stuben

I guess it is up to individual opinions here as I and my family felt otherwise, and actually was pleasantly surprised to see so many attend this performance thinking most will be with families and parties on the 4th. We thought Christine and Calvin had great chemistry in their dancing, I have to admit I am not a fan for "tricks" as many seem to look for, it isn't the YAGP. I always look to see how a dancer shows emotion even afar and thought they both did wonderfully at that, the audience gave them a very long standing ovation! Again this isn't a reflection of MRR's in-depth opinion. In addition, I felt both Zhong and Waski did wonderfully as I had an opportunity to see them in Pas de Trois as well, they seem to be a good pairing this season, and MRR's comment can be due to the fact that Waski seems to have just come right off the Boston Ballet season per her IG that my daughter reminded me of: https://www.instagram.com/p/CecTiONsexs/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY= From this it looks like she went from one company season to another without any breaks? Plus based on her IG it looks like she has been filling in for so many missing dancers this ABT season?

Just checked ABT dancers and indeed she is listed! So I assume she is back? We had bought tickets to her Myrtha before Covid but she was replaced 😳 Always loved her dancing and looks like she kept up her physique in Boston. Can't wait to see more of Waski this season and hopefully next!? Thanks for this share and hope she will post more of what is coming up.

Boston Ballet seems to have been able to film their entire company during lock down with this Gift for the holidays. Looks like fun - The Gift as "a jazzy twist" with the one and only Duke Ellington's music, the insert image from URL isn't working for me but here is the link: <https://www.bostonballet.org/Home/Tickets-Performances/Performances/The-Gift.aspx> Good to see so many companies doing what they can to entertain audiences everywhere. 😃

Duke Ellington's Nutcracker Suite with a twist and glad to see company dancers given the chance to choreograph for their colleague. Happy to see how they are ALL adhering to safety measures of masking (still looking good) while dancing! I especially love clips of each piece on the website: https://www.bostonballet.org/Home/Tickets-Performances/Performances/The-Gift.aspx IMHO, seems they are doing more than what some of the NYC companies have done and with care to safety for the dancers. And pricing is reasonable 😍

Agree with most comments here about the promotions and time will tell. I do agree with a comment upthread about promoting dancers who haven't proven themselves in multiple principal roles, other than Forster who is one of my favorites with both his emotional presence and his technique. As much as all the others have the technique and what I call tricks, I just don't feel they carry the emotional part as some of the great past primas IMHO Marcelo, Roberto, David, Julie, Xiomara and of course Sarah. I too am happy they finally promoted Gabe and glad his outspoken social media has helped him, but I do wonder if he will be another Craig Salstein (another loss) sitting in soloist rank till the end of time 😏

Completely agree 😞 Still recall her amazing Manon and as the Rose! Beyond sad about this. Hopefully she will grace the stages in the US so maybe we can still get to see her without traveling too far. Not sure about the corps IMHO, especially after COVID to be ready and fit for any quick promotions? It is unfortunate they lost the likes of Waski after being sidelined due to injury when she was casted for a much anticipated Myrtha. Saw a few clips from her Boston Ballet debut before this virus. Maybe this might change her mind of a return? 🤞

I just thought the same about Sarah?!!! No word for retirement or anything 😩 After all the wonderful years she gave so many of us and not a word from McKenzie? Wow!

I concur with both, where is Lane and Forster? As a fan of both, I feel that they have worked so hard all these years and deserve a bit more effort on the company's part vs to be "forgotten" for the sake of the up and comings, I am sure they will have their day in the sun. Back to NYCB admiration here!

Thank you ksk04 for this in-depth review and wonderful to read about Shevchenko and Forster, IMHO I feel Forster is a long awaited principal and it would be a travesty if they move Bell up before him, then again sadly nothing surprises me about this company anymore 😟 I would love to see Shevchenko and Forster if there is every a chance of Onegin making a come back too!

Like so many industries being well connected matters and in this case I am sure it didn't hurt. I did read that NY Times article when it came out and it sounded like her mother was the push behind ABT since she did mention her initial interest in Broadway vs ballet, and had disagreements with her mother but was steered towards ABT. True she has talent but based on that comment I do wonder about the publicity push possibly being bought due to connections. Between connections and financial assistance as Brandt does along with social media, I do feel sad for those without connection or financial factors and just have pure talent to get ahead of the game, many end up waiting till they're in their late 20s/30s to get lead roles or a promotion at ABT. Like in the case of Lane as well even as a principal 😟

Oops good catch I missed that one of Blaine, I stand corrected 😊 and I completely agree about Roman as a wonderful actor as I have enjoyed his performances for so many years! However, it is still unfortunate that no other dancer is able to step in vs a teaching staff, then again, even the wonderful Georgina Parkinson has stepped in for so many years herself wonderfully. Well at least Hoven has something better than nothing.

I noticed Keith Roberts in one of the shows as King of Babylon? Isn't he a ballet master for the company? So I do wonder why Blaine couldn't have done this or even an actual company member, since I can't imagine they are short on male dancers who can mime as well as Roman? I would think it is to the advantage to any company to give their dancers opportunities vs a teaching staff.

