ABT Fan

I'm so glad to see Abrera performing this role again, but if only in NY... For what it's worth, according to the Australian Ballet's website, she is the only female guest artist who will be performing Giselle in Sydney, in two out of twenty performances.

Have McRae and Osipova danced together before?

Here is Eric Tamm's: http://www.libertyboardofrealtors.org/NET/Agents/Agent.aspx?id=13787

Forster should have been developed into this role long ago. I'm crossing my fingers that he'll get at least one of the TBA spots in Les Sylphides since he's done the role before.

Absolutely agree. But there are all kinds of interlocking elements in this kind of schedule, and it may be, at this point in the process, the only option they had was the one they took. Maybe. And I'm sure we'll never know the reason why this is playing out this way. But these two casts (Seo/Stearns and Herrera/Whiteside) are all full-time principals who are dancing the entire Met season, not part-timers or guest artists who have other engagements that need to be taken into consideration in regards to scheduling. So in this instance I don't see the difficulty in swapping them out of respect to Herrera.

Absolutely agree.

This may be her choice. She might want to finish in a work she knows well. This is very surprising, but I agree it may have been her choice after performing it in CA last week. She may not feel comfortable in it and wants to give the best farewell performance possible. But, I agree this is an awkward announcement and an even more awkward scheduling choice. Two retirements on the same day? I imagine some of her fans work during the day and will have a hard getting to this now.

I suggest seeing either Murphy or Lane. I'm going to see Lane myself, but if my wallet allows I might see both!

Gillian Murphy posted a charming photo from her debut last night: https://instagram.com/p/z2j2ItHVSV/ May is soooo far away. It's going to be hard to decide which cast to see.

Thanks to everyone for their reviews! Very exciting to read all of this. Please keep them coming.

And, look at this close up of the Silver Fairy's crown posted by Lauren Post: https://instagram.com/p/zyaZ-0s-OU/?modal=true

Marcelo Gomes just posted this close up picture from last night. Much easier to see the costume details. Gorgeous. https://instagram.com/p/z0Idx4iuYa/

Hallberg's spots in Fancy Free are also now TBA's. Seo's partner in SL is now TBA due to the Hallberg switcheroo's. Wonder if they'll try Hammoudi again? He's only scheduled for 2 Purple Von Rothbart's.

From the Times: He will be replaced in some of his 13 scheduled performances by the Mariinsky principal Vladimir Shklyarov, in “Giselle,” and by Leonid Sarafanov, a principal dancer with the Mikhailovsky Ballet, in “La Bayadère” and “The Sleeping Beauty.” It will be Mr. Sarafanov’s debut with Ballet Theater. So, I believe these 2 replacements make the number of guest artists 10 total who will be at the Met. I'm quite speechless.

Bad feet - for those of us not on Facebook what does your hashtag link to? If it's a picture can u post it so we can see it?

There is another Lilac Fairy dress (tutu) shown in an earlier post here just as there are longer more formal outfits for the leads.

Yes, the costumes are certainly beautiful! I especially love the Lilac Fairy's.

Boylston is doing Giselle with Hammoudi at the May 23 matinee. She debuted in that role at the Met season last year with Whiteside. Hopefully, Whiteside recovers from his injury (assuming he is injured) quickly. From my vantage point, ABT seems determined to make Hammoudi into a principal despite his unimpressive turns in principal parts and his recurring injuries (yes I know dancers get injured, but he seems to be out more than others). Though I'm all for giving folks second chances, I haven't seen any development from him. Maybe he's a late bloomer. I agree that ABT needs more tall, strong men as principals. I'm a broken record on this point - why haven't they been giving Forster any opportunities? Talk about tall and strong and he's a gorgeous dancer.

I think Shayer has enormous potential. He really stood out in Clear with his enormous jumps and super plush landings so I'm very happy he's been given Bluebird. I think this could be a break out role for him. Copeland is quite petite. I can't recall if Shayer is much taller but he's not slight of build (like Simkin) so their pairing could work really well although I haven't seen him partner much.

Vipa I think you're right. I looked at the casting again and based on March 6 alone (Shevchenko is 5, Simkin is 6 and Trenary is 7) 6&7 must be Bluebird because Shevchenko is way too tall for Simkin to partner. But then what role is 5?

Casting for Carabosse, Lilac Fairy and the Bluebird PdD in CA is now listed on ABT's site. I can't figure out what role the sixth name is for? Anyone know? Glad to see Trenary and Shayer given soloist roles. But it's a shame how little Part and Lane have been given.

I agree Amour. I saw Martin's version once and have no desire to see it again. His choreography makes no sense and works against the glorious score. Macmillan's version is the ultimate R&J to me.

I'm certainly not Hammoudi's biggest advocate, but I'm wondering why he wasn't cast.

Hallberg has now been replaced by Whiteside in Rodeo during the first week of the Met season. He is still scheduled to dance in Fancy Free during the same time. I expect many more "replacements" for Hallberg to trickle in as we get closer and closer to the season. Whiteside has certainly become MVP #2. Hopefully he won't get injured with the enormous load he's been/will be carrying. Too bad they couldn't have given the Champion Roper to Forster or Royal. I think Royal would be fabulous in it and it would have been a great opportunity.

Denys Nedak has now filled the TBA spot to dance with Herrera on March 6. I was really expecting Bolle to show up. Maybe he wasn't available.