MoMo

43 minutes ago, cobweb said:

Thank you, @matilda and @OnPointe! This can't be good for ABT. I hope they can turn things around.

I think her timing is poor. One week before Met Season and NYC debut of Like Water for Chocolate. Why now and not after Season was over? What’s the rush? 

7 hours ago, FauxPas said:

There is a lot of talent coming up in the ranks.  Soloist slots opened up because three or four years ago Kevin McKenzie promoted a bunch of long time soloists (few of them that young) to principal.  I think we can all agree that some of them should have remained soloists.  Then the pandemic hit and everyone's career was put on hold - for two years.  Not good if you are a new principal or soloist who waited over ten years and is now sitting on your tuchus watching the time go by and opportunities lost in what is a very short career.  Everyone has been negatively impacted by the sudden promotions out of nowhere with little experience or coaching behind them as well as the enforced hiatus.  Also the lack of decent coaching is a continuing, egregious problem at ABT and it impacts everyone at every level of the company.

Female Soloists:

Breanne Granlund:  Promoted last season.  What I saw of her I liked a lot.  She shows intelligence and sensitivity and could be another versatile all-rounder as competent in Petipa as Tharp, Tudor, et al.  Too soon to make any solid judgments but she got off to a good start, got herself noticed and I hope she keeps going in the same direction.

Chloe Misseldine:  I see the star quality.  I am glad they moved FAST on her since, face it, new talent and blood is DESPERATELY needed.  I think Chloe came along at the right time.  She is the type and she has the support from ABT and her mother to make good on her promise quickly.

SunMi Park:  She is definitely a bright light onstage and her technique is excellent.  Again she got promoted practically immediately after joining the corps.  I am glad to see some people move quickly up ranks rather than stall permanently in the corps - I think we can name many we wish had been promoted quicker and given opportunities who just faded away.  Or into other avenues like Gemma Bond.

Zhong-Jing Fang:  We were all raving about Fang two decades ago.  She was given a shot in "Symphonic Variations" and was exquisite.  Then she was stalled in the corps going nowhere for over a decade.  Then time, injuries and promotions left open slots unfilled at the soloist level and Fang was one of the few with the goods to step in.  And she was as lovely as we all knew she would be who had been following her for years.  However, it was late.  She also took time off to have a baby.  As the Queen of the Dryads in "Don Quixote" she struggled with the Italian fouettés.  They waited too long - too busy keeping Stella Abrera back and pushing Hee Seo forward.  I wish Fang would get one Giselle before she is retired but that may be a ship that sailed as well.  Give her a year or two and then let her decide when to leave.

Betsy McBride:  Betsy was a principal dancer at Texas Ballet Theater until 2015, when she joined ABT in the corps.   She has a bright personality, some stage presence and solid technique.  Not sure if she is principal material but she is a very positive presence in the company.  Keep shining that light.

Katherine Williams:  A lovely dancer with not a lot of personality but a beautiful technique.  Rather reliable and capable.  Probably not principal material but I am always pleased to see her name in the program.

Luciana Paris:  Over 40, also had a kid.  Hasn't been dancing on pointe much last few seasons.  Looked dreadful last season when she was put on in a classical ballerina role like like the Peasant PDD in "Giselle".  Promoted to soloist practically at the age most corps members retire.  Seems to be working at the JKO School according to other members of this board.  She does have a lot of temperament and personality onstage.  I think she is a tricky proposition right now as there may not be a lot of repertory for her.  Again I see retirement sooner than later.  Maybe she can segue into character roles like Berthe and just keep on that way in cameos.  Maybe this should be her last season and then go behind the scenes.

Male Soloists:

Blaine Hoven:  Blaine is 37 years-old now.  He joined the studio company in 2003 and then went into the corps in 2004.  He was promoted to soloist in 2016.  He has been really up and down the last several years.  He has had a few seasons (pre-pandemic) where he looked out of shape and uninterested.  He has also gotten back into shape and form in recent years.  Last season at the Met, he was a bit uneven with some sloppy landings but otherwise looked okay.  There is a shortage of experienced male soloist (and principal) dancers.  Blaine's experience and knowledge of the repertoire needs to count for something.  I would see how his body holds up for a season or two and then it will be time for retirement.