Interesting article and maybe it is just me but this seems to expose McKenzie and his dealings with his company. There is no mention of who is paying for the coaching but if it is her private funding than lucky for her, yet does this mean those who don't have the AD backing and without good funding will be left behind? Sad really that it has to happen like this, feels as if she is saying dancers are housed until they are needed, unless one is a flavor/favor of the season. Must be frustrating for her and others who might feel likewise. Plus I notice she mentioned 3 days to learn a lead last minute plus the lack of coaches? Is this a world class ballet company of local one, and that is not to put any local companies down. Just wondering.

Have been out of commission for a bit and just trying to catch up reading the thread, saw the Waterbury IG someone posted up-thread, there's a short video of her protest and she seems laughing as if this was a joke? I might be wrong about her laughter but IMHO this shouldn't be a laughing matter, this is a somber issue for all involved. This should never have happened to begin with, I might seem conservative sounding but this world of social media with young people is crazy, just think of pre-cell phones?! There is a saying even among college administrators, if you don't want anyone to see bad images of you never have them taken! Even college admissions have ways to find them. "Sharing" seems so prevalent in this new age, and sometimes not in a good way. Then, there is the part if any person wish to show their privates to their partners, that should be between them, since now that her images are out and she is suing I would think it is more mature to let the powers that be, the court system, to address her issues. Her own vendetta should be addressed with her lawyer(s) and to the court. It would be different if all involved have been proven guilty. This action of protest to destroy a person's career while the case seems to be still pending won't do well to help her case, this might even work against her case as it seems borderline harassment towards a possible innocent secondary party. And, if she is focusing on Mr. Ramasar due to his location then even more so, especially since Finley is the direct connection. Anyway, back to the crazy world of the Senate and our country 😱

Any news why? Still sad how Lane has repeatedly been given less and less suited roles 😔

It seems this isn't a mix up as Trenary just put up on her social media that says she will be with Cornejo on May 23 matinee! I maybe in the minority but what a slap in the face for Lane 🙁 After all these years of wonderful pairing with Cornejo she is now paired with IMO a less than sufficient partner and one show to say the least! I am sorry but I cannot see Trenary in the role, she is wonderful don't get me wrong but she is good at what I call the cute, flirtatious roles as she has been cast with, but Lane is Juliet especially after her Manon with Cornejo. It is so clear that the powers that be have their eyes to put Trenary on fast track and have Lane one foot out the door 😤 Yet another great dancer kick to the curb after all these years. Neither of these pairings are desirable as IMHO sadly the golden days of the company are gone. Plus why the Middle East when we know what is going on over there?

Saw this on Miss Waski's social media and thrilled she is noticed for her debut as Myrtha, just wish she had performed this while at ABT 😔 , we had bought tickets then but sadly she was injured, a loss for us but will plan a trip north one of these days. Hope to hear more of her progress from those watching her and maybe a trip for Nutcracker if casting looks interesting. I am not sure how to show the post but here is her Twitter link with the same Facebook post she had put up, if interested I think you can cut and paste this link to view: <https://twitter.com/PaulinaWaski/status/1189534406001790977>

Just saw this and if I recall there was a lot of chatter here and possibly other fans in other blogs that might have helped Lane, and who knows, maybe they got calls too, just saying and I might be all wrong, but I do recall there were quite a few posts calling for her promotion back then.

You say it much better 😊 "reminiscent" indeed. I wonder likewise with others being "housed".

I guess I should have been clearer and thanks for adding to this. I didn't mean that she quit, I recall of her feeling about her leaving, however, I recall how she was treated similarly at the time. With so much unknown about how 'bias" and "vendettas" work within, I do wonder how many others left for similar reasons (not sure principals or soloists). We will never know.

My thoughts exactly! I saw that performance and left with such emotions, something I will never forget, at that moment Lane WAS Manon! Only thing I can add to this is recalling what happened to Part, she was quite forthcoming, if my memory serves me well, about her displeasure of why she was departing. Seems like KM or the powers that be can make someone they feel bad enough so that they quit, and if this is the case it would be most unfortunate, as in the case of Part.

Well I hope all these decisions serves him (KM) well, but the season is looking like I can yet again save some $$$ in 2020.

I am with you on this about Trenary vs Lane here, after all these years watching Lane and the last in Manon, I say this is a travesty to not give her the well deserved Juliette ☹️ (Trenary is a wonderful dancer) I am sorry but I guess I am reminiscing the days of Kent, Herrara and Reyes, and I just can't see Trenary there yet, however, Lane has it all for me to successfully execute these dramatic roles. This is likewise for my feeling of Forster vs Bell, and hope Forster will get his moment this season.

Completely agree with the disappointments: Lane 😔 and IMHO Hurlin is technically good but both her and Bell are quite young and needs time to grow yet into their roles, I know I will be the minority here, I know most audiences love technique and tricks but it should not sacrifice emotional connection. It is unfortunate for those seasoned dancers not given the chance like Hoven and where is Paris? Seems there is the ticket sales factor and as Hamrick says in her interview, it is "politics". So happy for Forster to get his break finally!!!

Our wishes might come true, let's hope, since it seems KM is keeping this all in the family, as he is one of the founders as listed on site: Founders: Gregory Cary • Kevin McKenzie • Bentley Roton • Martine van Hamel.