Kaysta

Thanks everyone for their reports. Congrats to Ratmansky and Ballet Zurich for what sounds like a great premiere. Now I can only hope they (or La Scala) bring this on tour at some point (which sounds like it may be hard given the shear volume of extra people involved), or I'm going to have to plan a trip overseas. Can't go till 2017 though (too many vacations planned already), and I don't know how they arrange their repertoire so I hope I get a chance to see it at some point. Or they can make my life easier and release a DVD! Looking forward to seeing the official reviews come out.

I loved the young man from South Africa. Both his classical (from Fille) and his contemporary pieces were amazing.

Wow, sounds amazing. Enjoy! Can't wait to hear your reports when you have time.

I think that the Five Senses costumes are the worse to me (although I also kind of abhor the Empty Nest, The Monks and the whole look of the Nine Muses). I just don't get using that type of shape for the body (or on the head) for a ballet. But maybe I'm just an old fuddy-duddy. And what is with the weird eyes and hair on the Nine Muses? I just don't get it.

I haven't seen it yet (and won't until the spring) but it's a shame that they went so overboard with the costumes. While I like to look at (some) pretty costumes, and I think they can enhance (certain) productions, they certainly are not worth it if they hinder the movement. You could tell by looking at the cuckoo bird costume that it would hinder Tiler Peck's line. And as much as I disliked the cuckoo bird costume, some of the others shown in the W link looked even worse. But I'm sure Justin Peck will bounce back with future works. Sometimes it takes a few skunks to turn out a masterpiece.

Have fun in Zurich, Natalia! Can't wait for your reviews! I love love love the costuming for the swans! Looks gorgeous.

While in general, I like that they didn't bring in a ton of guest artists, I wouldn't mind Shyklarov (if he has the time) coming back and covering one of those TBA slots!

I'm back home after an awesome weekend in DC. I am super happy I made this trip. Yesterday's performances mark the fourth and fifth time I've seen Ratmansky's Beauty, and I fall in love with it more every time I see it. I've gotten to the point that the wigs no longer bother me! First, I'll start with the lilac fairy, Devon Teuscher, since she danced both in the matinee and the evening performance. I thought she was good, but she had a lot of technical issues with the tricky turn sequence at the end of the lilac variation, so much so that it was noticeable to even those of us with no dance training. Out of all the casts I've seen, the only one to nail that sequence is Abrera (which, by the way, I CAN NOT WAIT TO SEE AS AURORA!). But despite those issues, she did well, and really commanded the stage better this time than in the past. Off topic of Teuscher, I still hate the mullet lilac fairy costume for the second and third acts. I feel like the lilac fairy should be walking in to an 1860's saloon and have a southern accent. The Auroras for the day were Boylston and Lane. Boylston was technically more secure in the first act, and while had a few minor wobbles in the balances, really nailed her rose adagio. I thought her second act vision scene was a bit weaker (with some minor miscues in some turns). Her act 3 was great, especially the duet between her and Gorak. But while overall she was technically more secure (and I did greatly enjoy her performance) she wasn't as believable in the artistry of the character as Sarah Lane was. I already mentioned it above, but last nights performance made me a Sarah Lane convert. I don't care that she fell off pointe in the first balances of the rose adagio. She made me believe she was Aurora. I got goosebumps during her vision scene and act 3 pdd. When she tenderly laid her head on Cornejo's shoulder, it felt believable that they were in love. And oh, Herman Cornejo!!! I don't think there are adjectives to describe him, he was that amazing. Of all the casts I've seen of this ballet, he was the best Prince Desire. His footwork during his variation was so crisp and clean and fast. His acting was always spot on, and he had an awesome connection with Lane. Since I've been going to ABT, I haven't had the chance to see Cornejo in a lot of things, but I'm going to make sure I start seeing more of him while I have the chance. Oh and his red Jack Sparrow jacket was tailored better to him, so it didn't look like he was swimming in it this time! Unfortunately, I have less to say of Gorak's performance, not because he didn't do a fine job, but Cornejo was just that good that I can't remember him as well. Bluebird and Florine--For the early show, it was Simkin and Trenary and they brought the house down. Simkin is so technically awesome and gets such height on his jumps, it's amazing. He really looks like he's flying, which is perfect for Bluebird. Trenary was also a very good Florine, but she was even better in the night performance in the precious jewels (Diamond). For the evening performance, Whiteside filled in for Hoven as Bluebird and Abrera danced Florine. I was impressed with both of them, and I was impressed with the partnering despite the last minute substitution. As far as I know, I don't think Abrera dances with Whiteside all that frequently? The garland waltz was fantastic. There are still alot of people on stage, but it's been tightened and cleaned up and looks really good (especially when you are sitting higher up). Ratmansky really creates some beautiful shapes with both his dancers and the flowers. The kids all did a fantastic job, so congrats to them. Other things I noticed: - Like others, I don't really get Shevchenko. I don't know what it is about her, but I just don't feel much watching her dance. She wasn't as sharp and quick as Trenary as Diamond. She's obviously very talented, just not my cup of tea for some reason. - Courtney Lavine finally got a fairy solo and she was as lovely as we all knew she would be! Please let's see more of her! - Skylar Brandt is awesome as the canary fairy. She's my favorite in that role. Overall, ABT did an outstanding job. The KC was nearly sold out, and they received standing ovations for both performances. I think the company is in very good shape right now. There are so many young dancers that I'm excited about: Trenary, Brandt, Waski, Lavine, Royal, Hurlin, Richardson. And it was so good to see some of these younger folks get opportunties in DC! Last but not least, I totally love Ratmansky. I think that man is a genius and I'm so glad he's based out of ABT. This version of Sleeping Beauty is so touching and full of warmth. (I am in love with the vision scene, especially!) Yes, the style of the dancing is different and it lacks the sky high extensions and acrobatics, but it gains lightning fast footwork, beautiful sweeping arms and warmth! I think the company as a whole is getting used to it, so it's looking so much crisper than it did in the spring. Can't wait for the Met season! Especially STELLA as AURORA!!!!! :)

