stuben

Finally had time to do my weigh in for whatever it is worth, the show was a sell out for what I saw and actually over heard one young gentleman, who most likely is a tourist in town, mentioning to someone on his cell that he wasn't able to get a ticket so he had to settle for across the theatre to the RB. It was quite funny for me as I can tell he had no idea what he was seeing, whomever was on the other side of the phone was encouraging him to see a ballet. The audience seems to have had many young people there and perhaps from all the various summer intensives that has begun around town. I was mixed in my feelings with the partering, I have to admist many things said may be very subjective and I do hope to be more objective to what I have to say. I loved both Simkin and Bolyston in their perspective dances and throughly enjoyed the performance, but I have to be honest that I didn't feel the connection in certain parts of the show. Their techniques are as always amazing to me, but if felt that Simkin was concentrating a bit too much to get the partnering right then his theatrics that was needed, IMO. With this said, this is a good partnership to start with and I know they will do well with more given opportunities together to become the much loved Corella/Herrera one day. For the rest of the show, I felt the corps swans started a bit messy (timing of legs) but ended on a nice note, both Cygnettes with Copeland, Brandt, Lane and Aihara, as well as Big Swans with Waski and Hamrick were very together. I had wished to have seen the much talked about Shevchenko on this thread, but sorry to have missed her in this particular performance. I was hoping she would be one of the princesses as I felt they could have used her. Based on what I saw, I feel that ABT should definitely consider coaching several of these talented young dancers as I feel their talents need to be nurtured to do great things for this company. Well, again, many things can be said and hope to have given a less subjective opinion, but overall I am glad I was there to see some of my favorites stars and enjoyed a nice afternoon.

That is indeed good to hear, I was mostly just curious about the Rock school based on some comments on this feed. I have yet to see her perform this season, guess I was missing her cast. I hope to see her dance at tomorrow's performance and will certainly look for her in the program.

I have heard through the years that they do produce quite a few wonderful dancers for other companies. I have also heard that they do excel technically amoung other schools. I tend to agree after seeing a few of their students at one of the regional YAGP competitions a few years ago, however, it seems they show great skills with lots of tricks, and I have to agree that the audience loved it, but is that enough for an all round dancer? I would guess musicality or mime/expressions should be equally important? I am guilty when I say this too, as I do applaud great "tricks", but then I feel robbed when I see a dance showing wonderful technique without any change in emotions or expressions in certain roles.

I completely forgot about this taped performance Amazing and beyond words how wonderful this was, sorely miss all! Thanks for sharing nysusan!

Took a bit of finding but I was right in recalling ABT instagram once posted this and glad to have found it, most delightful entrechat six, I believe during rehearsals: <https://instagram.com/p/zN2K-tyJW-/?taken-by=abtofficial>

Indeed nanushka and forgive me to miss so many names too, Maria Riccetto comes to mind now too, I am glad to see how well she has done going back to her home country. I genuinely hope, for the sake of the ABT, that they don't let talent get "stuck" and frustrated enough to continue this trend. We are all seeing many young talents currently in the company, I do hope they spend the money and time to nurture what they have.

Not sure if everyone on BA saw this but here is the latest from WSJ today: http://www.wsj.com/articles/misty-copeland-takes-the-stage-in-swan-lake-1435189061 I am curious if there was an announcement, to those who are not familiar, as to whom these ladies are. Misty may be a first for the ABT but indeed she is not the first in the ballet world, IMO, nor should her PR team claim the be the first.

Good observation nanushka as I feel likewise all these years, after missing Matthews, Kajiya and Messmer to name a few, fortunately they have stuck with doing what they love and finally got to where they should have been with the ABT. I really hope the trend will not increase, as we have lost so many of our favorites already, I hope they will wake up and not let the talents get stuck, or I am almost certain this trend will continue in the worse way. Let's not forget Stella again!!!

Thank you so much for such a detailed synopsis nanushka, these are always welcome if one cannot attend a performance. I am pleased to hear that Zhang did well as I had appreciated his work since after seeing him as the Golden Idol and have missed seeing his skills used more. Also, nice to hear about the pairing of Waski and Hamrick working out well, as mentioned during Sleeping Beauty, she too is one to watch after both fairy variations. Seems Macaulay has noticed as well in his Times review. Hope ABT will take note of these young dancers to nurture and move them up the ranks as well.

