Kaysta

That will definitely stink if Lane doesn't get a NY Aurora. I saw her most recent Aurora in DC and I thought that despite a few minor bobbles, she was the best ABT has to offer. I'm too lazy to look, does anyone know if Abrera has a partner for her Memorial Day Lise yet?

I am not going to be able to sleep tonight after what I just saw. I had my mind blown by Mayara Pinero, Angel Corella and the rest of PA Ballet. I know I haven't seen a lot of ballet compared to most of the folks on this board, but I know I saw something special tonight. Mayara Pinero killed it. I'm pretty sure she did quadruple fouettes. She also held what was probably the longest balances I've seen (outside of one horrible rose adagio that shall not be named, where the Aurora ignored her suitors so she could balance). And besides all of her technical viruosity, her chemistry with Diaz was off the charts. She embodied the role of Kitri, and it was thrilling to watch. Etienne Diaz was also quite good. Even though he may have had a few technical bobbles, when he is on the stage, you can't take your eyes off him. They did have a few issues with the one handed lifts (they completed them, but it looked a bit shaky), but other than that they were both stunning. If anyone has free time to get to Philly, please see Mayara Pinero and Etienne Diaz in these roles. Other standouts: I love Lauren Fadeley. She was a stunning Mercedes. She is probably my favorite dancer at PAB, she just lights up the stage. Jermel Johnson was a strong Espada, and did well with the cape. Oksana Maslova was Queen of the Dryads. Not sure where she trained, but she has a very Russian port de bras and beautiful lines. She had a minor issue with her italian fouettes, but she did complete them. Arian Molina Soca and Ana Calderon did gypsy solos and were very good. Last but not least ,bravo to the entire corps, but especially the men of PAB. Very strong dancing! Also, congrats to Angel Corella for the amazing staging, choreography, costumes, and scenery. It is a top tier production, and frankly, it's better than ABT's DQ. I wasn't sure I was too happy with all of his additions and worried that maybe my favorites were getting pushed aside, but the folks he has brought in are extremely talented and a boost to what was already a fantastic company. The entire company was very very strong tonight. In fact, I think I'm going to see more casts this weekend, and skip NYCB in DC.

Happy to still see lots of Balanchine on there for next year. Tschai pas de deux, Tarantella, Square Dance and Western Symphony! Will see Le Corsaire, but with ABT doing Corsaire this spring, I may be a bit pirated out. Have only seen Ratmansky's and Ashton's Cinderella's, so I'm excited about seeing the Stevenson version. I'll watch any choreography to that beautiful haunting Prokofiev score. All in all, a good looking year!

Excited to see Woodward on Saturday in Sylphide, as she is the only one I haven't seen of the three dancing!

More about the upcoming production. http://mobile.philly.com/beta?wss=%2Fphilly%2Fentertainment%2Farts&id=370211741

I wasn't claiming that it was a major factor for most experts (and trust me, I know there are plenty on this board), but it was something that was mentioned in above posts as being noticed. I'm simply saying that the one good thing about seeing a production for the very first time is that I'm easily pleased. I don't notice a lot of the minor technical miscues and I don't feel sad over things being omitted in restagings because I don't know they exist yet. And with companies like the Mariinsky, I'm not too bummed over casting, as I've never seen the majority of these dancers live anyway. I fully enjoyed my newbie naivete for my first Raymonda experience. It might not be as wonderful next time, because I will have something to compare it to.

I woke up this morning wanting to see this again, but unforunately there are only a few seats left and they aren't very good. So instead I'm going to stay home and watch the Kolpakova video, finally. Would have liked to have seen Skorik, since she also garners such mixed reviews.

Angel Corella is choreographing/staging Don Quixote and it opens Thursday night with Mayara Pinero and Etienne Diaz as Kitri and Basilio. Hope these links work! Casting: https://www.paballet.org/sites/default/files/general/DON%20QUIXOTE%20CASTING%20b.pdf Website: http://donq.paballet.org/ Story about the opening leads (who are actually a couple in real life!) http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/20160228_Love_and_trouble__Two_dancers__voyage_from_Cuba_to_Philly_st.html I have tickets for opening night, and I'm thinking about adding on Saturday night if I can back to Philly from DC (NYCB) in time. Actually, it runs 3/3 to 3/13, sorry about the typo in the heading

She nailed them today. Perfection.

