Fleurfairy

I was wondering why Megan Fairchild was absent from the casting sheet for the Spring season. She is pregnant per her Instagram today.

I would go with the Tuesday, if only to see the wonderful Cornejo and Abrera. 

Yes, the problem was the iPhone. Thanks for your help guys!

What’s the deal with the Met Opera’s online system? I was trying to get Parterre tickets for the Lane/Simkin Giselle and it’s not letting you choose your particular seats, just the section. It also won’t let you see which seats are available or already sold. Is this just because I’m using my iPhone or did they change their system? 

If they do promote a male to principal, it will probably be Hammoudi. I don't forsee any female soloists making principal for a couple of years at least.

23 hours ago, vipa said:

My attitude is that Julie Kent being allowed to hang on for so long did ABT a disservice. It became clear that some ballet's were vehicles for Kent. Along with that other dancers had missed opportunities because of Kent's schedule. Don't get me wrong. I loved Julie Kent for much of her career but the last 4 years or so shouldn't have happened. Now we have Abrera in her late 30's finally being given a Juliet. Lane in her early 30's has to wait for opportunities she should have now. Copeland gets everything because of ticket sales (can't blame ABT for that). I won't go on Ugh!

ABT seems to have this problem routinely. Alessandra Ferri hung on for way too long as well. As did Paloma Herrera. I am starting to see Gillian Murphy enter the territory of being injured often and not the Ol’ Faithful that she once was. She’s going to be 40. There’s something to be said for retiring before everything completely goes and you’re delivering subpar performances. (Not saying she’s at that point this year, but it’s coming). There’s also something to be said for recognizing that younger dancers could deliver a better, fresher performance and bowing out gracefully. 

I’m doubting Osipova will come to NY for one performance if Hallberg is out. She has no real loyalty to ABT, just to Hallberg.

If ABT was smart, they would put in Simkin/Lane who has a breathtaking Giselle last year. I don’t think it’s fair for either artist to constantly be pigeonholed in matinee performances. 

The cynical part of me thought that the Boals could have made these allegations when they saw an opportunity for Peter to be AD. Stranger things have happened.

18 hours ago, fondoffouettes said:

It's time for NYCB to stop think about pleasing "Mr. B" and to treat Balanchine like any other genius-artist. The company has every right to pick and choose how it presents Balanchine's works. 

I agree. NYCB needs to start thinking of Balanchine objectively. And maybe it will now that Martins isn't at the helm anymore and they install an AD that didn't dance for Balanchine directly. 

Gross! Who makes the travel arrangements for the company? Maybe they could have taken some of the $80K raise they gave McKenzie this year and used it for the travel budget instead!

On 1/31/2018 at 11:16 AM, abatt said:

Actually, the only lead debut roles for the R&J casts are the two new Romeos, Coll and Walker.  All of the Juliets are repeats from prior seasons.  In fact, Tiler Peck, Sterling Hyltin and Erica Pereira have been doing Juliet since the production debuted in 2007.  Perhaps this will be their last season in the role.  It would be nice to see some new Juliets. 

 

 

Agreed. I’m of the mind that R&J should be cast young. Or at least look young. I also think  opportunities should have been given to apprentices or new corps members as they were when NYCB R&J debuted. It interjects so much more excitement. But I suppose the company is not at the point right now to go for broke. 

I’ve never been a Mearns fan. I just don’t like her dancing style - way too melodramatic for my taste. Not sure Balanchine would have liked her either given that his motto was “Just dance, dear.” She does anything but that. 

I was puzzled by Teuscher's casting as Juliet in general. She's a tall stately ballerina, which doesn't usually lend itself well to the youthful girlishness that Juliet requires. But we shall see.

4 minutes ago, balletforme said:

I agree that he is a strong candidate but he isn't really a choreographer. .  is he? And that appears to be part of the NYCB tradition/

A fair point, but I don't think anything Martins choreographed really made huge gains for the company. I think Ratmansky, Peck, Wheeldon, and some of the newer choreographers could definitely fill in the rep without having the AD choreograph too. Nevertheless, I'd like to see a return to more Balanchine and Robbins. The last few seasons have been lacking in both. 

I think the only logical replacement would be Jon Stafford, as he has been on the administrative side of things for a long time now and is familiar with the business aspect. 

Benjamin Millepied? Ugh.

5 hours ago, cassieallison said:

I noticed he didn't dance much the the fall season and that he seems to be traveling quite a bit. It appears the engagement to Emilie Gerrity is off as he has scrubbed her from his social media. I wonder if that is why he is leaving?

I had taken notice of that too. It’s amazing how many relationships form and break apart within the company, NYCB especially. 

I disagree. There are plenty of men that could step in for Gomes. Many in the corps actually. Will they ever get the chance though? No, because ABT is not NYCB and does not give those big breaks to corps or soloists. They let them all die on the vine. 

19 minutes ago, sandik said:

Right now, all we know is this press release, but it does sound as if he made a choice to leave. 

Maybe he was so offended at ABT giving credence to the allegation that he left in disgust. I agree with abatt that our justice system should have handled any wrongdoing, it is not ABT's place to be judge and jury. 

Witch hunt.

12 hours ago, wonderwall said:

This feature on her mentions she severely strained her lower back while training for Firebird.

Her extensions are gorgeous, that's for sure.

I think Morgan was foolish to comment at all. I was expecting her to keep her mouth shut, as is the norm. I was very surprised she addressed it but I guess she felt she had to speak about her own personal experience. However, she was in the company a relatively short time and was a rising star. So she might have been somewhat sheltered and coddled from the worst of it.

2 hours ago, canbelto said:

There have been a few. Indiana Woodward, Claire Kretzschmar and Miriam Miller are making their Dewdrop debuts. Roman Mejia just got accepted into the corps and is dancing Tea. Some Coffee debuts too. 

Agree. There haven't been any surprise or compelling casting choices this year. I guess management just wanted to "stay the course" during the company turmoil. 

Kathryn Morgan mentioned three dancers she knew of that were sleeping with him at the time; in her comments she says one was a principal. I guess we can't speculate on this forum but it does make one wonder.

Anyone have thoughts on Sara Mearns Instagram post re Dewdrop? I’m wondering if it was a jab toward Peter for taking her out of the role. To be honest, I don’t think every ballerina is suited for every role and Sara is much more of a melodramatic dancer whereas Dewdrop has to be happy, Light, and sprightly.