bad feet

I would think that this was more due to the recent bombing in Istanbul and the potential dangers of travel in the area.

Yep thats right, hope they dont cancel Paris.

Is it public knowledge where Luis Ribagorda has gone?

He has moved out of the ballet world and into the real-estate business along with Eric Tam and they both are doing very well.

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?

sorry ABT Fan, can't get it to work on here. It's a picture of the thr cast taking their bow's.

Premier starts in less than 3 hours. It's killing me I am here but not there. I'll be waiting with bated breath for members' reviews.

Well, it's 1:30AM on the West Coast. The premiere performance is over and the gala patrons must be basking in the glow of the after-party. Now we just need the reports and maybe a 'sneaky photo' or two! (Wink)

‪#‎proudtobeapartofABT‬

I didn't see the Copeland/Whiteside twerk, but it must have been good to create all this fuss...

I didn't see the work in question, but I'm pretty sure we've spent more time discussing it than they did performing it!

I think it was all over in a couple of shakes.

Twerking is a young persons thing and is generally regarded as a fun 'in your face' cheeky thing to do and has a global appeal (they hold the world Twerking championship in Jamaica). The fact that most people over the age 30ish find this kind of thing discusting is just another reason why twerking practitioners enjoy themselves.

I think Liam Scarlett's juxtaposition of twerking and contempory ballet was meant to be both humourus and shocking, it stretches the narrative in an unexpected way and thats why he used it. I didn't see the Copeland/Whiteside twerk, but it must have been good to create all this fuss, and I dont think that Misty should be critisised for being a good/bad twerker or Sarah for being a relucted one. Copeland/Whiteside's twerk was obviously more shocking than humourus, Lane/Forster more to the humourus. Liam and Tom Forster were both contempories at the Royal Ballet School and graduated in the same year, they would both understand the more restraint humour, and Liam seemed pleased with the results. Copeland /Whiteside went for the full twerk and Liam was also pleased with that version. It's his call, he is the choreographer and was happy with both cast's, why have a go at the dancers.

I think the dancing and costumes are fine, but the scenery in this Nutcracker is a bit bland and does't add much to the experiance. It looks a little utilaterian and inexpensive.

http://www.timeout.com/newyork/dance/time-out-new-york-exclusive-gemma-bond-and-john-resner-unveil-their-brand-new-dance-film

I know Jared has a lot of enthusiastic fans who always praise him, and he is praiseworthy, but he often gets solo spinning parts, which are central to his section of the dance, and I think he is not the best spinner. The Spring brochure shows him as "Puck", and I can't imagine him in that role. (Besides, I really want to see Herman in that role).

I agree with comments regarding how good Gabe Stone Shayer, Jose Sebastian, and Tom Forster were in "Clear." I was surprised by Forster, since I really did not think he had any presence in the rehearsal for "Sylphides".

I think that it's a bit harsh to make firm or hard judgements on a dancers performance which are based soley on the rehearsal. Rehearsals are for the benefit of the dancers not the audience.

I only know that it starts at 7.30 New York time.

http://www.guggenheim.org/video/american-ballet-theatre-revivals tonight 7.30

Also, James Whiteside has 'extra value' to Kevin over most of his ABT contempories because he has already learned and practised most of the principle roles when he was at Boston. ABT doesn't seem to spend to much of it's resorces on teaching staff.

I think Sacha has deserved a shot.

Congratulations to James tho', I'm sure he will be a great asset to the company.

Also, James Whiteside has 'extra value' to Kevin over most of his ABT contempories because he has already learned and practised most of the principle roles when he was at Boston. ABT doesn't seem to spend to much of it's resorces on teaching staff.

I think Sacha has deserved a shot.

I thought that Cory Stearns was getting two 'Sylphides' and corpsmen Tom Forster and Joe Gorak one each.

Eric Tamm is a six footer isn't he?

The Royal Ballet has been running it's 'Chance to Dance' program for over 20 years, apart from Tyrone Singleton BRB and Shevell Dynot EN I dont think it's made any noticable diffence.

Ballet reflects it's audience. Training black and ethnic kids to be dancers must go in tandem with actively attracting a more diverse audience, otherwise it risks being yet another exercise in political correctness. Talented black kids will spend years in training only to find that they are bypassed by the latest Russian sensations because they are the one that fill the theatres.

Thanks Josette, sounds great hope they get to do it again.

Did anyone get to see Part/Forster??? I heard that it went very smoothly and they made an excellent looking partnership.

The only American principals who are coming to mind during the time frame at issue are McKerrow, Jaffe, Steifel, Hallberg, Wiles, Roberts, Tuttle (briefly). Any Americans I've forgotten?

Cory Stearns

Look out for Leann Underwood, she has been injured but is now back on form and I believe is to dance the Lilac Fairy in one of the coming SB's

What a threesome: Hallberg, Matthews, and Gorak! Could one ask for anything more?

And they're all American. Maybe it's time to close the other thread on ABT's men's crisis?

You make a good point, Jayne, however I have grave reservations about the hiring of James Whiteside. We need one more tall guy, but someone who is more classical, has more elegance, and is more nuanced as an actor than Whiteside. Is there anyone in the corps who could grow into that person? Eric Tamm, perhaps? Then I'd be happy to stop using the phrase "ABT's male principal problem."

How about Tom Forster or Gray Davis or Roman Zurbin?

I would like to see Thomas Forster promoted to soloist asp

I second that! Forster and Joseph Gorak are both so very ready for a promotion. When either of them are onstage my eye is drawn to them so strongly that I have to force myself to look at anyone else.

Me too!

As the poll shows a 60/40 split perhaps we can look forward to some new promotions from within the company.

I would like to see Thomas Forster promoted to soloist asp

Did anyone see this?