So glad to hear about all this and wish I was there, but looking forward to my Saturday performance. Just heard from a friend who actually ended up there and mentioned a name we haven't heard about for a while, Hamrick! Guess she has been out for most of the season? Heard that Waski and her were a good pair of Big Swans? I believe she was in this when the company was in Australia, as there is a post on ABT Twitter showing both together: https://instagram.com/p/4UcabUvfh0/

I was just on the Met site and this is indeed very strange since this is also a Friday night, I would think that is a night out...but perhaps not a ballet, yet it is Kotchekova. I already have tickets to the Saturday matinee ... luckily a while ago since I see that is almost sold out! Perhaps it is Saturday and also they do have the kids workshop listed for the same afternoon, not crazy about that and sure hope not too many young kids jumping in front of our seats. I wish I had see this show as well, with all the comments on Misty, did anyone on BA see this? I have always enjoyed Marcelo as VR. Wonder if this was a sell out after a day with Misty.

Looks like Nicole is off to Washington too! Seems quite a few dancers are departing? <https://instagram.com/p/3mpM_Cw1DK/?taken-by=nickichicky8>

I concur ABT Fan, why can't the media department or whomever handles this website learn from these dancers, even if they don't want to use the same people at least learn that they need to get to the 21st Century. They added the 18 to 29 section but IMO they need to do more to attract new audience and gain attention. I add again that the NYCB has done a great job to introduce their dancers with video about each. This adds to the audience involvement and feeling like we know each dancer.

I agree with nurturing the homegrown talent, as Plisskin mentioned the potentials of Skylar Brandt and Paulina Waski, both from the lower school and studio company. I was fortunate to be at Julie's farewell show and both were in the show, although Waski was not listed in the "Juliet's Friends" dance, she was indeed dancing the role, one can clearly see both their stage presence, and after having seen both in other performances, their techniques are clean and they dance with confidence. I believe if given more coaching and nurturing that these dancers have great potential as well, I look forward to seeing how ABT will help these dancers grow to their full potential. It looks like they moved all the apprentices over except for one boy, I wonder if more from Studio Company will be added in the fall.

I thought I was alone on this but glad to see that I am not crazy to feel this way. I say much coaching is needed for their own dancers vs the patchwork of guests, but alas it is again financial issues that hopefully new management will fix.

I am in total agreement with this comment, I may be exaggerating but I believe this website has been around as long as Kent and now that she has retired maybe it is time to retire the site as well I love what NYCB has and I do believe it is a matter of finances too.

Such talent lost at such a young age My condolences to his family and friends.

Found on Youtube as there are many others who posted this event: <

I believe it was José Manuel Carreño, the video posted by ABT Fan can confirm.

I would just like to add that in the case of the ABT, I do believe someone in another post mentioning how their 8 week season is more of the 9 month schedule for some others. This may be also a reason for potential injuries, rehearsal times cut short and long hours from rehearsals to performances can also be a factor.

I believe it was Julie's mother as someone beside me was telling another, I can't be certain but I did hear quite a few people mentioning how nice it was for her mother to be there.

Couldn't agree more with Drew as I feel the same admiration for what they all do to entertain us, the audience. They all enter this with passion for what they love to do, and for each to get this far has to say something for them as individuals.

Some really good points vagansmom and I see your points, especially the sponsorships part. I am not sure but it seems other companies don't have or don't announce individual dancer sponsorships? I haven't seen it for Houston or Boston, but I may be wrong. IMO, I believe it would be better served if sponsors donate to one giant pot, they can still show their own names but just not be named directly to individuals, so all are on an equal playing field but the sponsors still get the credit for helping the company?

Thank you for clarifying ABT Fan and perhaps it isn't fully recovered.

I, too, have to thank for the many links, even though I was at the performance I was unable to get anything decent recording or picture to post. I don't even know if I should mention this since it was a historical night, and indeed an end to an era, but I have to somewhat agree with several posts about the connection between Kent and Bolle, or lack there of. I can't explain my feeling and I was honestly ready for a tissue evening, but it just wasn't the same feeling that I had when I saw him with Ferri. I am not sure if this is true, but during intermission I overheard a conversation with a small group that she may have been dancing with an injury? Does anyone in BA know of this? I have to say though that Cornejo did tremendous and he had a few well deserved applauses. Stella, was Stella, amazing as always, not surprising that she was a very convincing Lady Capulet, I felt her scream and agony! The most emotional part for me was when Julie's children, especially her son, hugged her and cried. All is all, I was very glad I was able to be there for this moment. Like ABT Fan, I do hope she does remain and help coach or teach the new generation of dancers who I am sure will welcome that.