Kaysta

Alright, thanks. Guess I'll just buy the first day single tickets go on sale again.

Does ABT do a choose your own subscription like NYCB? In the past, I've never subscribed and only ordered single tickets so I could pick out my seat, but it would be nice to have the ability to exchange, should it become Hee Seo Ballet Theatre again this year (even though I really do like Seo in some things!) Right now, they are only offering by day, but it would be easier if I could just pick and choose the casts I'd like to see instead of exchanging a bunch of performances.

Thanks, everyone for the advice. Can't wait to see it. And after looking at the casting, I realized I'll get to see Cote perform on Saturday night! Thanks! Once I figure out my itinerary, I'll give you a PM! Right now, I'm thinking I'll attend both performances on the 5th of December.

Thanks so much, mom2! I've driven to Lincoln Center in NYC, and drive around Philly all the time, so I think I just need a boost of confidence. I'm still going to be nervous (have to use metric system, haha!) but it seems like it is relatively straight forward. I'll make sure I give myself lots of time for construction issues.

I've decided to drive into Toronto (from Philly) for the weekend of December 5th to catch a couple of performances of Ratmansky's R&J. I'm a little nervous about driving in Toronto. Any locals have any advice? How easy is it to get to Four Seasons Center (I'm planning on staying at the Sheraton Centre and will leave my car there). Super excited for my first trip to Canada, hoping no snow storms to ruin my trip!

I wanted to come up to see today's performance but all of the places I liked to sit were sold out (except the fourth ring, which I least prefer as I like to see faces), so I hiked down to DC instead to see the Suzanne Farrell ballet at the Kennedy Center. Im disappointed to miss The Green Table, as I've never seen it. Guess I need to get my tickets earlier next time, since I'm so picky.

Was there this afternoon and completely agree with you. I thought Walpurgisnacht was beautifully danced. Was less impressed with the PDD from Midsummer, thought the two dancers lacked chemistry. I loved the scene d'amour from Bejart's R&J. I only have seen McMillians and Ratmansky's R&J (danced to Prokofiev) so this was a new experience for me. I loved the moonlight backdrop and thought the couple danced with passion. It was quite beautiful. Emeralds was ok/nice. Overall, it was an enjoyable trip south for my first time seeing this company. Sad I missed Heather Ogden perform.

Also makes me wonder how much say Rachel Moore had in the guest artist policy? We all remember that infamous YouTube video about the "star strategy."

Not trying to be argumentative, but I don't think they'll ever get to be world class artists unless they are given the opportunity to excel on their home stage. And I don't think there are a lot of opportunities for the home team. Several of the dancers (including some of the recent retirees) have complained that it's hard to hone their artistry when only given one O/O a year. Again, I'm thrilled with the lack of guest artists. I wish that more of the younger folks were cast, such as Brandt as Lise. But compared to previous seasons, I'm really ecstatic (I also love the Ratmansky stuff, DeCoster, and can't wait to see the Golden Cockerel, Shostakovich Trilogy and more Sleeping Beauty--Stella and Cassandra as Aurora, YAY!)

I'm thrilled with the lack of guest artists. Don't get me wrong, I loved Shyklarov and Nunez last year. But I'm super excited to see Cassandra Trenary get an Aurora! I wish they'd give more opportunities for the up and comers. I know NYCB performs more repertoire pieces (hence more opportunities for the young folks) but they gave an apprentice the lead in Midsummer last year. That is the way to develop the future!!! Though i get that it is harder for ABT with all of the full lengths and so many principal dancers to keep busy. I will be at Trenary's performance though, cheering on the future of ABT, happy to see them giving a chance to one of their own!

Looks like subscriptions are on sale now. Anyone know why they don't sell the side boxes as part of subscriptions? I prefer sitting in the grand tier side boxes but they don't include them in the subscriptions (site says sold out, but I've purchased individual tickets in the spring when single seats go on sale).

The couples were: Lauren Fadeley and Jermel Johnson Alexander Peters and Oksana Maslova Brooke Moore and Ian Hussey Mayara Pinero and Arian Molina Soca Lillian DiPiazza and Nicolaii Gorodiskii Loved seeing PAB up there on such a big stage. Congrats to the company and Angel Corella on bringing ballet to the masses.

It was definitely a very cool experience to see the stage from the other side. For some strange reason, I never realized the backdrops weren't wood or plastic, that they were so flimsy/pliable and cloth-like. I guess that was kind of dumb of me, as they raise the scenery up like a screen, but for some reason my brain was stuck on the wood backdrops we used during my high school drama days. For the tour, they said there was supposed to be a group of twenty, but only ten people showed up. Crazy folks turning down a chance to see the backstage area, haha! Looks like SL is pretty sold out the rest of the run. I would have liked to seen Bouder perform.

