ABT Fan

Reminder: This is starting now!

19 hours ago, nanushka said:

When Misseldine gets her first O/O I will absolutely be there.

Misseldine posted an IG story today showing her Ahn guesting in Korea, and they did the White Swan pas and a pas from Le Corsaire. So she's getting ready.

Cornejo posted this on an IG story. He and Boylston are performing in R&J at the Teatro Colon and they're live streaming the performance on the theater's YouTube channel, tomorrow Sunday, Nov 6 at 5pm Argentina time (that's 3pm EST, after tonight's daylight savings).

I think the live stream is free, but cannot confirm.

https://www.youtube.com/c/teatrocolontv/featured

5 hours ago, stuben said:

Speaking of injuries, did anyone see Bonfiglio or McCune during the Fall Season? I didn't notice any posting that included them and nothing on their social media, especially Bonfiglio since she wasn't in anything I saw during Met Season either but she is still listed on the website. As for Myrtha, I recall Waski did this when she joined Boston Ballet, and if my memory serves me correct she was cast for Met Season before she left, so hopefully she will get her opportunity again as well. IMHO she did quite well during this Met Season alongside Williams, considering per Pointe article of her "marathon season" that she did a full Boston season with a one day break to be at the Met?  As much as I love the SL etc. I do wish new management will bring more new works as I see from Australia etc. Seems Hallberg has some interesting pieces in 2023, also missing him on the stage here :(.

McCune performed in The Seasons as one of the Water Men - I remember noticing him, as well.

I don't see Bonfiglio in any of my programs, so she didn't dance at any of the performances I attended.

1 hour ago, tutu said:

I know it’ll never happen this season, but I’d love to see some debuts from the new generation coming up — Zimmi Coker comes to mind.

I agree. Well, you never know, especially if there are injuries or illnesses. I’d love to see Misseldine get a Myrtha next year. I’m sure she will eventually, and be magnificent, but with the present casting of Teuscher, Hurlin, Williams and probably one for Shevchenko (since she now does Giselle as well) there isn’t really room. 

18 minutes ago, bingham said:

 That makes sense. I never knew of the licensing part. One learns so much in this site. Thanks VH.

I agree. Licensing is never on my radar. Thanks VH, that explains a lot.

No idea what’s taking so long. Keep checking their calendar for updates on casting. Sometimes that is updated before an official statement is sent out.

1 hour ago, Kamicos said:

Ugh…SL, Giselle, R & J again??? I love all of these ballets but something else would really be nice for a change! What about Onegin, Cinderella, Coppelia, Manon, Sylvia, Spartacus, Carmen, Mayerling, A month in the Country, Daphnis and Chloe just to name a few. I guess Like Water for Chocolate is it next spring!

 

I can understand it, though it makes for redundant and unimaginative programming. For one, SL is always a cash cow, and I'm sure they're still trying to make up financially for lost revenue during the shutdown. Plus they have several new principals, esp Brandt and Hurlin, who reportedly did very well in their O/O debuts this past season. Similarly, Giselle boasted several major debuts this year as well, especially for Brandt, so they probably want to capitalize on that again next year. R&J, well I can't imagine the thinking behind that one so soon. It's highly possible we may have one or even two major retirements next year, and these three ballets could provide one last opportunity for those leaving to perform such iconic roles one last time, and for their actual farewell performance.

11 minutes ago, Becki Lee said:

Found a pic of Frankie in the blue dress in Like Water For Chocolate 

 

https://www.culturewhisper.com/amp/dance/the_royal_ballet_like_water_for_chocolate/16668

 

That's the same dress that Trenary is wearing in her IG story, so safe to assume she'll be cast as one of the leads. (Good news, given her pitiful casting this past season.)

Watch Aran Bell’s recent IG story. It shows the shoot today. You can clearly see the costumes for SL, Giselle and R&J. 
 

Also visible in Cassandra Trenary’s IG stories. She’s in a beautiful turquoise dress that’s not from anything I know so perhaps that’s Like Water for Chocolate, the new ballet.

OK, since some of us are dreaming about what Magbitang could do in the future, how about: Basilio, Golden Idol, Mercutio, The Boy, Bluebird, Harlequin, Colas, Ali, Franz, Rose, James.

Further down the line, hopefully other lead principal roles. 