Gabe Stone-Shayer:  Gabe also has been up and down and last season looked down - uninterested, sloppy, weird dyed hair and just not all there.  He also seems to be exploring other avenues than classical ballet.  I suspect he feels/felt that he was stuck in a plateau by McKenzie who wasn't interested in developing or promoting him.  Took a long time to make it to soloist.  Of course that attitude is a self-fulfilling prophecy:  they won't promote you or give you opportunities if you aren't delivering or seem like you are just doing the minimum to get by.  Gabe is at a crossroads and hopefully Susan Jaffe will find creative solutions and opportunities to get him more into the game and fully utilizing his great talent.

Joseph Gorak:  A sad case.  Joe, it breaks my heart but you may need to go.  You are a lovely solo dancer but you couldn't even lift the smallest ballerina in the company, Sarah Lane, in "Theme and Variations".  No upper body strength and your partnering has room for improvement.  He has been tried out in leads for years and just hasn't risen to the occasion - mainly due to partnering issues.  Gorak is 33 years-old and has been with the company since 2009, soloist since 2014.  If it was going to happen, it would have happened by now.  He was used much less than usual in the 2022 Met season.

Sung Woo Han:  What little I saw of him in Spring/Summer 2022, I was very impressed with.  I know nothing about him but I want to see more - which I cannot say about many other dancers at ABT.  Someone to watch and I am glad his promotion will create opportunities to see more of him.

Not a very strong group, several near retirement age or past it.  Then freshly promoted kids just out of the corps.  Of the females, only Chloe Misseldine shows star quality.

Corps Dancers:

We have been talking about a bunch of them.  We have our favorites.

Of the Men:  

Jarod Curley - versatile, dances big and strong, can do character roles and classical dancing in various styles.  Very much an MVP last season.  I think he is next in line to make soloist.

Luigi Crispino - beautiful line and physical grace.  A little androgynous in manner but beautiful to look at.  Gorgeous training.  Give him more.

Jonathan Klein - totally looked like a soloist on the rise as Mercutio last season at the Met.  Physically beautiful.  Definitely should be promoted almost immediately.  More please - much, much more.

Carlos Gonzalez and Tyler Maloney were already being given leads and major opportunities by Alexei Ratmansky.  Then both got severe injuries and have been out a long time.  Both seem to be recovered.  Both are also prime candidates for promotion, especially Gonzalez who is more of the premier danseur type physically.  Maloney is more demi-caractere.

Two dancers who had a shot a decade or more ago, left to go into real estate and came back in the corps:  Eric Tamm was being marked for bigger things at ABT.  He was dancing leads in Balanchine ballets.  Then started the real estate business with Ribagorda and left the business.  Recently came back.  Ribagorda came back earlier to stay close to his wife, Sarah Lane.  Both Ribagorda and Tamm had lots of stage charisma, good looks and classical dancing ability.  I think it is too late for both of them and it would have been better if they stayed in the company.  Tamm in particular was going places when he left.

Patrick Frenette - finally getting some soloist roles and looking wonderful in them.  Again - more please.  He is totally the danseur noble type and would be (has been?) adorable as Benvolio and eventually could be Romeo.  Keep the soloist parts coming ABT.

Jake Roxander and Cameron McCune both danced Neapolitan in the "Swan Lake" Act III divertissements last season.  Both looked great and very much potential soloists.  Roxander is very new, McCune more experienced and older.  Both very handsome and well-built.  McCune is heavily into fitness.  I think both have great potential.

Jose Sebastian is now veteran corps and has been given lots of solo parts including Purple Pimp Rothbart in SL.  He seems capable and ready for more.

Cy Doherty is very new, just out of the Studio Company.  Very tall and expressive onstage, he really impressed me in the mime role of Don Quixote in the full Don Q last season.  I honestly thought he was an old retired dancer or actor hired for the role - one of the best I've seen.  He looks very promising and should be given both soloist and mime roles like Prince Gremin in "Onegin" if that ever comes back.  Tybalt in R&J.  And I want to see more of his classical dancing.

Melvin Lawovi was striking in some contemporary works last season and then was just thrown away.  Wasn't given enough to do.  He should not be cast aside because he isn't conventional looking.  He has an interesting way of moving and great individuality but may be a tricky fit in a mainly classical ballet company.  We need to see more of him.  Use your minds and find stuff for him, ABT.

