Lena C.

I came across this post on Instagram. Casting for “Of Love and Rage” hasn’t been announced yet but this lovely photo of Aran Bell and Catherine Hurlin is giving me hope! I’d love to see them dance this together.

Oh that's probably what she meant. I'm the one who asked about the spring. There's also the possibility of being an understudy.

On another note, I recently saw on Skylar Brandt's Instagram story that she reposted a fan congratulating her performance and saying that they couldn't wait to see her Giselle. I messaged Brandt, asking if that meant she was going to be debuting Giselle in the spring. She responded by saying that she doesn't know yet but she had her fingers crossed. So I guess that means there's still a decent chance that she might make her Giselle debut. Or maybe she's an understudy and hopes she'll get to go on. From her brief Giselle on that Russian T.V. show, I think she'd be a lovely Giselle.

Exactly. Who knows how comfortable she is now after that weak partnering in T&V. This is her dream role and she might be saddled with a partner who can't lift her. Let's hope our worrying is in vain and their performance goes off without a hitch.

Very true. It does seem telling that Cornejo has done a deep erasure of Lane from his Instagram, going back several years. While Lane still has posts like this up. Oh well.

Yes, I really hope they dance the new "Of Love and Rage" together. And that the tba on Lane's Sleeping Beauty turns out to be Simkin's debut. I so wish he was her Romeo.

That's all something to ponder. It's still months away and there's plenty of time for casting to be changed. I'm not too keen on the new "Of Love and Rage" but would definitely see a Lane/Simkin cast. I'd hope the tba on Lane's Sleeping Beauty was being held for Cornejo but given the breakup of their partnership, I'd gladly welcome Simkin. He certainly has the technical skills for that ballet. I hadn't thought of Simkin for T&V but now am really hoping he's cast, to see Lane perform it with a steady partner would entice me to buy a ticket. (At this point, I'll see any Lane performance regardless of partner. Who knows how many shows she had left. I'll see any Cornejo show with Brandt or Trenary. Still not sure how I feel about that bayadere with Boylston.)

The breakup of the Lane/Cornejo partnership is tragic but definitely spells more trouble for Lane. Cornejo has Copeland, Trenary and Brandt to dance with. Lane doesn't have such options. Simkin is part time but more like a one off guest artist and Gorak is a weak partner. I would like to see her dance with Hoven or Stearns, the latter were amazing in Some Assembly Required. But Stearns already has Seo and Teuscher. I did like Lane with Carlos Gonzalez.

Agreed. Sarah is an avid Instagram user, she posted tributes to both Simkin and Cirio when they left for Berlin and England respectively. Her lack of acknowledgment for Cornejo's anniversary, as well as her cryptic post on today of all days, indeed speaks volumes. It seems that their long partnership and warm friendship is over. Something catastrophic clearly happened between them. While I mourn the loss of the Lane/Cornejo partnership, I rejoice in his anniversary and look forward to his future performances with Trenary and Brandt. I hope he dances with Brandt more frequently, they were lovely in Corsaire.

Agreed...I guess if Lane does not present flowers onstage then her absence can be taken as a sign of discord. I'm really hoping that's not the case.

Actually that 2017 Lane/Simkin Giselle was planned, they'd already had a try out on tour in Oman. Kochetkova (?) got injured and Lane stepped in last minute to dance Giselle with Cornejo. (I distinctly rememer the warm post he dedicated to Lane on IG after their show. It's gone now, sadly.)

Ugh this is giving me such anxiety. I really hope we're all worrying over nothing. I guess tomorrow at the bouquet giving will give some insights. McKenzie's vendetta against Lane seems more likely than a catastrophic rift.

I have to say that I highly doubt this. McKenzie kept Cornejo from many romantic lead roles because of his bias against Cornejo's height. Cornejo himself has said that he had to prove his worthiness. This glaring lack of casting for Lane, her weak partner for her Juliet debut and only one performance, only one Giselle and a matinee time slot, again no Swan Lake despite proving herself last season, it all speaks volumes of McKenzie's bias against Lane. Lane has more than proved her worthiness. Who would seriously partner Boylston with Cornejo over Lane, as has been done for Bayadere? I don't want to believe that Cornejo and Lane no longer wish to dance together. They have such a warm, long partnership and friendship. They have only kind words for each other. Cornejo said in an interview this past summer that Lane is one of his favored, long term partners. She is smaller than Boylston and Trenary, Cornejo's partners for this spring. So size/height can't be to blame. Anyone who saw their magnificent Manon performances last Spring can attest to the brilliance of their partnership. What is there left to blame besides McKenzie and his vendetta against Lane? She can actually dance the steps/doesn't dumb down the choreography, she has amazing chemistry with Cornejo, she has many loyal fans here who all come to her performances. What else is there? Well, I posted this without reading the other comments. I'm so anxious that it does appear as though there was a falling out/rift between Lane and Cornejo. This greatly upsets me, as a devoted fan of their partnership. It must have been catastrophic to cause this degree of separation.

Hear, hear! I'll be at that performance worried about Gorak dropping Lane. That is not how we should feel at her debut. I can only hope he improves his upper body strength by then. Or a casting change. Lane has more than proven herself. She and Cornejo are a legendary partnership. By keeping them apart, McKenzie lessens Lane. He's phasing her out, her ability and worthiness be damned. I've lost all respect for him.

Oh God he is phasing Lane out!! I hadn't thought of Part but this is frighteningly similar. Giving Lane the weakest partner is all we need to know about McKenzie's attitude towards her. And on her debut no less! He knows what he's doing by denying Lane a decent partner and keeping her from Cornejo. Lane and Cornejo in RJ would be the highlight of the season and McKenzie seems determined to keep Lane back.

