GB1216

I definitely think it’s an interesting topic around NYCB and homegrown choreographic talent.  Obviously Justin peck is the shining example of how it can be done when the talent and support is there.  On the flip side we now have Lauren Lovette who didn’t have the support.  Tiler Peck is also choreographing more at Vail and now with Boston Ballet.  I wonder how things will pan out internally for the future of dancers who also want to choreograph.  

Lauren did an interview with fjord review discussing her departure from nycb.  Very interesting as it seems that she didn’t have a great experience with the new administration.  Also discusses her SL a bit that it was PM that wanted her in it.  I’m kind  of surprised she’s coming out now with this information - what’s the point since she’s moving on in a new direction?

57 minutes ago, canbelto said:

First week of casting is up:

https://www.nycballet.com/season-and-tickets/principal-casting

Interesting that it’s all the same casts.  I wonder if they are doing a pod approach or some kind due to Covid. 

12 hours ago, California said:

For those who were wondering where Sara Mearns has been, she just posted an Instagram with a long caption:

Hi guys…It’s been a while…
First off, I want to say Thankyou to all the kind messages I’ve gotten these past few months that I’ve been away. I debated whether or not to talk about what I’ve been going thru and why I’ve been away. although it might not seem like it sometimes, I’m actually a very private person when it comes to me. but the more I thought about it, the more it seemed appropriate because maybe it would help someone else. Without getting into too much detail, in October of last year, i was diagnosed with depression and extreme burnout. I sought out the help of an incredible sports psychologist, and we both agreed that if I were to continue down the path I was on, that it would be dangerous for me as an athlete and as a person. With the amazing support of @nycballet, @jonathanstafford_nycb @marikadancerx, we made the decision for me to step away from dance and get better. This is never something I saw happening to me, I thought I was invincible, that maybe I was just tired, that maybe it’s just a phase, and to get over it. I’m here to tell you it a very real thing, and mental health is not something to just put on the back burner. Burnout is a very real thing no matter how it happens & can be very dangerous if not taken care of. I’ve also learned that I am not alone, & that all humans will most likely experience this in their life. I was embarrassed, nervous, sad, and in shock but I know this had to happen for me to realize that I have to come first. My well being has to be priority. It took me a long time to be ok to see people, to be in the studio again with a healthy happy outlook. but I’m happy to say that today I was back in the NYCB studios having the time of my life. My journey with mental health is just beginning, & it’s still day by day right now, but I hope in being open & vulnerable about it, it might help someone else. Love you all, and I can’t wait for the winter season to start on Jan 27! Pictured here w/ the incredible @gonzalogarcia79, taken by @mfairchild17, so lucky to have these two in my life, Thankyou for everything. #ballerina #mentalhealthawareness #itsokaynottobeokay #nycballet

https://www.instagram.com/p/CYnIhgMO2GK/

Bravo to Sara! I think we all know her devotion to the craft, so it must have been very hard for her to consciously step away.  The mind is a very powerful thing and needs to be taken care of as well.  Good for her for getting help and coming back!  An excellent example.

Oh wow re: Gretchen! She seemed like such a mainstay.  I always wondered about her career progression.  She was in the corps for such a long time but seemed to build relationships across the company.  I hope she’s excited for whatever is next.

I’ve never seen the Balanchine swan lake, so would love to see it.

I hated the martins version.  I saw tiler peck’s debut and she was fabulous, but the production was horrible.  Stafford has some real opportunities to replace this SL and Martins’ sleeping beauty as well.  I saw that many moons ago and remember being underwhelmed.  

I wonder about diamonds.  Sara Mearns would be first cast now that Maria is retired, but she still seems to be MIA (hope she’s ok).  Who else does it? Tess Reichlin I think.  But maybe a debut there as well? 

6 minutes ago, canbelto said:

Sara has now been replaced by Ashley Laracey for next week's SPF assignment as well.

She’s been super quiet on social as well these past few weeks.  Hope everything is ok and it’s not too serious.

I wonder what’s going on with Misty Copeland. She’s the only principal not cast in any performance.  I looked on her IG, and she’s heavily promoting another book, but I didn’t see anything about injury or anything.  

Went to this afternoon’s performance!!! All in all I loved it.  Boylston was great as well as Whiteside, while Katherine Williams was fabulous as Myrta.  The mad scene especially I thought was quite good.  The audience was also very much with them - it was as an enthusiastic crowd as I’ve ever been in.

the only negative was the peasant pas - it was just bad.  I’m not an expert but even I could tell they were struggling.  She fell out of point, looked stiff and it looked like he was struggling with turns - not good partnering.  Also, I’ve heard so much hype about Gabe Stone Shayer and was not as impressed as I thought I would be.  

too bad it’s the last show - would have loved to go back for more!

side note: Jennifer Garner and Victor Garber were sitting not far from us in the orchestra.  Love that she’s a ballet lover.