Elwince Magbitang is clearly being groomed to take over the demi-caractere bravura solos like the Bronze Idol in Bayadere (not like the complete ballet will show up any time soon).

Kento Sumitani also caught my eye with his strong technique.

The Women:

Zimmi Coker - we all love her and she is a bright light.  Let's hope she gets many more roles and a promotion.

Erica Lall - a real joy of dance comes through with her.

Paulina Waski - seems to be shuttling between Boston Ballet and ABT.  She has been given solos.  Last season she seemed a bit tired and fragile.  Definitely a beauty ready to take flight.  Needs careful coaching and support.

Léa Fleytoux - another beauty I could see soaring in bigger roles.  She also sparkles onstage like Zimmi Coker.  More please.

Fangqi Li caught my eye often last Spring.  She needs more stage time.  Let's see her develop.

Scout Forsythe - she seems to be doing great stuff as a freelancer outside of the company.  I have seen her in just a few bit parts.  There is more stuff on the internet on her YouTube and Instagram that suggest she has a lot of potential as a classical ballerina.  They need a tall ballerina with authority.  I say start grooming her for bigger things.  She has been mostly in the ensemble corps.

In the studio company new apprentice Elisabeth Beyer seems a very, very accomplished ballerina already but that is from seeing YouTube and Instagram clips online.  A candidate for a Chloe Misseldine overnight rise to stardom.  

Thank you for the time you took to write what are essentially “performance evaluations “, as they were called with my employer, before I retired. ( Not in the entertainment industry). I agree about Jarod Curley, Carlos González and Patrick Frenette. They performed well last season and I was disappointed they weren’t promoted. Patrick Frenette was wonderful as Hilarion, Benvolio and Pas de Trois in SL. He also received great notices in OLAR. He definitely has “princely” demeanor. I believe Zimmi is due for promotion as well. She has been cast as Gertrudis  in LWFC, which will be perfect for her. And Erica Lall, is a shining light in everything she does. You can’t take your eyes off her when she is onstage. I also agree about Joey Gorak and Gabe Stone Shayer. Time to move on. Thank you. 

1 hour ago, abatt said:

How were Tuescher and Ahn?

Devon was excellent. Ahn is a good dancer but not a good actor. This part requires Pedro to be passionate. He did not convey that, imo. 

7 hours ago, nysusan said:

ABT website has been updated. Its Brandt/Gonzalez on the 26th and I am buying a ticket!

I saw LWFC on April 1st, with Tuescher and Ahn. I  am very excited for Carlos and Skylar. Carlos was excellent as the “Revolutionary “ in the production I saw. Good for Susan Jaffe for casting them. 

32 minutes ago, AG said:

My guess would be Etudes (which would be fantastic news!).

Oh, that would be wonderful! ABT hasn’t performed that in years. They have the dancers who could do it. 

I saw Dress Rehearsal/Tech Rehearsal of Like Water for Chocolate yesterday , 3/29. ABT rehearsed Act I twice with different casts. The ballet has clever sets and lighting. The stage crew has to be on their toes! It helped to read the synopsis before the ballet. This ballet has a complex story and intricate steps. The choreography is not classical. But to me resembled Anthony Tudor/Pillar of Fire. There is much emotion and feeling in this ballet. But the dancer/actors are up to the task. Music was by a solo piano but performances will have SoCal’s Pacific Symphony.  I will be seeing full ballet on Saturday, April 1st matinee. 

1 hour ago, Kamicos said:

Yes, I had the same reaction at the time of the promotions last year. Although I to think that the new blood is going to be great for ABT, and that both Park and Misseldine have great promise, I also believe that dancing in the corps de ballet, for at least two seasons, is particularly good experience and conveys that the promotion has been earned. These promotions, I thought, were premature and took president over those who, in my opinion, were more deserving one of whom, was Zimmi Coker. I was also perplexed that there were no male promotions save one. I truly hope that Jaffe recognizes the talent and promise that Coker brings and that her time for a promotion has come! 

 

I agree about the promotions. IMO there at least four male Corps members who deserved promotions and didn’t receive them : Patrick Frenette, Jarod Curley. Carlos González and Tyler Maloney. This is based on their extensive good work last year. I hope Susan Jaffe looks at these dancers closely this year. 

