ABT Fan

Royal Ballet has a flock of dancers who know the role and many are in this country as we speak. Of course, this would have to fit into their US touring schedule. Look at all the Juliet's this fall in London:

http://www.roh.org.uk/productions/romeo-and-juliet-by-kenneth-macmillan

I hope that part of the delay is because they want someone who could dance with Gomes.

Nunez is already guesting w/ ABT in Cinderella so maybe it'll be her?

At least ABT is being honest about it now. Wonder how long it'll stay TBA, and even more curious (and dreading) who will be the replacement.

I think Kevin McKenzie hasn't really changed. He's been AD of ABT since 1992. The difference was, for many years, his "system" worked because ABT had a roster of stars, with the occasional guest flown in. That's been his system, and to be honest, that's always been the ABT system (except maybe during the Baryshinikov era). What happened in the last few years though is that his roster of stars has retired (Ananiashvilli, Corella, Ferri, Stiefel, Bocca, now Kent), suffered severe injuries that have limited performance (Cornejo, Hallberg), and his new crop of handpicked favorites haven't developed artistically or technically the way the old-generation of ABT dancers did (Boylston, Seo, Stearns, Simkin). Whether that's due to lack of coaching, lack of rehearsal, or just general weakness is anyone's guess. Also, while Diana Vishneva and Roberto Bolle have proved to be pretty stalwart in their commitment to an ABT season, some of the other guest artists for whatever reason have not proved to be that reliable (Osipova, Vasiliev).

Those are really good points. I'd also add Carreno to that retired roster of stars. McKenzie's only handpicked favorite who is currently a star (and who dances regularly) in my opinion, is Gomes. He's about 35 so we probably won't have him around more than another 10 years max. It's bad enough with the retirements of Kent/Herrera/Reyes, but when Gomes retires and if there aren't major newbee's who have sprung up to take his place (hopefully Gorak will be one; I think he will be), they'll have to rely even more on flying in guests. Hopefully, we'll have another roster of stars someday soon (and not just guests flown in for one or two performances), but it's definitely a dry season right now for I'm sure a whole host of reasons. And, that's happened elsewhere too (NYCB), not just at ABT.

I saw Xiomara and her husband in the lobby at intermission at today's Bayadere matinee. I have to say I was very surprised. After the things she said to the press about her retirement, I never thought I'd see her at any ABT performances again, except maybe Julie's farewell.

It's the management she had a problem with, not the dancers. I got the sense she was quite beloved by her fellow dancers and she returned that sentiment. She would be there to support her former colleagues not McKenzie.

Definitely Wednesday night with Veronika Part.

Wow! I'm so thrilled to read this. She deserves to be a principal at a great company.

The Astaire Awards were held last night. Robbie Fairchild tied with Tony Yazbeck (On the Town), and Christopher Wheeldon tied with Josh Bergasse (On the Town).

http://www.showbiz411.com/2015/06/02/harvey-weinstein-gets-the-astaire-award-we-need-new-voices-on-broadway-we-need-guys-like-me-on-broadway

Thanks for all of these updates. I like Alan Cumming but I wish Neil Patrick Harris was hosting again. His talent and charm will be missed.

I'm totally bummed. I have a June 3 ticket.

OK let's turn the whole season over to Hee Seo and Kochetkova. OK I am over reacting but there seems to be a stunning lack of imagination here on the part of KM.

Couldn't agree more.

Osipova is out of Bayadere:

AmericanBalletTheatr @ABTBallet

June 3 eve/June 6 eve ticketholders: Natalia Osipova is injured and unable to perform this week in "La Bayadère."... fb.me/6Ejj3A

She's been replaced by Kochetkova for both performances.

Fabulous photos! Thanks for posting.

Hopefully Osipova doesn't have to withdraw due to injury. If she does, at least her partner is Gomes and he can partner anyone (heck, they could slap a dress on a giraffe and he could still make it the most seamless and romantic performance). I could see it going to Vishneva. That would be most logical. Or "heck" could freeze over twice in one Met season and they could give it to Lane, making it the second much awaited debut by one of their long time soloists.

One thing that makes me a bit sad about Gorak's rise into principal roles is that we'll probably never see his Bluebird again. His was the most gorgeous I've seen at ABT. I remember vividly how liquid and lovely his legs were in that diagonal at the start of the coda.

I'd also love to see his Bronze Idol again, though that may well happen this year yet at least.

Not necessarily. Whiteside dances Bluebird and he's a principal. So does Simkin but because of his stature he can't lead many big ballets so he's not the best example. But there's still a chance for more Gorak Bluebirds in my opinion.

Lane and Cornejo didn't do this ballet in CA because Herman was still recovering from an injury and did not go on the tour. Whiteside also did not go on the tour due to injury.

I forgot about Cornejo's injury. Hopefully they'll work out their kinks by their second performance.

I know that this is crazy and has nothing to do with money but I wish they'd give it to Sarah Lane. She learned it. Has an amazing look for it. I just don't get why they don't give it to her.

Lane would be a natural and gorgeous Juliet but Mckenzie clearly doesn't like her.

i don't believe Whiteside has performed it yet. I think he pulled out of the CA tour

Yes, this was the first performance for Lane/Cornejo. They should have been given a show in CA when it premiered.

It was on at 9:30am this morning. They were adorable and their awe over the show's success and the attention they're getting was so evident.

Tonight poor Osipova took the NASTIEST fall I have ever seen...and then, after limping a bit she did one of the GRANDEST grand jetes I have ever seen. Divina !! I really hope she is ok.

Oh no. During what section? It sounds like she's ok.

Thank you to everyone who posted the farewell bows. It was nice to see Gorak and Radetsky come out for Reyes since soloists are usually not included. Yeah, what an icy greeting she gave Mckenzie. She was so gracious to everyone else and I loved that she gave them all a flower.

Shocked that no understudy was prepared. With 1 day's notice, they could have flown in an MCB dancer, who performed Raymonda Variations just a few weeks ago, with plenty of preparation.

That's the ABT way. I'm sure this was stressful for her but better they gave her a cram course than import someone else. Kudos to her!

Boos? Really? Despite the circumstances of Reyes' farewell, I don't think boos are appropriate. It's her night. Leave the animosity outside.

Wow! Definitely not appropriate.

I thought he was a dance historian. That's why he always gives so much space to history and so little to critiquing the performance ( as canbelto said). I, too, find that very irritating. I long for the days when Anna Kisselgoff was the NYT critic.

I get the sense that Macauley is sometimes more concerned with making sure readers know how smart he is (and demonstrating how deep his ballet knowledge is) than writing an actual performance review.

Teuscher danced Myrtha during last year's Met season too.

What a lovely and sweet message. Very classy indeed.

I reread AM's review to be sure I didn't give him short shrift in this post. Based on what posters have said who attended Stella's performance, I think he got it right. What he seems to like about Boylston is her buoyant jumps, which others have also praised. But he didn't like her hair. This is not the first time he has criticized a dancer's hair. I'll never forget my shock when in a review several years ago he said that David Hallberg flying through the air, his long blond hair waving, looked like a member of the Hitler Youth.

I thought the dancer he was referring to was Ethan Steifel. Regardless, I too was shocked and almost wrote a letter to the Times to complain. I decided I was too angry to write anything appropriate.

David Hallberg has weighed in. He just tweeted:

Love it!!!!!