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ABT Fan

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Everything posted by ABT Fan

  1. One of Lane's Instagram stories showed her rehearsing one of the Shades solos.
  2. Yep, prices are high, but I expected that. I’m also not seeing ABT or NYCB for the same reasons as cobweb. Looking forward to this and to being in the gorgeous City Center theatre again!
  3. I agree, but only two intermissions?!
  4. I very much agree with your first two points. I saw this last year and though there were parts that I absolutely loved (the sets, most of the costumes, the crazy/funny characters, exquisite dancing) I decided to pass this year. Despite Abrera's and Gomes' wonderful dancing, their duet was a very long snooze fest that I thought would never end and the music just doesn't work for ballet. The lack of a story line didn't bother me as much, maybe because I knew it would be "fluff" and there was so much going on visually to keep me "occupied". According to Lane's Instagram below, The Boy was supposed to wear a wig originally. Thank goodness that was scraped because he looks like he belongs in a Sia music video (costume aside)!
  5. Oh boy, this brings back memories. Nanushka, sounds like we both grew up close to each other - me, closer to Akron. I knew Cleveland Ballet well (Ohio Ballet even better). I remember Karen Gabay and her husband, Raymond Rodriguez. They were stars. I never saw their Nutcracker (I'll have to watch your video later), but I did see their Swan Lake with Cynthia Gregory. Me and a bunch of my fellow ballet students took a road trip to see it and that was our first experience seeing a full-length and a true prima ballerina live. I was blown away. I know I saw them in other productions (mixed rep, perhaps, but I think Romeo and Juliet too w/ Gabay). There's another Cleveland dancer I'm trying to remember. After she retired, she came to NYC and taught ballet at Steps for several years. She had a "Gillian Murphy" quality about her but her name escapes me.
  6. He "didn't grace those ballets...with his presence". Well, he certainly said what many of us were already saying (or thinking), along with calling him a "guest star". I wonder what "improvements" he's referencing in Bayadere as well?
  7. I used to think Siegfried, but after watching his Tybalt and Espada, I really think he could make an excellent Albrecht. Not that I don't think he could do a great Siegfried, I just think acting-wise Albrecht could be his game-changer. BUT, he'd need to up-the-ante on his stamina to pull off those solos. If he had the proper amount of time to rehearse and got the right coaching, I think he could be really something.
  8. This is so great! Congrats to him! He's really flourished following his retirement from the stage. Can we expect him to join the main company's administration in few/several years? (Beyond being a company teacher...)
  9. Stearns was utterly fantastic as His Friend in The Moor's Pavane years ago. He was paired opposite Zhurbin as The Moor. Their sparing was electric and I was shocked at how good he was. That was the only time I saw him come alive and actually inhabit a character, with real visible emotion. So, he's obviously got it in him. Why can't/doesn't he harness that for everything else that he does? He shouldn't need someone like Zhurbin to play off of. Whiteside is very good in non-story ballets, and at times, even excellent; he can dance, and has very good technique. But, after seeing him with Part in SL a few years ago, and being so utterly bored and disappointed with his interpretation, I vowed never again. I've missed out seeing some women I'd like to see as a result, but I can't come to terms with paying good money for a good seat to see someone I really don't want to see. That said, I do appreciate the fact that they've both been reliable and dependable and are the MVP's for this season. With the male principal situation being that it is that many of us have written about ad nauseum, imagine if even one of them hadn't been around? I don't think that would necessarily have translated into ABT giving Forster or Hoven a chance at a leading role (or maybe it would have if Stearns/Whiteside had gotten injured at the last minute, but then how much rehearsal time would they have had, and they'd still be judged on a less-than-great performance?). Sure, many of us may have preferred that, or even a guest artist, but nevertheless, they've been full-time principals, unlike a few others, and have stepped up to the plate. Lastly, I'm trying to give the AD a slight benefit of the doubt here: Lendorf's continued absence/injury probably took him off guard. He just had knee surgery but maybe he tried other non-invasive procedures first before it became evident that he had to have surgery. McKenzie also expected Hallberg to dance more initially, until one by one his name was taken off of the casting for Bayadere, Whipped Cream, and I forget what else. By that point, it may have been too late to line up any guest artists to fill in for Hallberg and Lendorf (or to prepare Forster/Hoven to take over). And, as much as I wanted to see Cirio given more, and he should have been, he is limited in who he can partner due to his height. So, he could not have done SL with Seo or Murphy, for example, relieving Whiteside. And, I couldn't agree more that I hope they give Forster a leading role in one of the full-lengths next year. I'm still thinking about how good his Espada was. It's time to see if he's capable and we won't know until he's truly tested. He's 32, so it's now or never and I think he deserves a chance. My one complaint about Forster (which I forgot to include in my previous review) is that he raises his shoulders a lot. That's usually due to stamina, so I hope he can work on that.
