Kaysta

This is my first time seeing the Bolshoi, and wow do they dance with incredible speed. Loved the first act.

I wish I could have seen Trenary's performance. I don't think I'll be able to get off work for the Wednesday matinee, so I'll miss it at the Met as well. I take it that her Rose Adagio was solid? This makes me so happy to hear the younger dancers are stepping up and delivering, when given the chance. I'm so happy to see ABT actually trying to build from within, so they don't have to rely on the "rent-a-Russian" option to make it through the season. (Note, I am not bashing any Russian dancers, I think the guests they bring in are stunning dancers, I just want to see those limited roles go to ABT dancers, to build within the company).

I'm watching this version right now, and Nureyev's makeup definitely stands out! Not sure what is coming my way regarding the ending, but I think i'm in for an interesting afternoon.

So Misty's R&J is almost sold out, already. Only back row side box seats and family circle left. Crazy. I think I might have Misty to thank for the lack of guest artists. She is bringing in the cash for ABT.

Agreed. I commute in and out of Philly everyday, so I think I have a better chance of getting in an accident on the Schuylkill then I do getting harmed in a terrorist attack. And unfortunately, I don't forsee the world becoming a safer place anytime soon, so I'm not going to change any travel plans. That being said, I certainly don't fault others if they don't want to travel right now.

Just ordered my tickets for the season. I'm glad I waited, because when I looked on Sunday, it said most of the Grand Tier front row box seats were sold out for the Saturday matinees, but today they were open. Weird. Got orchestra tickets for Copeland's R&J. That one is selling fast, not much left in the orchestra.

I don't know how I missed this video in this thread, but I think this may be my favorite Rose Adagio ever. Stunningly beautiful!

This is too early for me to answer, because I saw my first ballet in 2013. But the moment I knew I was hooked was the first time I saw the snow scene in Balanchine's Nutcracker. It was one of the most beautiful things I had ever seen.

getting ready to get my tickets on Sunday. I'm taking my mom to her first ever ballet and she wants to see Romeo and Juliet. It seems the Saturday matinee is the only agreeable time, so it looks like I'll be seeing the Copeland cast. Which I don't mind seeing Misty, and I like Simkin, I just can't imagine them dancing together. Is Misty that short? I don't know why they don't put Lane and Simkin together, seems more of a match, physically.

I wonder what happened to Gorodiiski? He isn't on the roster. Begrudgingly, I must admit I've been pretty impressed with Corella's new dancers. Pinero and Diaz are technical wunderkinds. And I think I could greatly enjoy Maslova depending on which roles she is cast in. Soca has also been impressive. I do still hope for a DiPiazza promotion, though. She is beautiful in the Balanchine rep and has proven (with Swan Lake and Kitri) that she can handle the story ballet roles as well.

These thoughts are why I pick single seats out online the day the box office opens. Good seats are always available. I subscribe at NYCB, because they have subscriber friendly benefits, but I will never subscribe to ABT until they change their antiquated policies.

I've never seen any of these works. Not sure if I'm going to make it, depends on what is going on with NYCB that weekend. If anyone goes, I'd love to hear reports!

Thanks for the link! They should both be proud, they were great!! For those who can't get out to see this, here is a short trailer from PAB's Facebook page. Shows Mayara Pinero's fouettés at the end! https://www.facebook.com/pennsylvaniaballet/posts/10153442957945382

Hopefully we will get the full Mariinsky crew next year, instead of half in NYC, half in DC. And hopefully Somova comes on this tour, as I'd like the chance to finally see her live.

Tonight was the cast of the young 'uns! Kitri--Kathryn Manger -apprentice Basilio-- Peter Weil -apprentice Mercedes-- Marjorie Feiring - apprentice Espada-- Harrison Monaco -2nd year corps member One of the things I'm loving about Corella's casting, is that he hasn't gone down the ABT/Kevin McKenzie casting policy of not giving the younger dancers a shot at dancing leading roles and gaining experience. And I can say one thing for sure, PAB's future is bright! Again tonight, the corps was so very crisp and clean. And I can see a difference in the corps men of PAB especially, who have been impressive during this run of DQ. Now onto our young leads. First of all, it was nice seeing an actual young couple play Kitri and Basilio (they actually looked the right age to be teenagers in love). Both danced well, and had moments where they sparkled on stage. There were a few minor partnering bobbles, most noticeable in the supported turns, but from where I was sitting, the lifts looked great. And the two of them had great chemistry together. Weil looks impressive, with nice controlled turns and beautiful jumps. He has very long legs and strong shoulders, so he just looks impressive on stage. I think he has quite a future ahead of him, and I look forward to watching his growth as he gets more experience.. Manger also did a fine job, though not as technically impressive as Pinero. She didn't hold her balances for more than a second, but handled 32 single fouettes with only a bit of traveling. Her solos were stunning though, and she has a lovely grand jete. Other notes: Diaz did the gypsy solo and I love him more every time I see him. I think he has become my new favorite male dancer at PAB. His dancing is full of electricity, and when he's on the stage, I literally can't look at anyone else. I am so excited to watch his career develop! Marjorie Feiring was a wonderful Mercedes. She appears to be very technically strong, and will also only get better with experience. Oksana Maslova was Queen of the Dryads again. I feel the same way about her that I felt on opening night. Beautiful Russian lines and upper body; a bit shaky with the italian fouettes. I'd love to see what her Act 2 Giselle looks like. This was my last DQ of the run, as I'm traveling to the west coast for work on Saturday. Pretty bummed that I can't see Diaz and Pinero again, because as much as I enjoyed the last two casts I've seen, their performance is burned into my memory.