2 hours ago, cobweb said:

Agree with everyone about last night's performance of The Dream. Cassandra Trenary and Daniel Camargo were wonderful. This is only my second time seeing Camargo, but I think I'm in love with him. He's a large guy who effortlessly eats up the stage, with large, lush movements. He fully inhabited Oberon, with an otherworldly intensity. I'm slightly cooler on Elwince Magbitang than others here. Yes, he has the technique and charm for Puck, and was clearly enjoying himself. I think a few years of maturity will give him a deeper presence, and I also thought he has more work to do to pull Puck together seamlessly and make it more about Puck, rather than Elwince having fun. Still, for such a young guy (is he even 20?) in his debut, it was very promising. As a side note, I had not seen Chloe Misseldine before, and having heard so much about her I was on the lookout for her as one of Titania's fairies. Easy to spot! She sure is beautiful. 

 

Camargo has quickly become one of my favorites. I don't know if you saw his Dionysius or his Romeo, but those two roles could not be more different yet he disappeared into each character and was utterly believable.

I agree with your assessment of Magbitang - I'm over the moon about him because I see his raw potential, his technique in spades, and like you ask is he even 20? He joined as an apprentice last November and was promoted to the corps last month. So, he's not only incredibly young but has done so much already in so little time. 

Trenary was absolute heaven as Titania. It's a natural fit for her - lush, expansive, technically brilliant, charming and graceful. She and Camargo had wonderful chemistry and I'd love to see them paired together more. He was an excellent Oberon and I saw none of the excessive grinning that someone else mentioned the other night. Camargo was commanding and conniving, with great footwork and excellent partnering. As I saw in Love and Rage over the summer, he has great dramatic presence. Magbitang was a fleet-footed, flying and mischievous Puck - a fantastic debut! He barely touched the ground. My mind is working overtime imaging all the other roles he'll hopefully have in his future. McBride was funny and endearing as Helena; I've never seen her in a comic role before and she's a natural. Misseldine stands out even in the corps of fairies. I would love for them to bring The Dream back again next year.

The Seasons is still problematic in many places - the dance recital costumes for some of the roles, the busyness, the too short Autumn section. But, as a Ratmansky, it provides great opportunities for corps and new soloists. Curley was a real Prince of Winter - he has better stage presence than some of the principals. He handled the tricky partnering brilliantly and is so gallant. Coker was lovely as Frost. Park did very well as Hail, but she lacked the speed and attack that Hurlin brings to it. McBride as Rose and Li as The Swallow were great together. Seo was quite beautiful as Sprit of the Corn, but she had a bit of difficulty with some of the more difficult parts of the choreography - Boylston was pretty flawless when I saw her in it at the premier. Autumn did not go so well. Ratmansky usually gets the casting right, throwing young and inexperienced dancers who posses great potential into meaty roles where they flourish, but Shealy was out of her depth. She botched the end of a series of difficult turns in her solo, not completing the last one, and she fell when about to go into a turn with Hoven. This is the first soloist role she's been given to my knowledge so maybe just needs more time, but even the parts that went well she lacked polish and authority. 

I'm sad that the Fall season is now over; It's just too short and the Met season is too far away.

This afternoon was a mixed bag.

Children’s Dances by Jessica Lang was ok - I’ve never warmed to her choreography much; she seems to try different ways of doing certain steps or arm positions that don’t really work, it just looks different for the sake of doing something different. The point of this piece was to demonstrate the transition from childhood to adulthood while maintaining a sense of play but I didn’t really pick up on that. But it allowed me to see certain dancers like Robare, who is bursting with natural talent and high energy, he just needs a bit more refinement. Keep an eye on him. Also, Magbitang- who is a future star. Can’t wait to see him as Puck tonight. New soloist Park looked beautiful.

The new piece Lifted was also just ok. I believe all of the mirrors were to convey POC’s desire to see themselves represented in all areas of life. It’s something that I wish was already happening, but this motif was a bit too obvious to have an impact for me. I didn’t like the score at all, it just didn’t work for most of it. It was wonderful to see a black conductor walk out. Royal had some gorgeous moments, and it was nice to see Lall featured. Lawovi is a relatively new corps dancer; he has talent but was straining far too much.

The highlight was Sinfonietta - an embarrassment of riches seeing so many principals at once dancing such gorgeous choreography to a blazing score. And, my first time seeing musicians (trumpets) on each corner of the stage under the boxes. Forster was perfectly cast, having the most beautiful grand jete out of everyone. Shevchenko and Trenary fit this piece like a glove. Bell also in wonderful form. I was surprised but thrilled to see Cornejo as well. But, the ongoing revelation this year was seeing Klein, who more than held his own on stage with so many principals. I’m gonna beat a dead horse and again ask why this man hasn’t been promoted yet?? This ballet ended far too soon.

