ABT Fan

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.

2 minutes ago, abatt said:

I think Fang should not have been promoted, and they should have given that soloist spot to Shayer - regardless of the fact that they already have a lot of male soloists. 

I don't think either Forster or Hoven are ever going to make it to principal. Although I 'm not a Hammoudi fan, he is the only male soloist who  dances lead roles.  McKenzie has not yet given up on Hammoudi, although he appears to have given up on Gorak.

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.

10 minutes ago, spinning2night said:

Yup. There are 7 male soloists, which would make any corps to soloist promotions illogical for the men. Whereas, the female soloist roster could use a bump. That being said, KM could be waiting to see how he can fill his male principal roster. He likely needs 2 male principals...one to cover Cirio’s departure and anoother to help with Hallberg/Simkin’s split commitments.  I think based on who he can bring in, a current male soloist may be promoted in the fall based on potential opportunity (most likely would be Hoven and/or Forster) to make room for well deserving corps members like Gabe. I hope he stays...I think a promotion *should* be coming in the next year. Might just not be this week...

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):

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.)

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.

1 hour ago, Liza said:

Absolutely beautiful image of Precious Adams being used by ENB to promote their forthcoming Swan Lake: https://www.ballet.org.uk/production/swan-lake/

Wow. That's an incredible photo.

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.

3 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

ABTfan, Symphonie Concertante requires two technically strong female leads who, at one point, perform alternating double pirouettes. Ideally, they are of equal height and tech abilities, mirroring each others’ movements...one to the violin, the other to the viola. When I last saw this ballet during an ABT fall season at City Center, it was with Wiles and Part. Wiles totally outdid Part, for whom I felt a little embarrassed. So ABT should be careful with the pairings; for example, Lane & Trenary should be fantastic, if cast together in this.

If memory serves, the male lead is basically a partner to the ladies in the slow 2nd movement. Elegant and steady...Calvin Royal III?

Thank you for this. Your casting suggestions sound devine. With five performances, I imagine they'll have 2 or 3 casts.

29 minutes ago, vipa said:

Interesting that there are 8 principal women to 4 principal men. Simkin won't be around. No one program attracts me, but maybe casting will help. I wouldn't mind seeing a Lane/Cornejo Other Dances. 

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.

The article profiles Lane and Seo who are making their Kitri debuts this week.

Both of them (esp Lane) also discuss company life now that the onslaught of guest artists has subsided and how that time affected their careers.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/26/arts/dance/abt-don-quixote-sarah-lane-hee-seo.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fdance&action=click&contentCollection=dance&region=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=sectionfront

Happy Other Dances will be performed. But, Fancy Free? I realize it's a centennial celebration, but, it needs to be given a long rest.

I'm very happy for Wiliams too. Hopefully she'll be doing this role on one of the nights I'm going.

ABT has posted a spectacular, and cheeky, video of Simkin rehearsing Basilio. If anyone goes tonight, please report.

Lendorf has posted that he just had knee surgery. He’s been out for months so I’m wondering if he had tried other means of recovery.

32 minutes ago, fondoffouettes said:

These reviews of Murphy make me realize what I’ve missed in other Odettes — palpable tenderness and love toward Siegfried in Act I. 

I didn't see any of that on Monday night.

Granted I had fairly high expectations, given what I've seen of Teuscher previously (though this was the first time seeing her lead a full-length) and what I've been reading about her, but she and the rest of the principal cast fell drastically short.

I apparently never noticed before that she has a very low extension and arabesque and a rather stiff back. Or, the ballet's I've seen her in earlier it didn't matter as much. Most of the iconic O/O poses and symbolic choreography were lost. Unless she's getting over or dealing with an injury (but not that I've read) this aspect of her dancing probably won't improve at this point. I don't favor sky-high extensions, but in SL getting your leg past 90 degrees (and a few of her arabesques barely or didn't even make it to that) is important to the choreography, in my opinion. Her side developpes were also low. At times her arms were quite lovely, but missing the swan elements. Her exiting bourrees in Act II were devoid of any swan-like arms. Her fouettes in Act III were not great. I didn't count how many she did, as the actual number is less important to me, but they were unmusical and she traveled a great deal. Traveling forward in and of itself isn't problematic to me, but after moving forward she then traveled back and then to the side and I was worried she'd lose control. Her working foot moved up and down in her passé and flopped around. She did have some good balances and in other places her technique was solid. Her characterization was fairly flat, but hopefully in time that will improve since this is only her second year in the role. There wasn't enough yearning or feelings of love as Odette, and her Odile lacked evilness and attack (she did have a few glaring eye moments in Act III that were great).

Stearns was predictably bland. He partnered Teuscher well but his dancing was just there, no excitement or passion. 

Royal faired better than Stearns, but he has a long way to go to make his Purple VR what it should be. He didn't dance big enough or command the stage and he had a few issues with his cape. His scissor jumps lacked explosiveness and his balance in releve was brief.

The pas de trois was with K Williams, Hurlin and Hoven. Hoven's jumps were heavy but he partnered the ladies well. Both of the women danced exceptionally, esp Hurlin. The four little swans were excellent: Trenary, Brandt, McBride, Graniero. Graniero started to lose it on the diagonal pas de chats but regrouped quickly. I hope to see more and bigger roles given to McBride who continues to impress and stand out.

I agree with others that Lyle really worked the Spanish dance with flair.

I wish I had gone to Shevchenko's SL instead.

1 hour ago, nanushka said:

Anyone know what Hallberg might be rehearsing for here, which is perhaps why he pulled out of Whipped Cream?

I know there was some speculation that he might be headed to Australia for Sleeping Beauty, but was that ever substantiated?