Saw NYCB's version of Swan Lake last night. I've seen mostly ABT with an occasional NYCB performance sprinkled in, so I'm not very well versed with how NYCB handles the full lengths. I was shocked at how fast they dance! The tempo was so much quicker than what I've seen from ABT, Marinsky and the Royal. I enjoyed the performance overall (although the act 2 divertissements seemed a bit long--but loved the pas de quatre!). Sara Mearns was fantastic, especially in the last act. She had a little flub with her fouettes, but her characterization of both Odette and Odile were fantastic. I've not seen much of him, so I was shocked at how technically awesome Daniel Ulbright was as the jester. I liked Martins version, although I'm used to seeing the swamp monster Rothbart, so the halloween pumpkin orange and black Rotbart was a bit strange. The NYCB corps dancers are always so in-sync, they are just lovely to watch. Best part of the night came after the performance. I used my mastercard to purchase the SL tickets and they took 20 random patrons who bought their tickets with mastercard backstage after the show for a tour and we got to meet some dancers (Cameron Dieck and Unity Phelan, who were both super nice). That is an awesome way for NYCB to connect with their fans, and it was very much appreciated (so thanks NYCB, dancers and MasterCard for the surprise!)

Not once have I questioned Part's integrity or competence. I've stated that she has technical deficiences, but I've also stated she's one of the loveliest Nikiya's I've seen. Her Lilac fairy does nothing for me, but to each their own. Guess I have a YAGP mentality. I think this board is starting to make me a bit hypersensitive, so I'm out until next met season. See you all next spring.

I find this comment offensive. Just because one prefers one variation over the other, does not mean they have "YAGP final" mentality.

I'm the wrong person to ask, as I fully admit I don't know a lot of the technical names. It was described by someone far more knowledgeable than I, as battlement fouettés and en dedans pirouettes. To me it looked some what similar to Italian fouettes but the leg stayed lower. It looked extremely difficult. Maybe someone with dance experience can chime in with a better less ignorant response.

I'm not a ballet expert by any means, but what Abrera did at that matinee was still much much harder than what Part did. This is probably getting way too off topic, and I don't want to veer off into discussing the discussion, so I'm done after this post. Again, I enjoy Part. But I think we all tend to be nicer (myself included) about the technical deficiencies of dancers we like or connect with, and are much harder on those dancers we don't feel a connection with. It's human nature. I'm guilty of it as well. I'm not saying Copeland doesn't deserve much of the criticism (I think she should be able to complete those fouettes by now) but things are never either 100% perfect or 100 % dreck. 99% of dancers fall between those extremes.

I get it. That's fine, too. I'm sure I might have done it once or twice, but I am going to make a conscious effort not to. Just because I don't like it, doesn't mean others have to care.

Reports from CA state that she initially did the Lilac solo that Abrera did, but she could not complete it, hence the change to the other notated solo. I am not trying to rip apart Veronica Part, I really do like her in most things.

I completely agree! Veronica Part has technical flaws, but you won't hear them mentioned. Don't know why, maybe because of her training.Not saying I don't like Part (because I love her Nikiya and Myrta, but I HATE HATE HATE her Lilac fairy) but sometimes the tide seems to turn on one or two dancers and everything about them becomes "dreck." I hate the all or nothing attitude, but maybe I'm just too new to the ballet world.

I'm sorry I missed Boylston's O/O (I refuse to use the nicknames, too. These dancers are not my "friends") I had tickets for yesterday but was feeling quite under the weather and couldn't make the trip up. I'm not surprised her performance was lovely, I've seen improvement in her for two years and she looked fantastic as Gamzatti earlier this year. She still does have a bit of floppiness in her wrists but she has the technical chops and I'm sure she'll continue to improve artistically.

Yes, it was on jkopit's Instagram. Not sure how to post the link. I really think ABT should do some kind of public recognition for these retirements. I know they can't do what they do with the principal dancers, but maybe an announcement before their last performance so the audience can appreciate folks who have given so much over the last 18-20 years.

Thanks for all of the advice. I'll be ordering my tickets today.

Two more corps members leaving per a public Instagram post: retiring are Adrienne Schulte and Marian Butler. The post said they were there 18 years. Wow. ABT should mention these departures like SF ballet seems to do.