37 minutes ago, cobweb said:

I'm looking forward to The Dream tonight, along with my first viewing of The Seasons. In preparation for seeing The Dream after several years, and trying to banish the Balanchine version from my mind, last night I watched the DVD that ABT released in 2004. My goodness, Ethan Stiefel was a great dancer, and the young Herman Cornejo was truly unbelievable. With Camargo replacing Stearns tomorrow, I am tempted to go to that performance as well, and to see Cornejo in this role one last (I assume) time. 

Tomorrow is virtually, if not completely, sold out. I looked the other day and only very few seats were left way up top.

NY Times reviews the gala: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/28/arts/dance/american-ballet-theater-gala-christopher-rudd.html

Added: Camargo replaces Stearns again in The Dream tomorrow. This has been a difficult year for Stearns - whether injury or illness, he's missed most of it.

Camargo replaced Stearns in The Dream tonight. Stearns is still listed for Sunday afternoon's performance.

If anyone attends tonight, please share your review.

On 10/21/2022 at 11:15 PM, cobweb said:

I think this was a brilliant selection of dancers. in In the Upper Room, the grounded, buff Martha Graham guys contrast beautifully with the airy ballet guys, making everyone look just great. And I greatly appreciate the introduction to Julian MacKay and Benjamin Freemantle, like @nysusan says above, I would go see these guys in anything. Tharp's oversight significantly tightened up and brought out details we don't usually see, like Cassandra Trenary's repeatedly pushing her hands out to her side, pushing the guys away from her. Finally, like @vipa says above, I urge anyone who can get there to see this show. It is truly special. There was a very limited selection of seats available for tonight, so I busted my budget for a front-row grand tier seat, and oh my. Totally worth it!!!

I am still delirious from today's show - gosh I don't know why they didn't do more than what 4 or 5 shows? They could have done twice as many and it still would have sold out.

Cobweb, I completely agree re a brilliant selection of dancers and how the Graham dancers (and Ailey) contrasted wonderfully with the ballet guys. I am thrilled I finally got to see Lloyd Knight - wow! MacKay and Freemantle - two more wow's!

Daniel Ulbricht is a very special dancer; I've seen him not only at NYCB a few times but at some galas and specific performances, like today. But, in both pieces this afternoon he looked truly at home, tearing up the stage clearly in his "zone". Whether he was paired with Trenary or later with Delgado (fantastic partnering with both), or dancing solo, he was riveting. I have never understood why he's so underutilized at NYCB where he seems to be pigeonholed to the jester type of roles. Today, he was set free and he tore it up. It was something I won't forget.

Trenary was simply gorgeous, divine, sumptuous, exquisite - not enough adjectives to describe her today. I've seen her as one of the stompers at ABT and this was a debut role for her and she was magical. She and Freemantle had an unbelievable chemistry in Sinatra Songs. I would love to see them dance together again.

Villaverde and Memoli (my first time seeing both) were also knock-outs, especially paired in Sinatra.

The entire cast was amazing. I wish I could see it again.

1 hour ago, Kamicos said:

 However, I was a bit confused that Coker did not get  promoted to soloist last go round but now, I have to say I am completely baffled. Think there was a real injustice there! 

Happy to hear that Coker was so amazing in this. I really wanted to see her debut, but I just couldn't do 2 Whipped Cream's. And, agree, it's baffling why she wasn't promoted.

23 hours ago, laurel said:

Among their attendants there were two knockouts:  Chloe Misseldine and Jarod Curley.  As the attendants move about the stage in performance, frequently changing partners, these two more often than not ended up together, and they looked like an unbeatable team, the tallest dancers in the room.  Jarod Curley is ABT’s answer to Daniel Day-Lewis.  With each costume and wig change, he vanishes into his character.  He is tall and blonde, and last night, whirling around the pastry shop, he was unrecognizable as the dancer who performed Mithridates in Of Love and Rage.  I had one of my little fantasy moments at this point, and kept imagining him as Purple Rothbart in Swan Lake, entering the ballroom with Chloe Misseldine as Odile. 

That is a perfect analogy of Curley. When I saw him as a nobleman in R&J over the summer, it was hard to believe this was the same guy who played Mithridates and von Rothbardt just a week or so earlier. Tonight, I could barely keep my eyes off of him and Misseldine - what a perfect pair they will make. Those two have big futures ahead and like you laurel I can also see them paired as Odile and PVR. But, Curley also has the makings of a prince (tall, handsome, beautiful and strong technique) and would be a fantastic Siegfried. I don't think they'll run out of roles for him, he's so versatile. 