5 hours ago, DPell said:

Casting for the Segerstrom run of Like Water For Chocolate is up on ABT's site and The Segerstrom site.

3/29 Cassandra Trenary (Tita), Herman Cornejo (Pedro),  Christine Shevchenko (Elena), Hee Seo (Rosaura),  Catherine Hurlin (Gertrudis), Cory Stearns (Dr. John Brown) 

3/30 SunMi Park* (Tita), Daniel Camargo (Pedro), Zhong-Jing Fang (Elena), Chloe Misseldine (Rosaura), Skylar Brandt (Gertrudis), Calvin Royal III (Dr. John Brown) 

3/31 Cassandra Trenary (Tita), Herman Cornejo (Pedro), Christine Shevchenko (Elena), Hee Seo (Rosaura), Catherine Hurlin (Gertrudis), Cory Stearns (Dr. John Brown) 

4/1 Matinee Devon Teuscher (Tita), Joo Won Ahn (Pedro), Christine Shevchenko (Elena), Betsy McBride (Rosaura), Catherine Hurlin (Gertrudis), Thomas Forster (Dr. John Brown)  

4/1 Evening SunMi Park (Tita), Daniel Camargo (Pedro), Zhong-Jing Fang (Elena), Chloe Misseldine (Rosaura), Skylar Brandt (Gertrudis), Calvin Royal III (Dr. John Brown) 

4/2 Cassandra Trenary (Tita), Herman Cornejo (Pedro), Christine Shevchenko (Elena), Hee Seo (Rosaura), Catherine Hurlin (Gertrudis), Cory Stearns (Dr. John Brown) 

Very excited for this casting. I have tickets for Matinee 4/1, purchased before casting announced. Interesting interview of Christopher Wheeldon in current March issue of Dance magazine. 

Waiting  for casting to be published for Like Water for Chocolate. ABT will be premiering it March29-April 2nd, at Segerstrom in Costa Mesa.  I have seen a few rehearsal scenes on Instagram: Herman Cornejo and Cassie Trenary. Also Devon Tuescher and Joo Won Ahn. Skylar Brandt showed a scene with Jose Sebastian with a fabulous lift! 

1 hour ago, ABT Fan said:

How much longer can Murphy hang on as a principal? It’s possible she could retire before Copeland returns, which would open up a Juliet spot (&O/O, Giselle, etc). But, the partner issue remains. Copeland was scheduled to dance R&J with Royal pre-covid. I don’t know if Cornejo can hang on long enough for her return, although he has been having a great run lately. I think the reason Brandt hasn’t been given a Juliet yet is a lack of suitable partners to go around. 

I agree. The number of male partners is lacking and in my opinion there aren’t enough male soloists, who could partner. 

I didn’t document my question correctly. I meant to say how are they going to cast Juliet when Misty comes back? I am aware of current casting of Juliet. But thank you for providing that information. 

I am going to be unpopular on this. I love R and J and never tire of it. ABT performs it beautifully and it is a standard in their repertoire. It is very popular with audiences. I do agree about casting, though. What will be the R and J pairings?  Skylar is due her Juliet.

In spirit, I agree with you. We need happier ballets. How about Etudes or Bruch Violin Concerto? But ABT’s choices bring me joy, because they are danced so well, even though they are sad. ( I have a friend, a non ballet person, who asks me every time “Does someone die in the ballet “? It bothers him. But he goes anyway! )

1 hour ago, LIslandArts said:

I was in attendance tonight (2/16) and OH MY what a show! Hurlin/Royal/Maloney were the principals, Patrick Frenette was Benvolio, Roman Zhurbin as Tybalt (the defining one of this generation) and Alexandra Basmagy delivered a heart wrenching Lady Capulet.

Hurlin was jubilant & mesmerizing throughout.  I’ll be honest I initially had my doubts about her Juliet because I’ve always seen her in bravura roles like Kitri & all the Ratmansky ballets. Yet she was surprisingly tender and lyrical—especially in the balcony and bedroom duets.  

Calvin’s Romeo has vastly improved since the Met.  Perhaps this new director has brought some fresh guidance to the company, because I for one thought he was spot on tonight. I saw the galant & chivalrous nature of Robert Hill’s Romeo (a former leading male dancer with ABT) in his approach. 