I feel happy. I saw my first live Raymonda today, and my first Mariinsky performance! I've watched snippets of this ballet on YouTube (and have bought 2 videos, but have yet to watch them), so this was my first live viewing, and I LOVED it! The good thing about being a ballet newb, is that I don't have older versions in my head, so I'm not let down when they omit things (like the white lady). I loved everything about this ballet..the dancing (so beautiful), the costumes, the sets, the lighting (especially in the dream sequence). I thought Kolegova was lovely. I was worried I was going to find her cold, after reading others comments, but I thought she was quite warm on stage. She has a lovely port de bras and beautiful arching back (a quality I admired in all of the Mariinsky ladies!) As Natalia stated above, she owned her act 3 solo. It was beautiful and regal and I was mesmerized. I thought Ivanchenko was a good partner. His solo was ok, but he doesn't seem to finish his movements very well. As it was my first time seeing the Mariinsky, it was my first time seeing Shapran, whom I know garners mixed reviews. I thought she was lovely. I wish I could have stayed to see the night performance, but I was too tired and didn't want to drive 3 hours back to Philly so late. Sorry I didn't get a chance to come out and meet folks by the Kennedy head, my fiance was grouchy and was in kind of an antisocial mood today.

FYI, I am not a subscriber. I believe it was a member's benefit (two free dress rehearsal passes). Based off of all the wonderful reviews of Kondaurova, I'm wondering if I should stay for Saturday night's performance. Just not sure I want to make the 3 hour trek back to Philly at 10 pm though (although at least I wouldn't hit much traffic on 95)

ABT did have a rehearsal open for SB week. Not sure if it was open to the entire public, or just to ABT members, but I was emailed an invitation (I am a member).

Mariinsky DC week is finally here!

Any La Scala fans know how often they repeat their repertoire? I can't get overseas until 2017, and I really want to see this.

I don't know the answer to that, but even if they do tour, would this even be possible to bring on tour given all of the students/extras needed for the cast? And I agree, that hug is so emotional.

Exactly. I don't mind waiting for them seat the traditional subscribers first. But as someone who sees at least 10 performances, I should have the option to subscribe and pick my own seat before tickets go on sale to the public and before dynamic pricing starts.

I agree, and I told that to the ABT telemarketers when they tried to convince me to subscribe. I am very very picky about what seat I sit in, so I like to see what is available and pick online. NYCB allows this with their choose your own subscriptions, so I don't understand why ABT can't do the same. I suppose I could call to get my seats, and I may end up doing that, but I'm not a phone person. I much prefer online.

Stella still has open Fille spots. Maybe that could be a potential Hallberg landing spot if he's ready?

First week of March. I wish Tschai #2 was being done on the weekend instead of during the week. I don't think I can get down to the KC during the week.

Thanks for posting this vipa! I've only watched a quarter of it (looking forward to watching the rest of it today) but I can see why Ms. Verdy was so well loved. She just radiates warmth and passion. Lauren Fadeley, a principal dancer with PA Ballet who went to Indiana University after SAB/NYCB, also wrote a touching tribute to Verdy on her Instagram. I wish I could have seen Verdy perform. My condolences to her many fans and those who knew and loved her.

Happy to see Trenary with an Aurora in Detroit, wish I could get out there to see it.

I agree with everything you wrote. For some reason, I just wasn't in to La Sylphide yesterday. I enjoyed Peck and Troy Schumacher (Gurn) but the rest of it was just ok. I was also disappointed in Veyette, but I've only seen two other people in the James role so I wasn't sure if I was just in a bad mood (because that was the first time I wasn't really enjoying myself at NYCB) But then Tschai #2 started and I was happy I trekked out into the cold. It was the highlight of the month for me. So beautiful. I thought Sara Mearns was a whirlwhind of energy on stage. She danced with such passion and really threw herself into the role. Obviously since I have never seen this ballet before, I've never seen Reichlen in this part so I have nothing to compare Mearns to, but I was mesmerized by her. I almost am thinking about braving the cold and the travel again just to see it again. I'm sad they are bringing Bournonville divertissements to DC instead of this ballet. I've spent most of my ballet going at ABT with story ballets, but I really need to spend more time at NYCB. Happy Valentine's day!

I don't have much to say today, except I love Tschai piano concerto #2. I had never seen this ballet before, and it blew me away. Love, love, love this ballet. I didn't want it to end.

Excited for my first winter trip to NYCB today! Missed the last three weeks because of snow, ABT in DC and a baby shower. Excited to see Tschai Piano Concerto today!

congrats to both of your daughters vagansmom and nicolc! !