Edited to add:  This is the only thing I see coming up for him there. Seems early for rehearsals, though.

He's guesting with the Mariinsky in July (info is on his Instagram), which is why I believe he pulled out of WC. 

On June 21, 2018 at 12:14 AM, Inge said:

I love Royal in everything I see him in, but his technique hasn't been looking the strongest these past few weeks (his port de bras is still to die for though, and he does have that 'it' factor). I think the big leading man solos would get the best of him unless he has a technical epiphany. 

I hate to say it, because Royal is one of my favorites, but I agree with you. I was thinking something similar while watching his Rothbart on Monday, though he danced better as Benvolio a week ago. I don't see him conquering the technical feats of Siegfried or Albrecht yet. Though I still adore him and can't wait to see what he does as Espada. He lights up the stage like no other.

7 hours ago, balletlover08 said:

I follow Brandt on instagram, and her latest story today had the caption "When Basillio shows off for kitri" and she was sitting off to the side. It seems like she is at least understudying Kitri? (Does she not have a performance of Kitri?)

In that video, Boylston is sitting in front of the camera with her back to us. She's paired with Simkin in Don Q so I believe that's who she's referring to. Brandt isn't cast as Kitri, but she could always be an understudy.

6 hours ago, aurora said:

No need to worry with Shevchenko or Teuscher

Teuscher is not doing Kitri. But, regarding fouettes in general, given what I saw Teuscher do on Monday night in SL, traveling extensively forward then actually going backwards/sideways while just doing singles at that point (with a sloppy working leg/foot) that nearly got away from her, there's reason to worry about hers too.

11 hours ago, alexL said:

This evening's Pas de trois(Cirio, Lane, Brandt) was way superior to the matinee's(Royal, Giangaruso and Fang). Cirio, Lane and Brandt are over qualified for this.....

What an understatement. At least they can poke fun at their situation:

3 minutes ago, angelica said:

I believe that Shevchenko is destined for greatness. 

I agree. I'm regretting not going yesterday after reading everyone's reports (not surprising she was incredible), but I can't tolerate her partner in this. 

9 hours ago, fondoffouettes said:

This makes me really wonder what happened to his Whipped Cream. In today's matinee, in Act I, right at the end of the Danse de Coupes, he did a huge leap in the air with his legs tucked under him, spun in the air for two revolutions, and landed it beautifully. Is he injured, or what's up?

Re: Klein. I noticed him too on Monday night (haven't felt motivated enough to write about that "meh" performance from the principals). They must have decided he wasn't right for WC because as you and I have noticed, he's dancing fine now. 

58 minutes ago, fondoffouettes said:

Well, short women don't necessarily need to be partnered by short men, but there's definitely going to be shortage of male principals in general, with Bolle seemingly saying goodbye to ABT this season, Lendorf constantly injured and Hallberg dancing a much-reduced load. I don't really see anyone in the soloist rank who is likely to be promoted this year. It would be a real sign of desperation if they promoted Hammoudi. I wonder if ABT's interest in grooming Gorak for principal roles will be renewed. 

No, but the taller male principals are already dancing with the taller women: Abrera, Murphy, Teuscher, Shevchenko, Seo, Boylston (she dances with short and tall men).  As much as many of us complain about Stearns and Whiteside, they're workhorses and can't possibly take on more to partner the shorter ladies, since as you mention the other tall guys are really not available much. I think they've given up on Hammoudi and Gorak, and now have their sights on Royal, Ahn, and Bell, though Ahn/Bell aren't anywhere near principal level yet. McKenzie better spend his summer "break" doing some serious shopping. They have no choice but to bring in some new hires or at least more guest artists to fill the holes.

As Cirio states, he'll get "to dance more roles", and I doubt that ONLY means in a diverse rep, though I'm sure that's part of it. He was probably told that he'll get a principal's load, unlike what McKenzie had him doing. 

I am very happy for him but I will miss him. This is a big loss, and especially for the short females at ABT. Simkin won't be around much (at least not full time) next year when he goes to Berlin, so who is going to dance with Lane, Brandt, Trenary, Copeland besides Cornejo??? Shayer will probably get promoted this year, but I don't see him ready to take on the big roles like Albrecht, Siegfried, etc.

2 hours ago, meunier fan said:

Has it been determined that Cirio WON'T any longer dance with ABT at all?  

Nothing to that effect has been stated, by Cirio or ABT, that anyone has seen yet.

However, I'm going on the assumption (as I think others are too) that since he missed ABT's fall and Nutcracker season (and I think one leg of their January tour) when he was just a guest artist with ENB, we can expect the same if not more of an absence when he becomes a full-fledged company member next season. Maybe he'll still dance full-time at the Met, if he remains with ABT, but either way he won't be with us year round and I see that as a big loss. The male principal roster was already in trouble before this. Who knows, maybe this decision of his is motivated by his desire to be closer to his long-time girlfriend in Norway. But, I imagine we'll hear something official sooner rather than later.

Edited: I see I was typing at the same time others noted that he's leaving per his Instagram. Crap.

12 minutes ago, California said:

According to an e-mail just sent out by English National Ballet, Jeffrey Cirio is joining as Lead Principal. No indication of whether he will continue an affiliation with ABT.

"Joining the Company

Following his recent guest performances with the Company in Song of the Earth, La Sylphide, and Akram Khan’s Giselle, Jeffrey Cirio, currently Principal at American Ballet Theater, joins English National Ballet as Lead Principal."

Oh no!! 

Good for him, though, but even if he still performs with ABT, it will be limited I’m sure. A big loss to them (and us), but, that’s what McKenzie gets for not utilizing a talented principal!