Novice123

I've bought 6 flex shows and will buy the rest when casting info becomes available and for  any additional retirements.  This is the way. (My way at least).  

Ballet fans like to think they are progressive and liberal but not really.  

2 hours ago, Royal Blue said:

Ballet companies and dancers should certainly aim high, and audiences expect that they do. Virtually every program in my experience of watching New York City Ballet, nevertheless, provides a refutation of the witty dictum that "Ballet is only good when it is great." The art form would have a difficult time surviving if that were true. And who decides what is "great" anyway?

Wednesday evening's program consisted of Polyphonia, Barber Violin Concerto and The Times Are Racing. Each contains features to inspire and enchant, even if none in its totality can be described as a masterpiece. 

Watching Polyphonia was a breeze, on account first and foremost of the comeliness and splendid dancing of Unity Phelan and Indiana Woodward. Replacing Sara Mearns, Sara Adams exhibited affecting loveliness and gravitas in the pivotal sixth segment of the work. 

Yearning is as natural as breathing in humans, especially for the artistically inclined. And yearning permeates the music and conceit of Barber Violin Concerto. With the right cast, the substantive first and second sections of the ballet can be dramatic and moving. Unfortunately, notwithstanding his handsome appearance, elegance and strength, Preston Chamblee's football player-type build makes him appear unsuited for ballet. (Even in a work in which he impersonates a modern dance performer.) This is singularly distracting during the Taylor Swift phase of American popular culture history we are currently living through. With her long, lithe limbs, luscious blonde hair either up or down, and gorgeous countenance, Miriam Miller looked as stunning as ever without quite yet conveying the deep yearning and inner passion her role should ideally evoke. 

Although a peculiar work for New York City Ballet, The Times Are Racing never fails to thrill in the theater, no matter the cast. On Wednesday, the wonderful lines made by Peter Walker's tall frame were particularly impressive. Of course, the performances by Tiler Peck, Taylor Stanley, Kristen Segin, Mary Thomas MacKinnon, and the rest of the cast were delightful also. (Emilie Gerrity's physique is more symmetrical with the other two women than is Alexa Maxwell's, but that is a minor quibble.) Premiering only seven years ago, The Times Are Racing boasts one of the most rousing finales in New York City Ballet's repertory, which brought the evening to a stirring conclusion.   

I'm not a Taylor Swift fan, I don't listen to her music but she's to blame for the decline of ballet?  

15 minutes ago, abatt said:

Criticism, or backhanded compliments, belong in the rehearsal room, not the NY Times. 

Above, I was agreeing with a Ballet Alert post by someone who posts under the name On Pointe.  I was not referencing a publication by that name. 

So, as far as world knows, or those who reads the NY Times, everyone is simply "marvelous! Darling! simply marvelous!".

The expectation and desire by those in the "high" arts for less transparent, less open is fascinating.  Reminds me of the SNL skit "You look marvelous darling, simply marvelous".

3 hours ago, On Pointe said:

I've been impressed by Tiler Peck's choreography and I'm eager to see what she can do with a large cast.  But I didn't think it was necessary to include a discussion of her leading dancers' perceived shortcomings.  They are professionals,  not students,  and presumably they got where they are in the company because of what they can do,  not what they need to work on.  It puts the dancers in an uncomfortable position before the audience even sees the piece.

 

 

Pros have no weakness and have nothing to improve?

22 hours ago, BalanchineFan said:

I saw Erica Periera and Daniel Ulbricht in Nutcracker today. They gave a good show. Loads of children in the audience, like the other matinee I attended.

It was interesting to see the different choices they made. Ulbricht hangs in the air, rather than doing multiple beats on his cabrioles. It's clean and surprising. He just sails, airborne. Ashley Hod was lovely as Dewdrop. Sharp, clean and expansive. I remember her SPF from five years ago. She was nice then, but she's a different dancer, now.

I think I prefer this Marie and Prince. They seemed more ebullient, happy. Or maybe it's because school is out. One little Angel got a little behind and really took off to catch up.

I have never seen so many beautiful dresses for little girls. The audience is slaying.

I too saw Periera and Ulbricht in Nutcracker but it was NOT at NYCB!  They were guest artists for my local company.  Ulbricht has been guesting for many years and his Sugar Plum has always been another NYCB dancer so it is a treat.  I went to NYCB Nutcracker today (Saturday matinee) and the children were incredibly well behaved and very cute.  After the show you can see how excited they were.  Any dance performance that can get children to jump and spin is a good show.  I saw two little girls trying their version of the fish dive.  Maybe that was a bit risky.  