  10. Overall, yesterday's matinee cast was better than the evening, from the principals down to the corps and purely character roles. However, Murphy was astonishing last night! The technical decline and muscling-through that I saw in her Gamzatti was not evident last night (maybe she was having an off night then?). She did not do the Plisetskaya jumps but it didn't matter. Instead, she did one amazing grand jete followed by a quick series of steps, all done with great speed and flair. From there I'll jump to her incredible and mind-blowing fouettes! She entered the stage with an attitude of "I'm going to show you all how it's done!" and did she ever! She started with doubles alternating with holding the fan above her head and then casually fanning herself. Then she kept her arms in first position doing doubles and singles until she finished with four, or was it five pirouettes? Oh, and she had the tempo sped up for the entirety of them to a lightening speed. The audience went crazy. Other than that, some of her balances were short and wobbly but the beauty of her experience and confidence lets her adjust quickly with no hint of disappointment or loss in grandeur. Technically she was in top form and untouchable. Her characterization, though, is her weak point. She cannot pull off the necessary girlish charm or innocence and her attempts at being funny or coy fell flat. The interactions with her father were not believable. Stearns was bland, as expected. His face held the same expression for 99% of the ballet. He danced well, without excitement or panache, but he did partner Murphy with ease. Shevchenko replaced Teuscher as Mercedes and QofD. She and Royal, as Espada, came charging out like they were on fire! She was technically terrific. Her very first Italian fouette was wobbly and almost got away from her but she regrouped quickly and finished the rest with ease. She was regal, gorgeous, in command, but a few times as Mercedes her face went strangely blank like she was trying to remember the choreography. But, overall she was fantastic. What a Kitri she must be. Royal held the stage with great presence and energy and fine dancing. He needs to channel that same approach for his Purple Von Rothbart. As great as those two were, Abrera and Forster were better in the matinee. Abrera's beauty, glamour and style hold the standard here, and Forster's great comic acting and flair was superior to Royal's. K Williams and Giangeruso were the flower girls and they were beautiful. I think this was the best I've seen of Giangeruso, though her upper body weakness is still an issue. Brandt and McBride were more technically secure, and impressive, at the matinee. Katsnelson, who hasn't had any demi or soloist roles that I'm aware of, was a wonderful and technically pristine Amour. She has gorgeous feet and legs and high split grand jetes. Very cute in this role too. Glad to see she was plucked from the "back row" for this opportunity. Shayer replaced Klein as the lead gypsy and he was again a bravado high-flying character. Agoudine replaced Hammoudi as Gamache but he was not nearly as funny as Ribagorda in the matinee. Forster as Lorenzo was a bit flat, but it's hard to compete with Zhurbin's portrayal. Lyle and Ribagorda were terrific Torreadors. Bell and Shayer showed off some impressive jumps, but they had no Spanish flair. A great double-hitter day.
  11. A few more thoughts between dinner and the 8pm show. As wonderful as Lane was, she does show her nervousness (and she’s spoken about this a lot). It was quite evident in the last act. Her fouettés were terrific, but a few of her balances were very short and a bit precarious. She has control and long balances in her, we see this often, unless her nerves get the best of her. I think she needs to conquer this in order to fulfill her true potential. Our 3 new soloists were dancing as Dream Maidens, and Hurlin had an unusually sullen expression though her dancing was excellent. I wanted to shout “honey, you just got promoted, smile!” Fang was ok, but as before I saw nothing special there. She doesn’t shine, as others have noted. Her promotion befuddles me. McBride is a better candidate for soloist, even though she’s only been with the company three years. Abrera was a gorgeous Merdedes. In certain places her decreasing flexibility was evident, but her charm, wit, and personality make up for it. If only she’d been cast as Kitri five or so years ago. What a lost opportunity. Shayer was a high-flying Lead Gypsy. I felt sad watching him as I think he was robbed of a much-deserved promotion. Salstein retired. They could have made room for him.
  12. Agree with alexL that Lane/Cornejo were magnificent! I was nervous for her before the fouettés, but she knocked those out without any problem! Also agree that the dream sequence was her strongest act. Lane’s acting was spot on throughout and so natural and funny. Her husband, Ribagorda, was Gamache and he’s such an excellent actor. He got lots of laughs as did Zhurbin as Lorenzo. Zhurbin is such an extraordinary dancer-actor in everything he does. Flower girls were Brandt (who did some incredible turns) and McBride (who more than held her own next to Brandt). Frenette was the only Toreador who had style and Spanish flair. A really terrific afternoon! Now, onto Murphy tonight. A double-hitter day.