Tonight, for the first time, I get the Sarah Lane love. In the past, I haven't really been that enthralled by her for some reason, but I'm loving her tonight. Even though she fell off pointe in the beginning of the rose adagio, I thought her act 1 was pretty amazing. She is very believable in the role. And other than Gillian, she is the best at handling those chaine turns on demi-pointe.

Hoven was pulled from matinee as well, what a shame! Hope he gets better soon. Will have a full report later but Isabella Boylston gets better every time I see her. Few tricky areas during vision scene but I thought her Rose adagio was fantastic.

Alina is an amazing Giselle, especially her act 1 (though her act 2 is still pretty fantastic). I hope you enjoy it!

I am so glad I found this topic because I've been wondering about the flowers in Giselle. I've been watching the Royal Ballet Cojocaru/Kobborg performance a lot lately (frankly I'm obsessed with it, I love it so much). Albrecht brings the lilies to Giselles grave, and they look like Easter lilies, which make sense given the whole theme of death/resurrection. But later, after Giselle forgives Albrecht, she gives him smaller white flowers. Are these a different type of lily? I assume they imply forgiveness? If I'm remembering correctly, in the ABT version, Giselle showers Albrecht with flowers?

Made it to DC! Looking forward to double ABT duty tomorrow, especially since I did not get to see Boylston and Lane last year at the Met! Even though I did see Gillian, I'm kind of wishing I got tickets for tonight because my hotel is boring!

Lavine posted on her instagram that she thought it was looking good for her to dance one of the fairies a couple of weeks ago. Hope I get to see her perform, I really think she is quite talented!

I like Teuscher, but I'm a little bummed by this, as I'm seeing the Sat matinee and evening, and I would have preferred to see two different lilacs. Oh well. Looking forward to Saturday. Other than construction, how ow are the roads in and around the Kennedy Center? All plowed up, I assume?

Congrats to Mr. Radetsky!

Aurora's Adventures In The Upper Room I don't know about mine, it sounds like it may not be suited for children.

I'm sorry you got stuck with everything closed, that sounds horrible. But glad you at least got to see the Wednesday performance.

Yeah, Megan Fairchild posted the shows were cancelled about an hour ago on Instagram, so I checked the NYCB website and it still said the show was going on. NYCB should have just cancelled this morning. I'd be more than a little annoyed if I traveled there and found out it was cancelled.

Yup, the emails have been sent out, asking if we want gift certificates, donate to KC, or refunds. I'm sad, but so so so glad that NBOC will be at Lincoln Center Festival this year.

Thanks for the information. I don't really get the waiting until 1 pm, as the Metro has already been shut down for Saturday. I imagine quite a few patrons take public transportation to get there, so they should just officially cancel the Saturday performance already.

Washington Post is predicting up to 2 feet. While I'm bummed that I won't get to see this on Saturday, at least there is a strong chance a refund is heading my way! Plus I bought a whole bunch of old Ulanova and Plisetskaya videos at the Met Opera shop, so at least I'll have entertainment while i'm snowed in!

Oh my goodness, kbarber, you just made my day! I was really bummed about the snow storm but now I can see it closer to home this summer!

Some sketches of Kaplan's Swan Lake costumes were put up on Instagram. Hopefully these links work: https://www.instagram.com/p/BAuna0osUEC/?taken-by=ballettzuerich https://www.instagram.com/p/BAtuzM7MUFM/?taken-by=ballettzuerich

That's the truth. Just look at the home page of the Washington Post from last night. They got an inch of snow/ice last night and the traffic jams were 6 hours long. I lived in VA for four years during residency, that part of the country is not very good at handling winter weather.