Correct me if I'm wrong but are Lane and Cornejo not cast together at all?

Fingers crossed indeed! I'd even take another Lane/Odile over nothing at all. With two performances you never know... I'm pretty shocked re Simkin. That one Giselle might as well be a quest artist appearance. I'd hoped for a RJ with Lane but at least they're together for Giselle...perhaps we'll see him in Love and Rage, it's right before Giselle. (And presumably why Giselle has been cut short.) Bell's promotion is a forgone conclusion but hopefully Forster is on the rise as well. With Simkin on the same level as Hallberg, ABT needs make principals more than ever.

The casting has me torn. Yes, Lane is finally getting her Juliet but with a lackluster partner. After their Manon, how could Lane not be put with Cornejo? Despite being one of the best Giselle's in the company, she's been put into the matinee. No Bayadere or Swan Lake. Lane, it seems, is definitely getting the short end of the stick this spring. And only one performance each of SB, RJ and Giselle. I just hope she's cast in Love and Rage. I'm happy that Brandt is getting her own Sleeping Beauty. But the fact that Trenary got the coveted Juliet as well as Bayadere and SB, says to me that Trenary is ahead of Brandt on track for promotion. I'm also thrilled for Forster, this could really be his season if all goes well. A promotion at the end wouldn't surprise me.

So the pairings Swan Lake Detroit are up and will be Devon and Cory, Isabella and Joo Won, Christine and Tom and Hee and Aran. I wonder if we will see a repeat at the met.

This is so bittersweet. Stella waited for so long to be promoted and now after only a few years she is retiring. She is one of the finest dancers in that company. I wish Marcelo could come back to dance with Stella in her farewell Giselle but I'm sure he'll be there to support her. Maybe even give her flowers. It'll probably be Whiteside though. This just became the not to miss performance of the season.

Oh well that's good to hear.

Very disappointing to hear about Lane's T and V last night. Her weak spot is definitely her nerves and having unfortunate poor partnering probably had an effect. However, I am happy to report that this afternoon's Some Assembly Required with Stearns was delightful. I wouldn't put Lane and Stearns together but they really work wonderfully well as a partnership. Lane seemed to shine with spark, spunk and confidence. With so many intricate lifts, she could depend on solid partnering from Stearns. There was no evidence of nerves in this performance. As for Stearns, I haven't really found him to emote much feeling in his dancing but he definitely brought something out with Lane today. This was certainly an exploration of the highs and lows of a relationship. I could see the playfulness, the frustration, the flirting, and more. They definitely fed off of each other, like two actors reacting together in a scene. Lane and Stearns are a very satisfying partnership. I hope to see them dance together more often. (I wasn't a big fan of Jane Eyre, but I'd run to see it with Lane and Stearns. Onegin as well.) Apollo was just okay. Ahn certainly has the makings of a principal dancer but, like Stearns, doesn't seem to emote much feeling. I could tell how hard he was working, focusing on the steps. He gave an okay performance. One issue I had was with the costumes of the muses. Much too short! Every time there was a lift, the skirt rode up, making it look like a shirt with tights. Even standing still, the edge of the skirt rested just above the bottom of the buttock. It was kind of distracting. Also, Stella got what looked like stage makeup on the back of her skirt. It was a rather large, light brown stain. With such short skirts, it was kind of noticeable. She did dance wonderfully though. Bell and Hurlin were thrilling in Let me sing forever more. So much joy, they were practically sparkling as bright as their costumes! This could have been longer, wish it was. I look forward to seeing them dance together again.

Well thank goodness there is still SOME level of quality maintained...management's decision to allow dancers to perform roles they cannot execute at the expected level, in favor of celebrity and political correctness is inexcusable. I'm sure this rule of the Balanchine Trust is the reason Lane is being rehearsed to understudy Copeland. Would absolutely love to see Lane in Apollo...if there's any hint that she will go on on will run to buy a last minute ticket.

Folks, I'm sorry to say that it has happened again...Sarah Lane has once again been demoted to Copeland's understudy. According to Shevchenko's Pointe Magazine takeover on Instagram stories, today (or yesterday rather) Copeland, Cornejo and Lane all had a rehearsal together for Apollo. Clearly Lane is understudying Copeland's part. Many of us thought it strange that Lane was not included in Cornejo's anniversary celebration. This reveal that Lane is once again being made to understudy Copeland indicates a strong possibility that management is behind Lane's absence from the anniversary. Management forced Lane to be Copeland's personal understudy last season and now it is happening again...clearly Lane can dance this role in Apollo. She is being kept from it deliberately for some strange reason. The argument that she is already dancing other roles doesn't hold up, because I'm sure she would rather be a part of Cornejo's anniversary. Despite Cornejo's fondness for Brandt and Trenary, I can't see him choosing them over his long partnership with Lane. Okay, rant over. I just get so frustrated when I see that Lane is still being held back. Perhaps all of this rant is completely off the mark, I don't have all the facts, but it rankles me when I see that Lane is again assigned Copeland's understudy. Why not another dancer? Why not give Lane the role herself? The link for a screenshot is below. https://mobile.twitter.com/bwayfangurl/status/1184701508627156992?s=21

Agreed Laurel. Management will continue to not prioritize Lane and stall her career. Would not surprise me at all this spring if she's denied her Juliet debut as well as her own Swan Lake. Will probably only get one show of whatever she's cast in, as well as matinee casting. I thought the AD would back off Lane on Herman's anniversary but oh well. Of course this is all speculation but hard to come up with a logical reason for Lane's absence. Yes, Lane is sadly shut out but Erica Cornejo more than makes up for it. Definitely makes the occasion more special.