AmandaNYC

I haven't posted a review in awhile, mostly just wanting to enjoy the performances without a mind toward writing about them. But, I am still on a high from last night's performance, and so wanted to share why.

I sat through Thou Swell mostly because I had a great seat and was somewhat curious about the latest cast. Much of this season I have grown to appreciate those who were missing more than those who were there. Case in point were the missing Kowroski and Ringer in Thou Swell (well both of them in many other roles). I am happy Arthurs has a had a chance to shine, but both she and Krohn just don't carry to the 2nd ring. There's nothing 'wrong' with their dancing. There just wasn't that extra something that justified them having these starring roles. Krohn keeps getting opportunities, but I still don't see a presence developing.

Borree has been... bothering... me less lately. It may be that I am used to her and have given up on seeing a relaxed neck and beautiful upper body. It may also be that I have grown to appreciate her commitment to what she is doing. She is there 100% and you can tell. I need that from the dancers. They don't need to be an extraverted Bouder. Somogyi has always been more introvered, but I still love her.

Mearns had a great night. I don't always love her, as I find her musicality uneven (one performance she seems to be utterly musical, and then others not so much). But, tonight she seemed to be 'on'. I understand why she was switched from the girl in black into Kistler's role. Mearns has a gorgeous upper body that is necessary here.

Male-wise, I enjoyed Ramasar's chance to be in role that suits his personality and to see JAngle taking to the piano instead of Martins. JAngle has had a wonderful season, really proving himself as lovely solo dancer, and not just the superb partner he always has been.

Prodigal Son-- I came more for deLuz than Gilliland, but was blown away by Gilliland. This was not because she was perfect-- she still has to mature into the role; it was only her debut. I was blown away by how already matured into the role she seemed, though it was only a debut. There was the tension and slight haugtiness and total command. I didn't 'get' everyone's adoration of her until this season. Between this and Piano Pieces, I'm now looking forward to everything she does. As I had suspected, de Luz was at his best in the earlier parts, when he got to express his frustrations and excitement to the fullest. I thought he was weaker... when he was supposed to be weak. He seemed to be playing at being weak rather than actually being weak. I imagine it's hard for a dancer with the passion he has to let himself go and become the feeble disheartened prodigal. I hope it will come with time.

So Brahms-Schoenberg.

My enjoyment of this ballet is very much affected by the casting. I had seen the AStafford/Taylor/Fairchild/Whelan cast last week, and found it much weaker than the one tonight. A. Stafford, as much as I love how far she has come and enjoy her dancing, does not have the lush upper body that is necessary for first mov't. Rutherford, of course, is known for that, and was beautiful. She also has had quite the season.

I want to feel a little heart-broken by what seems like some type of impending doom in 2nd mov't. Taylor (back this season, yay!) gives herself completely, but still seems in her own world, not relating to her partner in the way this mov't calls for. Hyltin, while not Ringer in her early days (tears, every time i saw her do it), also gave herself completely but was also part of a couple.

Veyette continues to impress. He's really come into his own in the last few seasons, relaxing more (we actually see smiles these days) while proving himself a worthy leading man.

My night's highlight was the Mearns/Ramasar 4th mov't. Maybe it was because I wasn't expecting it. Maybe it was because I was very disappointed in the Whelan/Askegaard version. Whatever the reason, Mearns and Ramasar gave themselves over completely to each other, their dancing and the audience, and I let them take me on their ride. Their timing was right on, they had the gypsy tension and... I don't know what else to say. I just fell for them. It felt like the rest of the audience did, too.

Of all the ones who have had great seasons (up to this last week), like Rutherford, JAngle, and many others, I have very much enjoyed Ramasar's season. I have liked him since his SAB Fanfare (Percussion) workshop in 99 when he wasn't a deer in headlights but thoroughly lapped up the role and attention. But, this season I have seen a beauty in his movements, a real care in his dancing and for his partner that I hadn't noticed before. Maybe all the Robbins Celebration rehearsing has done him well. From comments others have made to me, I know I'm not the only one to notice his maturation.

Well, when I do post, I make it a long one!

-amanda

Amanda feels bad for everyone dancing following a Bouder/Ulbricht Rubies excerpt. :-)

-

I'm looking forward to the deLuz/Gilliland Prodigal. I'm just hoping their height difference doesn't look as ludicrous as the Ulbricht/Reichlen one, which is proves to be too distracting.

-amanda

Didn't anyone see the new Ratmansky on Thursday night? After reading the NY Times review, I'm especially eager to hear what you all have to say about it. I won't see it for another week or two.

