Kaysta

Wow. Corella is not coming across very well. I'm kind of torn on whether to renew my subscription now. On the one hand, I just want to see good ballet and I enjoyed Don Quixote and these new dancers. But on the other hand, I completely disagree with the harsh way Corella has handled this. It's very sad.

I read somewhere that 6 left last year.

The program at the Joyce is not a typical PAB program though, even for Corella, who has programmed this and next year. Prior to Corella, PAB was a Balanchine company, similar to those listed above (the Joyce repertoire was odd to me). It appears Corella is slowly moving away from the company's Balanchine roots, which has understandably upset some. I'm sad for the dancers who lost their jobs, but I have no idea if what Corella is doing is what is right for the company or not. I guess we'll see by how well they do at selling the new repertoire, which for the first time ever, will have 3 story ballets--Le Corsaire, Nut, and Cinderella, and 3 mixed programs. This is a departure from the PAB of old, where they only did 2 story ballets a year (Nut, and then one additional work). Will the loyal fan base, who loves some of these dancers that have been let go and also loves the Balanchine base, be happy with the new direction? This coming year he still put at least one Balanchine work into each mixed bill, will that be enough to keep those loyal subscribers and donors? Time will tell. While I will greatly miss seeing some of the "old school" dancers perform, I admit I loved Don Quixote, and I really do enjoy most of the new folks brought on. I'm still keeping my subscription, but I just hope Corella knows what he is doing.

I wish a full list of those who are leaving would be posted somewhere. The article mentions Fadeley, Veyette, Brooke Moore and Evelyn Kocak. I'm very bummed over Fadeley, and I'm curious to see what corps members are leaving (hope Alexandra Hughes and Misa Kasamatsu don't leave, they are two of my favorites!) The one bit of happy news besides Baca is Lillian DiPiazza's promotion! And I'm guessing this means Soca will no longer be listed as a guest principal?

Oh, and according to the article, Sterling Baca is coming over as a principal dancer. Hard to be too excited about it right now.

I woke up and read that article and am heartbroken, especially for the loss of Lauren Fadeley, who is moving on to Miami City Ballet as a soloist. I'll admit that I've enjoyed some of the dancers who have been brought on, but this just seems wrong. Feels hard to support this, although I get that it's Corella's company to do with as he pleases. I wonder how Barbara Weisberger would feel to see that the company she built, after Balanchine, has been dismantled into a mini-ABT.

I could definitely be convinced to see some Grigorivich if we get Obratsova dancing the lead. I just don't wan to sit through a bunch of Zakharova. I will also be seeing Russian Seasons at NYCB next year, but I still want to support the mixed bill (and I haven't seen the other two works). It's nice to see Boshoi scheduling the mixed bill in the middle of all those 3 act story ballets.

I know they are repeating Jewels in the fall, but why only four performances? It sells out, so there is a demand to see it. I'd rather see a few more performances of Jewels sprinkled in and less Sleeping Beauty.

I'm excited for The Bright Stream, even thoug it's a repeat. Maybe I'll see the mixed bill and A Hero of Our Time. Think I'll skip all of the Grigorivich.

Thanks, I didn't know that.

I didn't hate it, but my eyes just didn't know where to look. I really liked the last movement. I think I might have more appreciation for it when I see it again. It was my first Balanchine leotard ballet. I think part of the problem was my seats. I was sitting in the third tier far side, and I couldn't see part of the stage. I'm starting to see why folks like the 4th ring center so much, because you can see the patterns of the choreography. Usually, I like to be able to see the dancer's faces, and with ABT story ballets, I probably will still want that, but I think being close up is less important for the abstract ballets. Tried to get tickets for Jewels next Sunday and there isn't much left seat wise. Thankfully this ballet is coming back next fall!

Just got back from Jewels tonight, will write more tomorrow, but I was completely blown away by Rubies. This was my very first time seeing Rubies (I've seen Emeralds and Diamonds performed by other companies), and it was absolutely amazing. I thought Fairchild and Garcia were fantastic. I was disappointed that I didn't get to see Teresa Reichlen in the tall girl role, but Savannah Lowery filled in nicely. I need to see this ballet again soon, so I'm off to see if there are any tickets left for this coming week!

I thought she was beautiful, but obviously nervous. There were some partnering bobbles in the supported turn sequences during the first part, not sure who's fault they were. Her solo was very good (you could tell she was starting to relax) and by the time she got to the coda she was flying. I loved it, but think she'll be better the next time she does it. You could tell she was new to the role.

I hate to say this, because I know this probably makes me unsophisticated, but some of NYCB's repertoire is too modern for me. Call me a blue haired old lady, but I prefer more classical pieces, which is why I loved Tschai PDD but I'm not sure how I feel about the rest of what I saw. Bournonville is not modern, but I've seen it 3 times and have liked it less each time I've seen it. Moves was interesting but I kept getting distracted by hacking coughing audience members. And I think I liked parts of Symphony in 3 movements but I'm not sure. There was so much to look at onstage that my eyes weren't sure where to go. The Stravinsky score was amazing though and I thought the orchestra sounded great. Maybe this is a piece I need to see a few times to get the full impact? I'm looking forward to Jewels tonight.

Excited for a doubleheader of NYCB today! It will be my first time seeing Symphony in 3 movements, Rubies and Tschai PDD, so I'm pretty excited. Plus, today starts 10 weekends of ballet! Yay for spring!

I'm a subscriber and I can only see the fall schedule till October 9th and then the rest of it is blank.

Yes, maybe I will contact them, just so they know how their donors are being spoken to. I didn't get her name, I probably should have asked for it, but I was shocked and what she was saying to me.

ABT is at it again with the pushy calls. They just called me asking for a donation, despite the fact that I already have a membership and give money to them monthly. I told them I couldn't give anymore, and the lady on the other end actually asked me, "why can't you give more?" Seriously, ABT? Because I have bills and a house worth of student loans to pay back.

How awesome!

I don't know if it was at the Met, but Hammoudi danced Swan Lake with Misty in the past. Might have been on tour though?

Me too! She's my favorite. I hate that she gets typecasted into roles. I love her Juliet, and am patiently waiting for a chance to see her Giselle.

I think part of the reason they have not been able to establish "stars" is because they have relied on guest artists for so long to bring in the cash flow. It's a cyclic problem--no "stars" leads to bringing in outside "stars" which then leads to a lack of development of younger dancers who can not develop into a star because they are not given the chance. Hopefully that is a thing of the past, and talented young dancers like Trenary, Brandt, Waski and Lavine can have more opportunities to step into larger roles. You can't have a roster full of home grown stars if you don't actually try to grow them. Which is why I'm thankful for Copeland, because I do believe her fame is helping the company out. Maybe if they are less worried about the dollars, they will take more chances.

Tickets are now on sale to the public. Just got my Winter's Tale Saturday matinee ticket. So happy I'm getting a chance to see this after the snow in DC.

Thanks Birdsall. So Mercedes didn't appear until the 2nd act correct? She did the dance with the castanets? And the street dancer did the dagger dance in the first act? I loved Krysanova and Chudin. I still can't get over the speed of their dancing! It was quite thrilling to watch! Can't wait to see more of this company next year. Looking forward to seeing what will be in the cinema.

So Mercedes and The Street Dancer are two different people in this version?