bell will have one performance as Lensky, with Hurlin as Olga. That will be Misseldine's debut as Tatiana. Too bad they'll only have that one performance, when all the other casts have two.

I was surprised with that. Bell should have received two shows, and Ahn one. But, Bell has suffered with injuries in the past so maybe this is for the best.

14 minutes ago, lunaysol said:

(have been lurking for a few months, - this is my first post, hello!) Thank you so much for posting! I am a longtime fan & subscriber to the Philadelphia Ballet and really hoping to see Jake Roxander at ABT some time this summer, as I am a big fan of his brother here in Philly. The date I was eyeing does not have him listed for Woolf Works - I might hold out for casting for R&J or SL to see if one of those dates works for me, even though I was hoping to see a new-to-me production. 

Welcome! If you want to be wowed, catch his Mercutio - casting still to be released. I’m sure his Benno and Lensky will also be incredible. 

1 hour ago, California said:

ABT just sent Friends expanded casting for Onegin and Woolf Works

Thank you! Any chance they also sent you expanded casting for SL and R&J?

41 minutes ago, coffeelover said:

That makes me so happy for Zimmi Coker! 

I am thrilled for her as well!! 

1 hour ago, California said:

Yes - but what an interesting choice of old videos! Was 2018 the last time ABT did Shades? They had been rehearsing it for 2020 but that was cancelled. 

Forsythe was a corps member then. Perhaps a hint to her new artistic director??

https://www.abt.org/people/scout-forsythe/?type=performer

I also wondered if it could be a hint to Jaffe. Yes, 2018 was the last time they did Bayadere - that was Lane’s Nikiya debut. 

4 hours ago, California said:

Zimmi9 just reposted Scout's Story rehearsing Shades! Unfortunately, the stories are only up for 24 hours and links don't work. 

If Jaffe is planning Kingdom of the Shades for Fall, she will win a lot of friends here!

It is possible those are old videos they just decided to post. I’d find it odd to rehearse anything now that isn’t part of the Met season.

R&J is 3 hours long, so unless you’re a night owl and want to eat at 11pm, have dinner before. Do drinks/dessert after. I also love Bar Boulud and Lincoln Restaurant, and yes The Smith is horribly loud. 

1 hour ago, California said:

Way back when, there was speculation that R&J was on the schedule again to provide an appropriate vehicle for a Copeland retirement. Let's hope it doesn't come back in 2025 for that reason!

Geez, I forgot about that. The time for a Copeland retirement has come and gone.

I wish they’d bench Giselle for a few more years. It’s one of my favorites, but they’ve performed it a lot the past several years. We need other ballets. 

I don’t think we should crucify Jaffe yet. I think some are having selective memories- she programmed an excellent Fall season last year that many here commended her on. We’ve also talked at length about the costs of putting on ballets and limited licensing fees, so she probably had no choice but to bring back LWFC this year, which many are unhappy about. I also think she’s trying to walk a fine line between programming the classics that we all want vs modern day sensitivity issues. ABT doing Corsaire and Bayadere in NYC has far bigger implications (good and bad) than Philly Ballet (a regional company) in PA. We don’t know, she may be trying to figure those out. I’m willing to give her another year. I’m also disappointed in Crime and Punishment, but we don’t know what else will be programmed. Give me Don Q or bring back Paquita, Raymonda. Program another great Fall season - I’d be up for Etudes again, add some Tudor, one of the Ratmansky pieces, etc. But if next year it’s C&P plus SL, Giselle, R&J - I’ll  be done!

13 minutes ago, NinaFan said:

I totally agree with everyone about the disappointing programming at ABT. I used to look forward to multiple performances of ballets such as Bayadere, Corsaire, Don Q, Manon, etc. but now we seem to get almost the same rotation of ballets each year, plus a couple of new ballets which seem to have little dancing and way too much story. I still have a subscription but only because they've made it so easy to exchange online. That being said there is so little to exchange into these days. How many KM Swan Lakes can one see year after year?  And I’m not too enamored with the mostly repetitive Koch performances either. 

I’ve only seen Philadelphia Ballet once at the Joyce shortly after Angel became AD so it is time to start going to Philly. Been to KC quite a few times, so Philly seems like a bargain in travel time.  I plan to see at least see Corsaire and La Sylphide/Etudes.

nysusan - The subscription sounds like a great deal!  What are the best options to get from Amtrak to the Academy of Music?  Thank you.

It’s a very quick cab ride!

The only aspect of R&J that I’m looking forward to this year is seeing Roxander as Mercutio again (don’t miss it if you haven’t seen it) - hoping he’s cast with leads I’m not avoiding- and fingers crossed a Curley debut as Tybalt. 

2 hours ago, DPell said:

When does casting for Mercutio and Rothbart usually go up?

Quite late. Closer to the start of the season. I really wish they released that type of casting much sooner.

I’d love reports from anyone who gets to see this!

The rest of the casting is now up for CA:

https://www.abt.org/performances/master-calendar/

12 hours ago, MarzipanShepherdess said:

Shocked and saddened to see Klein stop dancing.   Am I misunderstanding the timing, or did he resign right after being passed over in the March promotions? 