59 minutes ago, abatt said:

I'm not sure most businesses have public social media accounts that are viewed by hundreds of people per day, as I believe NYCB's is.  And employee of the month is frequently based upon objective criteria like sales figures or number of new clients brought in by the employee.  Judgement of a ballet performance is almost entirely subjective. 

Employee of the month decisions in corporate are not objective.  I work for a multi billion dollar company in IT, notable mentions, promotions, etc.  all have large subjective components.  Are we saying that subjective judgments should be kept private?  Does this mean all critique at rehearsals should also be made sotto voce so the rest of the company will not know what was said.  

On 12/16/2023 at 11:41 AM, abatt said:

I don't think Wendy is wrong to post about Bradley being the first African American woman to dance Dewdrop at the company.  But it is not appropriate for a manager to publicly comment on the quality of any employee's performance.  Does Wendy's silence on the debuts of other people in various roles this season mean that management was not happy with the work of those employees in their debuts?  Employee review and performance by management is a very sensitive topic best left to conversations in private, not in public social media posts by your managers. 

Managers internally praise their direct reports all the time.   Managers also externally praise their direct reports all the time.  It is not considered favoritism.  Employees of the month is a common practice where managers selected workers to be acknowledged.  They even post them publicly.  During and after a project, managers will direct praise on some workers.  I've praised and have received praised.  It is common practice in other industries.  Why would dance be different.  

On 10/25/2023 at 8:46 AM, Rick said:

I think the Met Opera gives free tickets to certain doctors for this reason. I’m surprised that ABT doesn’t have a similar policy. 

A few years back at the Met,  I sat next to one of these doctors.  She was called away and never returned.  

3 hours ago, FauxPas said:

Jake Roxander shared a charming and touching story on Instagram today.

It seems that his ABT Puck costume in "The Dream" runs in the family...

https://www.instagram.com/p/CybXuwgA2o3/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

That is a sweet story.

Haven't heard about this until I came across this article, link provided by balletcoforum.

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3236306/american-ballet-theatre-excited-about-return-china-november

Ok, I looked at ABT.org and they do list them on the ABT on Tour.  Not much publicity.

4 hours ago, California said:

ABT regularly has Company class on stage each season (fall and Met) for Friends. It's interesting in its own way and I normally attend if I'm in town. Not all the dancers seem to be there. Some only do the barre, then leave. It's fun to see corps members mixed with principals, all striving in the same routines. I think companies are always looking for little extras to offer Friends to get people to join/renew their donations.

ROH has similar for their Friends. They even post some on YT for everyone to watch. 

2 hours ago, Rose said:

No, I think their criticisms are true. They gave their heart and soul to that institution and it was their entire existence for a time. But many dancers were treated like cans of paint that were drying up and needed to be tossed or colors that weren't ever wanted at all. If, after everything that's said and done, and the years have rolled by, the final outcome is great joy and happiness for a memorable life-lived, then your experience wasn't that bad. It was mostly good. Just because you feel a certain way at a certain time doesn't mean you need to share it with the world and disparage an institution whose very existence is amazing in the first place. Maybe wait a few years, let the dust settle, and then decide how you really feel.

On another note, I think it's in extremely poor taste for Ashley Bouder to bring her daughter up on stage for the bow (and to the party on the promenade if she did that too, not sure). Just think if everyone brought their kids what a mad house it would be! I think this is another example of her narcissism -- the rules don't apply to her and her daughter is merely an extension of her own self. 

So, you're saying that they shouldn't have made those criticism public?  So, if somebody did you wrongly, your advice would be to wait a few years and see how you feel?   Are you saying that those dancers who showed up and posted positive posts on social media should now publicly say that they were wrong to criticized NYCB and that they are sorry for the harm they've caused to this "great institution"?  If so, I think I would follow Trump's example, and sue all these ex-dancers for defamation and make them penniless.  

3 hours ago, Rose said:

I find it disconcerting that a great number of former NYCB dancers who were very outspoken about the various problems that they have with NYCB as an institution and its negative impact on their life, gushed on Instagram about how proud they are to have been part of such an amazing legacy. I can imagine that its thrilling (and frankly, ego-boosting) to be honored as an alumnus of such a select group. That (and a deep reverence for Balanchine) was likely the draw to attend such a momentous occasion. However, this behavior is the epitome of talking out of both sides of your mouth. 

Are you implying that their criticisms were falsely made?