  13. Second intermission: Lane a dream in the Dream sequence. Held some balances really long; expansive dancing. Hops on pointe were easy, fluid, traveled the entire diagnoal. I was wrong - she's a more natural Kitri than I imagined she’d be (she’s very funny too). Trenary was grand, regal as Queen of the Dryads, though her upper body not as lush as I would have liked. Cornejo, so charming and though he doesn’t have the pyrotechnics like Simkin, his dancing is still amazing. He and Lane have the best partnership at ABT right now; so much chemistry and passion. Cupid was a well-danced, adorable, spritely Richardson.
  14. First intermission: Lane, gorgeous! High exquisite grand jetes, lovely, natural acting. She and Cornejo are so great together!! Her Plisetskaya jumps were not as “split” as some others, but still very good. Forster replaced Hammoudi as Espada, and wow is he “on”! Abrera a fiery Mercedes. She would have made a terrific Kitri years ago.
  15. I'd love to go to DeLuz's farewell, but not being a subscriber or a donor it'll probably be a hard ticket to get.
  16. I agree regarding Fang (though it was nice to see a long-timer being recognized). However, I think it's clear that the AD has given up on Hammoudi. He was only scheduled to dance one lead this year, in SL (but, he became injured and had to be replaced). This despite the fact that he's done Albrecht and Romeo before, many times, but was not cast. Two corps dancers, Ahn and Bell, were given plum lead roles over him. To me, that speaks volumes.
  17. The problem is that only Forster and Hoven (less so Hoven) are even candidates for principal, based on talent/potential, and neither has been given a lead role in any full length (not counting Hoven in the lead in Nutcracker). So, I don't see either of their promotions happening any time soon, not until they're tested in a full-length. Royal was only promoted to soloist last year and is nowhere near ready to be promoted. The rest of the guys, Hammoudi, Gorak, Scott, Zhurbin, aren't contenders for principal at all, IMO. So, how long is Shayer supposed to wait? In the meantime he's carrying a soloist's load. Edited to add: Scout Forsythe posted in the comments section of ABT's Instagram that no men are being promoted this year (she responded someone else's question):
  18. I do feel badly for Waski who was injured for the first half of the Met season, missed her Myrtha debut which was given to Williams. If she hadn't been injured, I wonder if she had been promoted too. (Not wishing it was not Williams; she is very deserving.)
  19. Wow. Congrats to all three but especially thrilled for Hurlin and Williams who have really shined recently. (Nice to see long-timers, Fang and Williams, being recognized again.) But, not Shayer??? That's inexplicable and frankly inexcusable. He's been dancing soloist AND principal roles for a few years now. Salstein retired this year, so he could have taken his "spot". This list must be it, because they always announce men and women together, unless we'll see another promotion in the fall (once in awhile there is a fall promotion). Not surprised that there were no principal promotions - the ladies' rank is full (and Brandt/Trenary aren't ready yet) and none of the guys are ready either.
  20. I recently rec'd another email from ABT with a discount: Receive 50% off children's tickets with the purchase of an adult ticket for the July 4 and July 6 matinee performances. Apparently, no code is needed; it's an automatic discount.
  21. Thank you for this. Your casting suggestions sound devine. With five performances, I imagine they'll have 2 or 3 casts.
  22. I'm not holding my breath that Lendorf will return for the Fall. He just had knee surgery, per his Instagram, and has been absent for months already. I hope he has recovered by then, but not knowing the details of his injury/recovering time, four months to get back on stage may be pushing it so I wouldn't be surprised if we only have 3 male principals to perform in October. That said, it's not like they're doing full-lengths so that will probably work out fine. I would like to see Forster given more opportunities. I've never seen Symphonie Concertante so I don't know what kind of dancers (male and female) it requires, and I've found no video of it on YouTube (not surprising). Though I wish they weren't doing Fancy Free, he'd be great in this so I hope he's given a debut. Bell would also be charming as the shy sailor. I'm sure Shayer/Royal will reprise their leads in Bukovina w/ Boylston/Shevchenko (I didn't care for that piece - it was ho hum). Someone will have to take Ferri's and the Cirio/Simkin role in AfterRite, but even though I didn't see that piece I don't gather that those roles are a "big deal"; maybe I'm wrong. I also want to see a Lane/Cornejo Other Dances and Upper Room, but I'm not exactly giddy with anticipation over this schedule.
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