I might be the only one, but I'm excited about this. I've never seen it.

Wow! Didn't see this one coming. I thought she was working with the JKO school. Congratulations to Julie and her husband.

Agree with sandik! Please post, I appreciate having others who love PAB come and chat. I have no technical knowledge either, just love to watch! I was actually thinking about getting tickets for Manger/Weil on Wednesday night, because I think it's awesome that two apprentices are given such a great opportunity. Plus, after seeing Manger dance Amor, I can tell she is fantastic.

Thanks for letting us know. I have greatly enjoyed his performances in the past! And even though this performance wasn't as technically awesome as Jermel's, it is fun watching him dance with his wife. He has given a lot to PAB over the years, and I'm happy to hear he is staying on to help with the future generation.

Completely agree about Francis Veyette, even though I feel guilty saying it. His Espada paled in comparison to Johnson's. Plus, with all of the young talent coming up the ranks, he might be nearing the end. He directs PAB II though, so that could keep him involved with the company. And his wife, Lauren Fadeley, is still at the top of her game technically. What did you think of Wasserman, California?

But thank goodness for Sterling Hyltin, saving the day with her lovely Sylph portrayal. I didn't get to see Woodward (because I stayed in Philly for DQ), but I liked Hyltin's portrayal better than Peck's. This seems like a taylor made role for Hyltin, with her lovely lyrical style and beautiful port de bras. I thought she was beautiful. Veyette and Ulbright were very good as well.

Outside of Tess Reichlen and the tarantella, I just can't get into Bournonville Divertissements. I thought it was kind of sloppy today. I really wish Tschai Piano #2 opened.

I saw yesterday's matinee performance with Ana Calderon and Craig Wasserman. Both were very good. I didn't realize Ana Calderon was with Zurich Ballet and Houston Ballet before coming to PAB. Explains why she already looks so polished on stage. Her Kitri was very good. She didn't have some of the technical wow moments as Pinero (though her fouettes were very good!), but she has great musicality and her acting was fantastic. I was watching her even when she wasn't the focal point, and she was always in character (and her characterization of Kitri was funny!). Plus, I thought her act 2 dulcinea was actually better than Pinero's, as she actually danced quite softer and wasn't as fiery like her Kitri. Wasserman has the most beautiful pirouettes. He doesn't quite get the height of Diaz in his jumps, but he's more controlled. I agree with California in that Diaz is AMAZING, but sometimes he pushes too hard and you can tell he's trying to make the jumps/turns higher. Wasserman is very controlled, and is quite beautiful to watch. He handled the one arm lifts better than opening night as well. I didn't mention her on Thursday, but Kathryn Manger (who is only an apprentice, and danced Amor for the matinee and Kitri for the evening performance) is a little fireball to watch. She's so tiny on stage, but she fills the stage. I thought her Amor was fantastic both times I've seen her. I was supposed to go last night and today, but I think I'm DQ'd out for the week and am going to head to the Kennedy Center today instead. I may pick up tickets for the Friday performance to see if I can see Diaz and Pinero again, because as much as I enjoyed yesterday's matinee performance, I fear that I'll just keep comparing it to opening night when I was so wowed.

Glad you enjoyed it, California, and thanks for your review! I wanted to see Soca (because I loved his gypsy solo), but I needed a break. I have tickets for both performances today and tomorrow (as I especially want to see Lillian DiPiazza). I'm not sure anyone will be able to top the opening cast, though. I've not seen the Bolshoi DQ, only ABT, Royal Ballet and Dutch National, and I definitely enjoyed this version the best.

From Vanity Fair, on DQ http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2016/03/pennsylvania-ballet-don-quixote