The rally starts 6:30pm.  https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Musicians-of-the-New-York-City-Ballet-Orchestra-to-Rally-for-a-Fair-Contract-in-Front-of-Lincoln-Center-on-Opening-Night-20230913

Who got tickets for Fall for Dance 2023?  I went online yesterday and my queue was in the 3800's.  Yikes!  I dropped out, when outside.  Came back around 3pm and got tickets.  Some of them are way of the side and I'll be lucky to see 2/3 of the stage but can't complain.  Programs 1-3 appears to be more sold than 4 and 5 based on the seat locations assigned to me.  

9 hours ago, Balletwannabe said:

Okay I'll take this bet, except I really would prefer you not send me your legs if I win.

If I change the bet to one arm and one leg, would you accept them if I lose?

15 hours ago, miliosr said:

These two lines stand out from the New York City Ballet's statement:

"A primary issue during the negotiations has been the musicians' refusal to make reasonable contributions for healthcare benefits" (2nd paragraph)

"NYCB has also offered to . . . make a 3% wage increase for the 2023-24 season." (5th paragraph)

Company management and the union may have very different definitions of the word "reasonable" in this context. Any health care increase at all would automatically reduce that 3% wage increase. How much of a health care "contribution" (read: actual reduction in the proposed wage increase) the company management is asking for only they and the union know.

The union has every incentive to hold out. Every week with canned music - or no weeks at all - won't make for much of a 75th anniversary. And everyone knows it.

I will bet both of my legs that the health care contribution will be higher than the 3% wage increase.  Does anyone want to take my bet.  If I lose, I'll send you my legs, nice cut and frozen.  

On 9/2/2023 at 5:20 PM, sanity said:

Idk, this gives "the customer is always right" energy. You paid for seats so you...get to dictate how someone's career goes? You paid for seats so...if the performance isn't stellar she must be sidelined indefinitely? I would hope management takes other things into account; the fact she's a principal, how long she's been at the company, or, I don't know...that she's a person and a coworker and deserves basic compassion and respect. this whole thing really grinds my gears. i joined this board yesterday just to comment this. Why not root for her recovery and success until we receive information otherwise? There's a really nasty undertone (honestly, OVERtone) to the discussion about Bouder.

And for what it's worth, I'd love for larger dancers to join NYCB. There is a massive untapped world of fantastic ballet dancers out there who could do all of NYCB's repertoire justice, who were never given opportunities or advanced training or apprenticeships because of their bodies.

Why is ballet dying, why is classical music dying, why is Opera dying?  Why are all of these "high art" forms dying even though they are supported by self-identified NYC liberals?  I believe the answer is self-evident.

FYI, I tried using my DTH email with link to Sept 30th again and this time I was able to get through.  There are quite a few seats up on the 4th ring.  I had already purchased for Oct 1st, hence I didn't buy.  So, keep trying because my code was flakey.  It didn't work earlier but working now.  Perhaps the 4th ring was not opened earlier today and NYCB has opened up  the 4th ring?  I didn't see available seats in the lower rings.

I received an email from DTH with a special code for Sept 30th but it didn't work.  Appeared to be sold out.  I have ticket for Oct 1st and have plans for the 30th but was curious if that code had worked because the email from DTH said that this is a special offer from NYCB to DTH members and the offers is good until April 13th.  I though deadline was so long ago, why am I receiving it now from DTH.

Update on the Service Fee charged for tickets during the advance window.  As some members here have noted, some subscribers were charged 8$ service fee per ticket.  I called customer support and will be refunded the $8 per tickets.  However, the Nutcracker ticket was charged the $8 service fee.  The customer care person said that all Nutcracker tickets will have the service fees.  

22 hours ago, cobweb said:

Thanks, @California, for pointing out the "Add to Apple Wallet" option. Last year I found some tickets showed up with a barcode online and I was able to use Apple Wallet, but for some shows there was no barcode and I had to go with a regular paper ticket. I hope this is an option ongoing for all tickets. 

I do this for all ticket regardless of how I wanted my tickets to be delivered.  Go to manage ticket and email a copy to myself.  I would open the email and view the pdf.  I would do a screen shot on the pdf.  Now I have a screenshot of the ticket and I would open the file on my phone to be scanned.  Previous years the Nutcracker ticket was paper only but this year, Print at Home was allowed.  Much better.  

It seems like experiences online varied. What I did was I didn't use incognito mode.  I clicked on double horizontal line icon on the top left (above the ticket icon).  Once clicked, it expanded to show me the different "seasons" I would mouse over it and it would further expand to show me the programs within the season and I would select the program, purchase my ticket, clicked on continue shopping and repeat the process.  At no time did I use the dreaded back arrow.