-amanda

The Winger has posted the auctions-- the first round end TOMORROW (Tues). Great items were collected by the dancers to help in fundraising for AIDS Walk NY.

Winger post about auctions

-amanda

There should be auctions soon for some signed merchandise... Be on the look out.

not sure where to post this...

I took advantage of NYCB's extra tickets offer, only to have people pull out from going today.

I have two extra 2nd ring tickets (row D on the side) for the 3pm perf TODAY - Fancy Free, Dybbuk, and West Side Story Suite.

These are FREE for you. I just want to make sure someone who loves ballet gets to use them. 2ND ring is the best area of the house, if you ask me.

You'll be sitting next my sister and me.

Send me a private message if you are interested - as soon as you can.

THANKS!

-amandaNYC

It's about time!

It's been 28 years since the last revival, and they already missed the 50th anniversary. WSS always seems to be the show those who don't like musicals love... and well, those who love musicals tend to love it too.

I heard rumors about the revival for months from those in touch with those on the international tour and am glad they turned out to be founded.

I hope they get unknowns... but what is the likeihood of that?

If Bouder and Ulbricht in Tarantella don't start a five alarm blaze in the theater, demand your money back.

Like minds, Leigh. I was just commenting to someone that their pairing in Tarantella will likely make the house explode from all that energy! I'm very sorry I didn't get to see them perform together here. I had wondered if Bouder kept 'one upping' herself in Four Seasons this last season because she had to contend with Ulbricht in the same section (though, of course, she is always trying new things).

-amanda

What's the NY April info? I only see it in the headline, not in the posts-- unless I missed it.

-amanda

I, for one, loved it. We fell for it and were incredibly moved by it.

I have not seen previous productions of the show, and so only knew the songs from CD. I agree that Another Hundred People was sung in too happy a way, and I had trouble hearing some of the voices over the instruments at times, but I totally fell for the show. I thought most of the cast top-notch. My husband (a former actor) and I were crazy about Raul Esparza. We saw him live in The Homecoming last month. Both times I could not take my eyes off him. He's not an extraverted magnetic presence, but, to us, he has a natural great stage presence and is a wonderful actor. My husband (don't tell him i said it) had tears at times (well, we both did at the end of Being Alive, which is one of my all-time favorite songs). I understand that his approach is not for everyone. In both this and The Homecoming he takes a more relaxed, non-chalant tact. I think it worked for this show because it contrasted nicely to the times when you could feel his discomfort or frustrations (at least we could).

While I don't think having the actors play the instruments was necessary or something to rave about, I respect the director's choice. It never bothered me, and, at times, it seemed to work very well (bobby fizzling out with the kazoo, and so being further isolated from his friends / instrumentalists).

Whether you liked it or not, there's no question this was a DIRECTED show. Yes, all shows have directors, but often you don't see their hand in the works, for better or for worse. I both respected and enjoyed the director's choices for this production. Not having seen any other productions of Company, I can't make any comparisons. But, for my husband and me, it was a version that worked and made us undertand why this is many people's fave Sondheim show (score).

Immediately after the show ended last night, my husband put Esparza's version of Being Alive on my iPod (I already have LuPone and Peters doing it).

-amanda

Btw, there's also a TBD special one-time only performance listed in the NYCB schedule for the end of the season. I'm wondering if anyone else is retiring. Or if they are doing some special Jerome Robbins program to mark the end of the season.

-amanda

As a subscriber, I received a notice in the mail yesterday, inviting me to get tickets to Damian Woetzel's farewell ahead of the general public. It says he's performing Fancy Free and Prodigal Son. It's a non-subscription performance.

I am quite upset he won't be doing Stars & Stripes!

-amanda

In case you don't already know this, the B'way revival of Sondheim's Company from last year was taped before it closed. It will be airing on PBS's Great Performances Wed night the 20th in most areas. Of course, check your local listings.

-amanda

I actually have a ballet tie-in to El Cid if you can believe it. When my parents were dating in '67/'68, El Cid, a fave of my dad's, was going to be shown on TV. My mom had tickets to the ballet. So, what did my mom do? She left JEWELS early to go meet my dad and watch it! My mom now realizes she missed seeing Farrell in Diamonds (most likely). I have been making up for her missing that ballet ever since, apparently.

-amanda

Not sure if this has been posted elsewhere but the NYTimes now reports that he won't be joining NYCB, as he's too busy right now. He's still scheduled, however, to make additional ballets for the company.

-amanda

Not sure if this is the right place to post this, but I trust the moderators will move, if need be.

