JanLevNYC

On 9/29/2019 at 2:45 PM, NinaFan said:

It looks like we could not be on more opposite ends of the spectrum with regard to this ballet.  I've always loved the dancing and the pure spectacle of Union Jack.  I saw the Saturday matinee and it blew me away as usual.   The entire cast was superb and the ballet was danced brilliantly.  None of it felt dated to me.  It’s all pomp and circumstance with a military tattoo a la Balanchine.  These military tattoos still go on today.  As far as the Costermonger pdd, it was never meant to be contemporary.  It’s a take off on 19th century British music hall period piece humor which Balanchine captured perfectly.  But to each his/her own.   I can never get enough of this ballet, and hope it’s not too long before they perform it again.

So happy to read this post.  Union Jack is one of so many examples of Balanchine's genius on every level - technicality, humor, showmanship, humility, musicality and just plain 'crowd pleasing'. What a treat to see Andy Veyette and Meghan Fairchild dancing together!!!   I have seen every program this season and it's always a pleasure to see this ballet again and again.  It is a celebration of the man (and Rosemary Dunlevy - see photo posting by company members) and his great spirit in his theatre!  Which brings me to the balance of the majority of performances I have seen this season.  And I want to reference Alastair Macaulay's reviews, as well.    NYCB needs to step up their game.  Yes, there have been transitions and the world is also changing.  But Ballet is Ballet.  And greatness is greatness.  And right now there are dancers that are doing a great job but there are problems with many dancers and their technique, their performance quality (or lack of) and this casting the same people night after night.  The theatre is half full more days than not - why go if it's the same dancers and same show - how boring.  The new Liang piece was pleasing - the partnering was very beautiful and danced exceptionally.  But the new Lovette's piece was so bad it's not worth discussing.  Poor Mr. B, in his house.  Why not being in Tywla if you want a woman choreographer - you cannot do better!  To make matter worse, some NYCB dancers are performing with their faces looking like they are angry or scared or in pain or even talking to themselves (Olivia MacKinnon, and they keep casting her up the ladder?? really?) which is a sign of an immature performer!  Alastair questioned the daily training.  Maybe that is it.  But honestly I believe there is no fear of competition to do better.  You can review the casting posting and feel like the administration is going to cast the same people over and over.  So why try harder?  The company has a several corp members whose technique is outstanding and their faces shine every show who are not being cast - Ghaleb Kayali, Christopher Grant, Laine Habony, Isabella LaFriennere, Alton McGill come to mind immediately.  And why are they passed over for featured roles?  There is no doubt the company as a whole is amazing and most definitely ballet has matured over the course of my lifetime.  But NYCB is better than this and should be.  I wish them a great remainder of the season and let's hope we see a quantum leap for Nutcracker season.

On 9/10/2019 at 3:21 PM, nanushka said:

That's still week 1, isn't it? Week 2 does not seem to be up yet.

That's what I get for looking at the computer without my glasses.  Thank you for catching that.

14 hours ago, tutu said:

Really excited for this. Farley’s so, so good at these kinds of discussions — extremely knowledgeable, does his research, and has a great voice and presence. 

Agreed.  And Silas did an outstanding job this past summer at MOMA.  He has a natural curiosity for dance history and is proving himself as a becoming scholar.  Easy to imagine from a young man who turned down several ivy league scholarships to dance.  Bravo for him.

On 9/10/2019 at 4:52 PM, bellawood said:

On Jovani Furlan's Instagram stories he says, due to a casting change, he will be debuting in DGV on the 18th with Ashley Bouder — I guess Harrison Ball is out? I hope it’s nothing serious as he had an incredible spring.

I am very excited about the addition of Jovani - I saw him perform at the Nantucket Dance festival a few years back and he was lovely.  I hope NYCB finds more tall men to fill the roster soon, as well.  

She was so lovely to watch.  I had the pleasure of photographing her in 1967.  What a sad day for us all.

On 9/8/2019 at 1:42 PM, ECat said:

Welcome @JanLevNYC!!

Thank you very much ~Jan

https://www.nycballet.com/NYCB/media/NYCBMediaLibrary/PDFs/Press/Casting/NYCB-Casting_September-17-22-2019.pdf

2nd week casting is up. 

Is Laine Habony injured?  I was very surprised she was not cast in the pas de trois in Emeralds for the first week and I do not see her cast in a Raymonda variation - what a shame.   I am sure I saw that Olivia McKinnon and Laine Habony did the Emeralds pas de trois with Spartak Hoxha in Greece this past summer on Instagram so why switch to Hutsell, who does not seem right for the role to me.  I am very happy to see Hod back from her injury.  Hopefully we will see Alexa Maxwell back again soon - always delightful.  Alston MacGill was out for a long time, as well.  She has nice technique but very boring to watch.  

My name is Janice and I live on the UWS.  I am a retired 'everything'  in the work world, but in my younger-self life I was a freelance photographer for ballet dancers - including ABT, NYCB and more.  I have had the priviledge of photographing some very famous dancers and will treasure that forever.

I am an avid ballet goer and hope to read up on some great opinions and share a few of my own.

Best to you all.