20 minutes ago, susanger said:

Here's the list as I can figure: Abi Stafford, Unity Phelan, Tiler Peck, Megan Fairchild, Teresa Reichlen, Sterling Hyltin (in costume), Sara Mearns, Anthony Huxley, Jared Angle, Andrew Veyette, Daniel Ulbricht, Joseph Gordon, Adrian Danchig-Waring, Russell Janzen, Taylor Stanley, Ask la Cour (in costume), Tyler Angle (in costume), Gonzalo Garcia, Amar Ramasar, Justin Peck, Jonathan Stafford, Wendy Whelan, Jock Soto, Christopher Wheeldon, Robbie Fairchild, Jenifer Ringer, Charles Askegard, Rebecca Krohn, Glenn Keenan, Craig Hall, Damian Woetzel, ???, ???, ???, Jean-Pierre Frolich, Stella Abrera, ???, Philip Neal, Edwaard Liang, Jason Fowler, her son, and her husband, Martin Harvey.

Hmmm. No Ashley Bouder, Indiana Woodward, or Lauren Lovette.

Heather watts posted a picture with Carla Korbes quoting that Maria had brought them all together.  I think she was one of the dancers that we can’t identify.  Not 100% sure of course.

and yes curious about the three missing! I noticed that neither Bouder nor Lovette posted either. 
 

also what a long way Tiler Peck and Robbie Fairchild have come.  I know Tiler did not come for Robbie’s farewell but they were on the same stage last night for Maria’s farewell.  What a tangled web backstage - former marriages, former in laws, new gfs - all in the same place! 

Really nice piece on Maria from the Times

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/15/arts/dance/maria-kowroski-retires-from-new-york-city-ballet.html

Oh that’s so sad re: Bouder.  I’ve noticed that she has been rather quiet on IG this season - usually she is much more active on there.  I saw her on the 23rd in Serenade and thought she was still working on getting back into performance shape.  It’s a hard road! 

14 hours ago, vipa said:

I wouldn't assume anything!

It’s true - who knows! 
after thinking about it - it could also refer to the overall life of a ballet company - the strain, the pressure, the striving for perfection.  So many ways to take a single comment - only Lauren knows the true reason behind it.

 I do really enjoy her IG as a whole personally.

1 hour ago, mille-feuille said:

I noticed that too. 😬

Same! I want to assume that she is referring to the previous administration and not the current.

1 hour ago, abatt said:

No.  DGV was originally made for the Royal Ballet.  I think Maria wants to make sure she pays tribute to Wheeldon, who played an important role in her career and gave her the opportunity to work with his company Morphoses during its brief  but glorious existence.

Ah that makes sense! Thanks for the context.

Is slaughter a role that Kowroski is known for? I always associate her more with diamonds and such. 
 

and also DGV? I’m assuming it was made on her.  

Tonight was a wonderful night at the ballet!

Serenade - such a luminous piece.  It just had everything.  I felt that Sterling stole the show.  You couldn’t not be moved by her.  LeCrone was quite good as the Dark Angel.  Oddly enough, Bouder was good but I think still getting her feet.  She wasn’t quite as fast as I’m used to seeing her.

Pulcinella - what a happy ballet! Everything about it was cheerful and all of the dancers were shining - most especially Sara Mearns and Tiler Peck. 
 

Glass Pieces - Unity Unity Unity.  She was fabulous in the second movement which was her debut.  I enjoyed the second and third movement the most.  First movement was good but the music started to grate on me after awhile.  

All in all a wonderful night! 
 

we were also there right at 6:30 and there was no line for clear/excelsior. So we went right in.

I am attending tonight….can’t wait!!! 

Just got tickets for the September 23rd production of the classic nycb I program.  So excited to see ballet live again and have never seen serenade which made me choose it.  Curious to see who is going to be cast.

Was just looking at casting and Katherine Williams is getting two performances of Myrta.  Due to schedule I think I’m going to catch the Boylston/Whiteside performance.  
 

does anyone know anything about Williams as a dancer or boylston/whiteside interpretation of Giselle? 

I think we are definitely at a turning point when it comes to dancing + retirement.  Before it was really dancing until they couldn’t any longer - till the bitter end.  Now there is a shift with wanting to do more.  I feel Robbie Fairchild was the first to really step away from ballet to pursue film, etc.  Now Lovette for choreography.  I’m sure there are others too that I can’t think of right now, but I find it very interesting! 

Speaking of subscriptions, curious to see what people have opted for (standard vs. flex, which programs?) I haven’t gotten a subscription in awhile but want to this year to support.  My friend and I are likely going to buy one but back and forth on what to choose! 

Not sure if this the correct place to put this post or if it is already discussed elsewhere, but did anyone see the auction that the dancers put together to raise funds? Some very interesting pieces.  Personally, I bought a ticket to attend the Heather Watts talk for $25.00.

https://www.32auctions.com/dancersofnycb 

2 hours ago, miliosr said:

The company definitely has an age problem with its male principals. Not only are Ask la Cour and Gonzalo Garcia retiring but they have another cohort of dancers who will be at or near 40 by fall 2021:

Jared Angle -- apprentice (1998)/corps (1998)

Amar Ramasar -- apprentice (2000)/corps (2001)

Daniel Ulbricht -- apprentice (2000)/corps (2001)

Andrew Veyette -- apprentice (2000)/corps (2000)

Didn’t realize that Daniel Ulbricht started at that time.  He has such a young face and jubilant demeanor - especially compared to Veyette.