He and his wife developed a skin care co many months ago, see their IGs. They didn’t perform last fall at all so I assume they took a leave to focus on it. I think their retirements just coincided with the contract renewals. 

1 hour ago, DPell said:

I’m sure we’ll get Roxander as Benno and Mercutio at the very least. Lensky casting still has to be posted. As for Curley, he’s bound to do Ballroom Rothbart, and hopefully John Brown again in Water for Chocolate. I’m crossing my fingers for Curley to be cast as Tybalt. For those who have seen Onegin before, how big a role is Gremin?

I’m also crossing my fingers for Curley as Tybalt. And, Lensky. 

Curley is now engaged to corps dancer, Lea Fleytoux:

https://www.instagram.com/p/C5TLgWjAGRL/?igsh=MW1jcnl2Yms4bTliMg==

Trenary has on her IG stories today that she’s also performing Olga in Onegin.

So Misseldine and Roxander are performing at the gala! Misseldine is maybe doing one of the SL pas, but I’m betting Roxander will get Lensky and perform one of those pas at the gala.

3 hours ago, miliosr said:

I can't picture Jarod Curley or Jake Roxander leaving now when the great prize is in sight. Herman Cornejo is over 40 and is winding down in terms of active repertory. Roxander will fill that slot. Thomas Forster, Cory Stearns and James Whiteside are all nearing 40 and the latter two have been plagued by injuries. Curley will fill one of those slots.

I'm more inclined to think that a long-serving corps member like Patrick Frenette (who was passed over in the most recent round of promotions) might consider moving on while he's still in his late-20s.

I agree with all of this too!

I’m hoping that Jaffe and the new ED are hustling to get more performances sorted out, whether in NYC and/or on tour. Hopefully both. 

25 minutes ago, FauxPas said:

Just a note that looking at the corps roster - Jonathan Klein is no longer a member of ABT.  He is off the roster.  A real loss.

So is his wife, Emily Hayes. I’m not surprised since they both started a skin care company a few months ago. Still a loss - I really thought he was a strong contender for soloist but he hasn’t danced with them much lately, most likely due to starting their own business.

18 hours ago, abatt said:

I think Misty is de facto retired even if they still keep her photo up on the website.

Jaffe is allowing too many older dancers to hang around who have little or no value to the company anymore.  I'm referring here to Hoven, Fang and Paris.  

Jaffe's tenure so far has been a big disappointment.  The programming has far too much repetition. 

Chloe is the only soloist who is being given major opportunities.  Park is obviously talented, but is still getting the same old roles.  

16 hours ago, balletlover08 said:

I agree on Misty. I think Gillian is still retiring semi soon but she's still dancing well. She does seem to spend a lot of time understandably with Ethan at ARB so I'm wondering if she might retire soon to join him there full time. 

Paris is retiring after this season (I believe) and I think Fang is on her way out also. Unsure about Hoven but I do think he's dancing less. 

I think Sunmi is getting new roles (perhaps Kitri soon) and she's been casted as the lead in Nutcracker and LWFC but those are probably lesser debuts than Chloe's O/O. I think if there are principal promotions after this met season it's likely only Chloe, if there are none then I could see the next principal promotions being both of them provided they both keep being cast in principal/leading roles. 

I agree that too many older dancers are being allowed to hang on, however, they were already being allowed to hang on when McKenzie was still AD. He should have graciously let a few of them go before he retired (and that was only a little over a year ago). Jaffe let Shayer go. We don't know the circumstances that led to Gorak leaving last year nor Katie Williams retiring this year. How would everyone react if she pulled a "Corrella" and did a slash and burn all at once? The balletomanes and the press would have a field day. And, the company's morale would take a huge hit - I bet a bunch of dancers would leave. But, now that we're basically on year two of Jaffe's reign there needs to be more retirements - Hoven, Paris, Fang. That will also free up much needed space to promote Coker and maybe Frenette.

I disagree about Murphy still dancing well - I've seen enough over the past year. Jaffe may be treading lightly there due to Murphy's stardom/tenure, but it's past time. Same with Copeland (just remove her name already). I also think Stearns needs to retire. He's always injured and when he is it takes him out for a long time. Now that Curley is a soloist they better be prepping him for Siegfried and Romeo as an understudy (if not his own show). We can't have Camargo doing 3 or 4 Romeos like last year.

Regarding Park, she has not been getting the same old roles. She debuted Natalia in On the Dnipro last Fall and debuted Clara in Nutcracker in December. Of course, not on par with Misseldine's O/O, but what is? Again, with Murphy still on the roster that limits opportunities for others. Park could have debuted Juliet this year (or Brandt) but perhaps she will get an Olga in Onegin. I hope they wait another year before promoting Misseldine to principal. It'll no doubt happen (and, I believe it should) but she needs more time in more roles.

Jaffe's programming last Fall was different - bringing back Etudes, Ballet Imperial, Petit Mort was a big deal. Some other repeats, but they don't have enough rehearsal time to do 7-8 new works. We all discussed here on a different thread the reasons why we may have too many repeats at the Met this year (licensing, etc) but whatever the reason I definitely agree that there's not enough variety. I hope Met 2025 will be vastly different.