ABT Fan

Maloney posted this on his IG as well: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cx-9GwtgHzY/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Yes - I fully admit that my less-than-stellar perception of Magbitang is probably diminished by Roxander. He was still very good. And, agree about Carmargo's beautiful lines.

This afternoon was quite flat with an audience that seemed mostly asleep. I didn’t find Ballet Imperial musty looking with the gorgeously elaborate costumes and decor. I found the royal blue curtains bold and fresh. But I understand why this scenery would not appeal to some. Choreographically, it was not my cup of tea. Between the super slow tempo and continuous formal gesturing and posturing, I was expecting Czar Nicholas II to make an entrance. The corps danced well overall but struggled staying in line. Lea Fleytoux stood out for all the right reasons. Shevchenko was regal, but she seemed nervous and tentative. Her dancing was mostly secure but not special. No sparkle. Royal is naturally elegant and his partnering was very solid, but he lacks the clean technique necessary for a white tights ballet. The highlight was absolutely Misseldine as the second ballerina. Crisp, sharp footwork, beautiful use of her head and upper body, sissones that sliced the air with beautifully pointed feet. Energy and stamina to spare. Her two lieutenants Li and Park were perfectly matched as were her two suitors, Han and Frenette (subbing for Sebastian). Frenette especially danced very clean. The Dream was not a dream today. Murphy’s Titania was depressing. No energy, stiff back and upper body, low arabesques, and she fell off pointe repeatedly. I kept thinking of Trenary in this last year, lush and spritely, whom I should have seen today before they switched the casting. Respectfully, it is past time for Murphy to retire. Carmargo’s Oberon was very good. It is too bad we didn’t get to see Bell’s debut. Magbitang’s Puck was very solid with high elevation on his jumps, but at certain points he almost seemed to be marking. And, I saw no progression from his interpretation last year. Hoven's Bottom was also poorly executed, falling off pointe in several sections with a very underwhelming interpretation. I suppose today was bound to be some sort of let down after seeing the extraordinary Roxander the other night, but I still expected better.

Thank you, and thanks to MRR and Rick for your thoughts on Roxander's Puck. No surprises, just wish I could see it! 😩 What is next for him - great question - and agree he needs more roles that require partnering. They're doing Giselle in China in a few weeks where I'm sure he'll reprise the peasant pas a few times. He's only done Harlequin in Nutcracker and he could easily do the Chinese dance which has some partnering. Swan Lake is coming up in February and I hope he'll get a Benno debut. He will need experience in roles such as these, though less glamorous than Etudes and Puck. From there we'll have to see what Jaffe programs for the next Met season. I wonder if she'll dust off more classics or bring back some ballets that we haven't seen in years. Besides the obvious (Basilio, Albrecht - in the future...) I can easily see him in Cinderella, La Fille, even T&V. He's killing everything that's being thrown at him now so I wouldn't be surprised if we see another big debut then.

The suspense is killing me! 😂 How was Roxander’s Puck tonight?

Same! Although I think his debut in Etudes nearly did just that. I really wish I could be there.

Roxander trained at ABTs school for one summer intensive and before joining their Studio Company was part of PA Ballet II. https://www.abt.org/people/jake-roxander/?type=performer I am also beyond thrilled that he’s with ABT. There is no doubt that whenever promotions are announced he’ll be made a soloist. His virtuoso technique is incredible, but his intelligence, charisma and stage presence is astonishing in someone so young and inexperienced (one year in the corps!).

It was Jake Roxander's night tonight! After seeing him over the summer in Giselle peasant pas and as Mercutio, reading everyone's reports from Thursday night and watching the rehearsal clips on IG of him in Etudes, I wondered if he was going to live up to my extremely high expectations. Well, he surpassed them. He exploded onto the stage for his climatic solo in Etudes and blew everyone away. Han did a fine job as the other principal, though he lacked finesse and presence. Hurlin was gorgeous and commanding, although she had a little trouble with her fouettés. But, Roxander was the clear star. He also did extremely well in Piano Concerto, keeping up with Brandt quite well, and I think those two will have an electric partnership. I can easily see them in Don Q and Giselle. I loved Petit Mort so much it ended way too quickly for me, but this was also the first time I've seen it live. Trenary and Cornejo got all of the sultriness and nuances just right, while I thought Seo/Ahn and Misseldine/Stearns struggled and looked a bit too balletic. The corps in Etudes must also be commended - I was impressed and I thought overall they were strong and executed the difficult choreography well. A nice bonus: I was seated directly behind Roxander's parents, younger brother and extended family (they all look alike!) and it was so wonderful to see (and hear!) their excitement!

So marvelous to hear about last night and how amazing Roxander was (not surprising but still….!). I can’t wait to see him and this program tomorrow!

Did anyone go last night on opening night?

Bolden has an IG story showing them celebrating and has already updated his profile to soloist. Congrats to them both! https://instagram.com/dancerdude56?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Nice article in The NY Times on Irina Kolpakova that mentions her coaching soloist Park with Stearns in Ratmansky's Nutcracker. So, we expect to see Park's name on the casting shortly; it would be her debut. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/14/arts/dance/irina-kolpakova-90-american-ballet-theater.html https://www.abt.org/performances/master-calendar/

Curley now replaces Bell as Sergiy in On the Dnipro on October 29. https://www.abt.org/events/on-the-dnipro/

No, we aren’t. I’m sure we all wish Bell well, whatever the reason for him withdrawing. It’s still a disappointment to not see him dance in the Fall season, and that is an indication of how much many of us admire his dancing.

Curley has now replaced Bell in Piano Concerto on the China tour. That doesn't bode well for his Albrecht with Teuscher, and I suspect we'll see the rest of his fall shows (the gala and Dnipro) be substituted as well. I hope he'll be ok.

Geez, I forgot about that. Yeah, poor timing.

Sarah Lane was great in this. But, her last performance of this at ABT was with Gorak, which was shy of a disaster. With Cornejo it was pretty magnificent.

Agree completely! Added: After Stearns/Whiteside, came Bell and then Camargo as season workhorses. Hopefully under Jaffe that over-reliance on one/two male principals will cease. It will take time as new blood is needed first, either from within or hired.

Well, this could explain a lot.

I’m very sorry to hear Bell is out, but I’m thrilled that Curley is the replacement. I hope Bell can make the China tour. Bell only has the gala and Dnipro left. Forster will probably replace him in the later.

Misseldine has some gorgeous footage on her IG stories of her and the company rehearsing Ballet Imperial. She’s partnered by Han and Frenette. https://instagram.com/chloemisseldine?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Thank you, Matilda. I’ve been watching for that. So, given Bell is cast for this tour in Piano Concerto and Giselle, with performances less than a month away, seems he is not injured or sick. And, he’s still cast in Piano Concerto, the gala and On the Dnipro starting next week. So, was he considered a poor fit for Etudes and The Dream after being initially cast? I would find that hard to believe. What gives ABT?

The fall season starts next week (!) and Bell is still listed for Piano Concerto, the gala and On the Dnipro. If he’s injured/sick are his replacements for these ballets still being sorted or was he pulled from Etudes and The Dream for other reasons? (I’m throwing this question out into the universe because I don’t think any of us have seen an official post on any of this. He’s silent on IG. It’s all just odd and frustrating.)

Wow. Huge news for Misseldine! To accommodate, either all O/O’s will only get one show at the Met (Seo or Teuscher usually get two) or they’ll do more than their normal 8 shows. Hopefully when Ferri is in town, she will do some coaching as well.

Sorry, brain fart. Balanchine vs Ashton.