They're making a special offer to Subscribers who renew early. From the website:

"Note to Renewing Subscribers: Renew by February 15 and receive a complimentary pair of tickets for your friends and family. Let NYCB help you share your love of our dynamic dancers and thrilling performances. If you renew by February 15, you'll recieve a voucher redeemable for a complimentary pair of tickets to our spring season.* These complimentary tickets are our way of encouraging you to share the drama, beauty, and romance of NYCB with more of your friends and family. There's no better time to introduce someone to the excitement and allure of NYCB than with the spring's Jerome Robbins Celebration. Hurry, this offer expires February 15, so renew today! *Valid for one pair (2 tickets) in the same area of the house as your subscription . Seats next to your existing subscription location(s) cannot be guaranteed. Offer subject to availability, is non--transferable, and has no cash value. Once ordered, tickets cannot be exchanged. Offer valid for 2008 Spring Season only."

I think this is an incredible offer, considering the bonus pair are in the same area of the house as your subscription. I have 2nd ring subs, which means this is a $150 offer for me. I hope the effort works, and it doesn't take away from sales! I definitely plan on bring my neph and sis (along with me and husband) to a perf., and I wouldn't have otherwise.

-amanda

It pains me to hear that Carrie Lee has left... she has a winning smile, a lively presence and real charm. She also does wonderful footwork -- if you remember, when Martins' premiered "Jazz," (to me, an otherwise forgettable work, embarrassingly trite and ignorant in it's treatment of race) it opened with Carrie Lee alone, center stage, doing a series of intricate steps to a complicated rhythmic sequence. Doing it very, very well!

Several of us were wondering recently if she would return....

Carrie may have taken over that part, but she didn't join the company until 3-4 years after the ballet premiered.

I will miss her too, but there was an influx of talented short girls over the last few years that led to fewer and fewer roles for her. And, then she was out at least for the spring season, if not longer. If she was injured, I hope she recovers and finds another place to dance.

Darci Kistler is AD for a group of City Ballet dancers, including Ms. Kistler, Jared Angle, Joaquin De Luz, Ask La Cour, Amar Ramasar, Ashley Bouder, Sara A. Mearns, and Kaitlyn Gilliland, that will give three performances in Queens in October.

http://queenstheatre.org/dance.html

Be careful not to buy the tickets solely based on individuals performing (though we already know that), as one online ad I saw didn't list J.Angle or Bouder, but did list Evans.

-amanda

Does anyone know who danced Apollo for Nilas?

Any reports would be welcome.

Charles Askegard

Was that his first time doing it with NYCB? I don't recall him dancing the ballet with the company before. If this was his company debut, then there's a silver lining to all the commotion, as someone new got to dance this prized male role. If only it had been Evans.....

-amanda

Have I missed it, or did no one on the board review Wheeldon's new ballet? I would have expected to find reviews here, since it premiered during this time period. If I didn't miss reviews here, how shall I interpret the silence?

You can extract my general opinion from my behavior: I saw it once. I didn't go in the second time I was volunteering and it was on the program.

-amanda

Actually she's a member of the Corps.... But the shoes are from Ashley Bouder and Darci Kistler, so doesn't that make her, on the bottom line, a Principal? A beautiful and refined ballerina! Agree that the company is a fabulous collection of dancers, young and old!

More clarification! She actually finally has her own maker and own shoes. Last week someone at the gift shop pointed out that one of the pairs of Morgan shoes actually said "Morgan" on the bottom in contrast to other pairs which still said "Bouder" and "Kistler".

Also Bouder in Raymonda Variations. I'm in heaven!

I'm with you! Raymonda and Rubies! Rubies is so perfect for her. And, fortunately, my husband and I already have tix for the debut performance. Now, I just need to decide if I am going to Raymonda.

-amanda

I don't think Sloan ever really left the company. She was out with an extended injury.

Her name was removed from the roster from the company for a long time, so I think that's where we're getting that from. She may had an open door to come back, but she was not on the roster. Other dancers who were out for a long time (like LeCrone), however, have remained on the roster. Not sure what determines that.

-amanda

Ringer left when she was a soloist and came back a soloist.

-amanda

Those Fairchilds certainly move up the ranks fast!

Congrats to all (esp. the long overdue, as many have said, Hall and Suozzi)!

To me, the most glaring omission is Abi Stafford. She has made the greatest strides over the past few years, going from a pure technician to adding presence and joy to her dancing to create more fully realized performances. And, she has been back to performing meaty principal roles for several seasons now. They may have pushed her too fast into the Soloist rank, but now I think they're keeping her back too long as a Soloist. I think her brother still has a long way to go (way too academic in his approach, for me. no presence).