ABT Fan

Out of curiosity I just looked at regular ticket availability, and I'm surprised at how many orchestra seats there are for most performances. And, the family circle looks to be about 70-80% open every night. Not good. I wonder if ballet-goers (and Philadelphians) are staying home because of what has happened to the company under Corella. Or, is Le Corsaire just not a draw there.

Just saw this too! I'm very pleased that the 3 new Giselle's, Lane (especially), Murphy and Copeland are the only ones performing in Oman. Also, Simkin gets his debut with Lane and Shevchenko gets her first Myrta. And, Hallberg! Who knows, this could be a result of availability, but I'm still impressed that's it's mostly newbees.

vagansmom, what is this loss you're referencing? I thought something had happened to Tucci but I see nothing posted online about him.

Apparently, my wish has come true. Royal will be doing Espada! ABT's website still says TBA for a few performances so not sure if he'll get more than one shot. Still!

I think Judy Davis would be better suited to Bette Davis. But, the casting I'm most puzzled over is Catherine Zeta-Jones as Olivia de Havilland.

Sarah Lane has posted this little clip of her and Daniil Simkin rehearsing Giselle. There's no dancing, but to me her charm, loveliness, and intelligence are so obvious in the few seconds we see here. I think they'll both be adorable and heartbreaking. Can't wait.

The TBA's for Whipped Cream have been removed and Abrera is again listed for opening night on May 22 as well as a few performances for the second run at the end of June. http://www.abt.org/calendar.aspx?startdate=5/1/2017

I believe you're right. But, since there are now so many TBA's for that role, it looks like they're just going to shuffle casting around (not completely remove Abrera, I certainly hope, but I'm disappointed that she was removed from opening night). But, I don't see why they need to insert TBA's now. Just leave it as is until it's updated. (ABT loves last minute switcheroos anyway...)

ABT has released a photo of Abrera wearing one of the new tutus:

Casting was just announced for the CA premiere. Opening night is Simkin, Abrera, Hallberg and Lane. http://www.abt.org/calendar.aspx?startdate=3/1/2017

Mercedes and Espada are still TBA in DQ on May 16 and 20 (eve). I think Brandt and Paris would be very good as Mercedes (Paris has been given very litle to do since being promoted). I'd LOVE to see Royal get an Espada; he'd be terrific! Forster would also be great.

Thank you Kaysta for your thorough reviews. I look forward to hearing about Teuscher's second performance and especially Royal's debut!

ABT posted on their instagram page that they're streaming a live rehearsal today starting at 11:15am EST. I'm on the site now at 11:27am and it hasn't started yet. It's starting now at 11:31am. McKenzie is explaining the importance of daily class with the dancers in the background...

Hallberg has now been cast in Whipped Cream on May 22. In Onegin opposite Hee Seo on June 21 and June 24. And, in Souvenir on July 3 and 8, and Mozartiana on July 5, 6. Murphy's Giselle on May 27 is still TBA. http://www.abt.org/calendar.aspx?startdate=5/1/2017

Same here. I think I spent many, many hours pouring over her photos in the 80's.

Wow - what a gorgeous costume! Thanks for posting.

ABT has now posted casting for Purple Von Rothbart on their website: http://www.abt.org/calendar.aspx Royal will be making his debut Sunday afternoon alongside Teuscher's debut as O/O, with Gomes as Siegfried.

Yes, same here! Even if I happen to not like the ballet or his partner in which he's cast, I imagine I'll go just to see him especially since it seems he won't be performing in too many things.

Me too! Magnificent!!

Did anyone watch this? I don't get the Hallmark channel but I would have watched if I could (just to see Radetsky).

This review and the above dancer's tributes to Hallberg make me all warm and fuzzy inside.

Boy, this is marvelous news! I really hope the performances go well for Hallberg. Fingers crossed he'll make it to the Met.

Try this one: http://www.nycballet.com/NYCB/media/NYCBMediaLibrary/PDFs/Press/Casting/NYCB-Casting_Nov-25-27-2016_lobby.pdf

Great news about Teuscher with Gomes. I'm glad she's getting a show in DC in prep for her Met debut.

ABT's delay in listing tour casts and the listing of other performances is their norm. I assume for DC and Oman, the delay in releasing casting has to do with figuring out which principal dancers will be available for those tours, as not every principal dancer goes on every tour since many of them have other performing obligations. Maybe some of those dancers' schedules for 2017 haven't been nailed down yet, or they're still trying to iron out conflicts. But, every dancer performs at the Met for obvious reasons. I would think their touring schedule for next year would be finalized by this point, but maybe not, so I'm not sure why no more performances have been listed yet. However, it's customary to see more performances added to their schedule as the months progress, so I'm pretty sure they'll be going to more places besides DC and Oman in the Winter/Spring.