Fleurfairy

The NYT has neglected to review any of the exciting soloist debuts at ABT in the last few weeks when the ballet world has absolutely been buzzing about them. My question is why? What is their agenda? This is troubling to me. As far as Misty goes, her reviews are clickbait for readers who know little about ballet but will fill the seats for her performances. I guess it's a win-win for ABT and the NYT in that regard, but the integrity of the critics suffers for it.

I would love to know the criteria the NYT uses in featuring dancers. Some incredible dancers get zero mention and other not-so-great dancers are constantly included in reviews, interviews, etc. Not saying Devon doesn't deserve mention!

I am hoping Sarah Lane will be promoted as she just performed 3 acclaimed Giselles and originated the role of Princess Praline in Whipped Cream and got wonderful reviews for that as well. But I've learned never to assume anything as far as promotions at ABT go. Other than Lane, I can't think of any soloists that took on new principal roles except Teuscher and Shevchenko as you mentioned. But I don't think they'll be promoted this year. Any of the soloist men really stand out? I thought Craig Salstein was a really good Hilarion.

Well, it seems that McKenzie got the message, as soloists have been given lead roles and corps members have been given solos in the last couple seasons. Which is extremely gratifying to see. The only guest artist (after Vishneva leaves) is Kochetkova, right? I imagine that they'll be letting her go at some point, as she's barely a presence with ABT.

Who's Felicia?

I've been wondering this as well. No report of any injury but yet hasn't been cast in anything major in at least a year or more. I think she did one performance of Dewdrop during Nutcracker 2016?

I traveled a long way to see the Lane/Simkin matinee and it was worth every penny and minute. It was stunning. I have never been so swept away by Giselle in my life and I've seen quite a few productions by various companies and dancers. It was haunting. Sarah Lane was everything that Giselle should be and more. The show was a remarkable achievement for both. What else can be said of Simkin? To me, he's the Baryshnikov of this generation. They had the perfect chemistry, passionate but doomed love. I know the audience was in agreement with me because the noise at final bows was deafening and people were wiping away tears. Too bad, this won't be noted by major critics. Hopefully, the grassroots campaign for Sarah will be heard by management. This is the kind of dancing we should be seeing every single night from ABT. It was world class.

I'd like to read real reviews of the performances, but since they were in Oman that seems unlikely. I guess we'll have to wait until the Met performances. Knowing the New York Times, they will only cover Misty's debut, maybe touch on Gillian for a sentence, and completely ignore Sarah. I am using my hard-earned money for Sarah's performance on May 27th.

Seeing Sarah Lane's Giselle debut is one of my 2017 priorities. I'll be getting that ticket on March 26th!

The roster of principals is at max capacity it seems at the moment, so I don't see any of those long-standing soloists moving up. My guess is that 2 or 3 female principals will be retiring in the next couple years. I know that Maria Kowroski is on a comeback from a long maternity leave, but she isn't dancing the technically demanding roles anymore and she is 40 years old. Abi Stafford's career too has seemed to fizzle out after she had her baby. I haven't seen her cast in anything major in years it seems and it's a shame because she is a lovely dancer. And where has Ana Sophia Scheller been? She was a regular Aurora, but wasn't cast in any role for this run of Sleeping Beauty. I recall her performing maybe one Sugarplum during Nutcracker season?

Does anyone know what happened with Sara Mearns? According to her Instagram she's going through a very bad time right now and can barely perform. Is she injured? Sick? I wish that people wouldn't post cryptic things on social media if they're not willing to name what it is they are discussing. Especially if they are audience members who bought tickets specifically because she was cast in the role.

Seems from Instagram that Sara Mearns is out indefinitely. I wonder who will cover her role in tonight's performance. I always hope to catch Megan Fairchild's Dewdrop. I love that role for the petite women. In fact, I think Claire Von Enck would make a lovely Dewdrop. Ashley Bouder's Broadway facial expressions have always distracted me, so I don't enjoy her dancing as much. Very curious to see who will debut in Sugarplum/Dewdrop slots during Christmas-New Year's.

Thank you for the reviews.I meant to attend Friday, but couldn't make it. I will say, Megan Fairchild is at the top of her game right now. I think she's dancing better than she ever has. But then a lot of City Ballet dancers truly hit their stride in their 30's. I too am waiting for promotions of Woodward, Phelan, and Maxwell. They seem due.

I would love to see Sarah Lane as Giselle. I know if will probably be a cold day in you-know-what before that happens, but hope is all we've got. I can't imagine Gillian Murphy as Giselle. I don't think her feet are malleable enough- I grew up watching Alessandra Ferri's Giselle on a loop so I'm a bit biased. And I think she's too tall to convey that fragile look essential to the role.