I don't love Whipped Cream - like some others, I find some of the choreography frenetic and just too busy, and this music is not very danceable. I also positively can't stand cutesiness, and this ballet flirts with it too frequently. I wish Ratmansky would do away with the twirling wrist embellishments that Princess Tea Flower, Prince Coffee and their attendants frequently do. I think the whipped cream section needs to be re-worked, starting with costumes. They look like ghosts and the choreography doesn't convey the swirling, lush, frothiness of how I'd imagine whipped cream to be.

Brandt and Shevchenko danced well, but they don't hold a candle to Lane and Abrera in this ballet. Both Lane and Abrera had a natural charm and loveliness, with exquisite port de bras, that Brandt and Shevchenko do not possess. Brandt's technique was beautiful and solid, as always, but I'm finding her more and more mannered, almost too well rehearsed - every single hair has it's place, so to speak, leaving no room for spontaneity. Shevchenko was also technically strong, but I don't think this role suits her well; she cannot pull off the goofiness like Abrera could.

Royal was a fantastic Prince Coffee, his effervescent personality in full bloom. Klein was an exceptional Boy, outshined only by Simkin, but that's not a fair comparison. Someone above noted how some of his partnering fell a bit short, and I also saw a few spots that didn't work too well, but as a corps dancer who's had very few opportunities I can cut him some slack until he gets more experience. His solo dancing was big, expressive, crisp and his character was spot on. He should have been promoted in September.

Gorak as Prince Cocoa was a bit off - leaden jumps and he seemed to be just going through the motions.

I am very much looking to next week's mixed rep programs where we'll see more opportunities and some big debuts for the up and comers. The company is bursting with talent and it's so exciting. New principals Camargo, Hurlin and Trenary (though Trenary is not new new); soloist Misseldine, and corps dancers Curley, Coker, Klein, Magbitang and Robare are the ones I'm most eager to see what they do next. Many other dancers to love as well and others whom I'm sure will surprise and rise to the top in no time.

Blair Witch Project is on Prime so I’ll probably watch it. But, only before the sun goes down cause it scares the beejesus out of me. Every time I see a pile of small branches tied up neatly on the curb I think of this movie… *shudder*…
 

The Conjuring is a Halloween fav so that’s also on my list.

1 hour ago, fondoffouettes said:

Wow! He's delightful in this role. I haven't been following the casting very closely -- who does he replace? 

He replaces Roxander once but also Maloney once. And, some of the other casting has been reshuffled too. Granlund originally had one PP, now she has two, replacing Coker at one. Coker and Maloney are still on for Sunday, we’ll see if that stands.

I’m going this weekend and cannot wait! In The Upper Room is one of my fav ballets ever, and can’t wait to see the fabulous dancers - an eclectic group for sure.

On 10/13/2022 at 11:17 AM, California said:

Camargo is still listed for Oberon on Sat evening 10/29 on the ABT site. Did that change? https://www.abt.org/performances/master-calendar/?start=2022-10-20

I haven't seen that change. I'm now wondering if the footage showing corps dancer Robare rehearsing Oberon was as an understudy, and maybe Camargo had to be out for unknown reasons but the rehearsals understandably needed to go on. There was video of Robare even rehearsing in a company run through, so it certainly looked he was stepping in.

53 minutes ago, angelica said:

TBH, I'm not sorry to see Shayer go. There has been a great deal of support for him on BA, but when I saw him dance Mercutio in the Summer I found his dancing extremely sloppy. I thought that he was hired originally because he had a huge jump, but I didn't see that anymore. I'd like to see him find a company where he is valued, but IMHO, ABT isn't it.

I have to agree with you. I was a big supporter of his for a long time - I thought he had a lot of potential, big jumps, promising technique - but his dancing is consistently sloppy and I haven't seen any progress over the years.

I haven't seen any official announcement yet, but if he is going to be just a guest artist with the company going forward (which his IG alludes to), I think this would be the first time I've seen a soloist at ABT become one. He has not performed any lead roles in the classical full lengths and historically guest artists are brought in for those roles (as far as other lead roles in other full lengths he has done Harlequin and The Boy, which he is oddly not dancing in this season). Would the company bring in a guest artist for peasant pas? Or, von Rothbardt? And, I agree with abatt - calling himself a principal guest artist is misleading.

If you check out his IG (I don't follow him but check it out once in awhile) he seems to have a very strong interest in fashion and other artistic mediums. Perhaps he will go that way. But, we'll just have to wait and see what the deal is and what the company says.

4 hours ago, California said:

Not entirely clear from this Instagram that OLAR will be programmed next Met season, but I would assume something by Ratmansky would be included. They do have a big investment in OLAR, which makes it seem likely.

Frenette states that OLAR is returning next Met season.