Maloney was everything Mercutio was supposed to be—boyish, charming, ready to scrap at a moment’s notice. From having to pull out of his debut last season (shoulder injury) to this year, you’d never have figured this was his first show! His chemistry with his ladies and cast mates was genuine.  Some jumps could have been a tad higher, but one can easily chalk it up to first show nerves & general fatigue. Only up from here.

Frenette delivered quite possibly the most moving rendition of Benvolio I’ve seen in recent memory. The path he chose to put his character on from pure love of his friends to utter ruin and devastation (I could hear the sniffles and soft sobs from my seat…haunting) at the sight of Mercutio’s death. His technique and finesse was on full display tonight, and I can only hope a change in his status in the company comes soon—he and Maloney should have been promoted post show! 

I wish I could stay for more shows this week, but NY calls be back. I’m hoping to make it for Joffrey Ballet performing Possokhov’s “Anna Karenina” (it’ll be my first time seeing the Joffrey) 

P.S the Juliet friends were a highlight as well. Such promising young ladies with the most polished dancing. 

Thank you for the lovely review. I have given your review to Patrick. I agree with it. He is modest and self effacing, so he was very pleased. Lots of good artists and actors at ABT. Thank you. 

If anyone attends any of the Romeo and Juliet performances, please report back. There are a number of debuts in the performances. Thank you. 

Thank you for posting the casting. 

I saw this today. It is beautiful. Two couples dancing to piano music by Schuman. A lovely adagio for four then goes into separate pieces for each couple. Ends with a brilliant allegro section. Women wearing long tutus of cobalt blue and the men with same color tunics. Costumes designed by Duncan Lyle. The four dancers, Lauren Bonfiglio, Isadora Loyola, Jose Sebastian and Mikey de la Nunez, are lovely to watch. Well done. 

49 minutes ago, DPell said:

Good for Maloney and Gonzalez, I hope one or both of the might get a Rothbart. Shayer was the only Mercutio I missed last season, but I was able to see all the Pimp Daddy Rothbarts, and he was the weakest out of all of them.

So happy for both Carlos González and Tyler Maloney. They were both injured last year and worked hard to recover and come back. They deserved this. 

8 minutes ago, Drew said:

I expect Shostakovich Trilogy will have staying power, if not at ABT then at other companies -- other companies already perform it. (I think the Piano Concerto no 1 on its own works very well. Possibly a case can be made for the other acts as stand alone ballets.)

For my taste, Whipped Cream is another full length that deserves a long term place in the repertory. (I haven't seen Of Love and Rage.)

It’s time for those in the Corps de Ballet, some of whom perform soloist roles, to get their just recognition. ABT is in transition mode now. Give those dancers their due: Jarod Curley, Carlos González, Jonathan Klein, Patrick Frenette, Zimmi Coker. Promote them or at least showcase them. Then people will see how good ABT is now. 

With Alexei Ratmansky leaving, will ABT still have access to perform his works? 

Good lineup. But I wonder why Skylar Brandt hasn’t been given a Juliet yet?

I agree with you on your assessment of Tommy’s partnering. I was at the performance too. The Ratmansky choreography is very complex, especially in this pas de deux. The torch lift was exquisite. 

8 hours ago, JuliaJ said:

They are are really betting on Like Water for Chocolate to succeed, with 12 performances. Seems very risky given how poorly their last big premiere (Of Love and Rage) sold. Like Water for Chocolate the book and movie aren't exactly in the cultural zeitgeist enough for this to be a guaranteed hit. Time will tell. I wish the season had more variety in four weeks, and it's pretty sad that this is what the Met season has come to. Hope all goes well regardless, and looking forward to June. 

Swan Queen Murphy getting the Wednesday matinee? Ouch. Not surprising given her age though. I guess there aren't a whole lot of performances to go around these days.

Is the casting already posted, and if so, where? Thank you. 

31 minutes ago, abatt said:

Checked the online brochure for casting.  Hurlin will debut as Juliet and as Giselle.   Teuscher also gets a Giselle debut.  No Misty anywhere in the casting. 

Misty said in her interview on CBS morning yesterday, that she will be back Winter 2023. 

ABT has posted their casting for their Nutcracker 2022 engagement at Segerstrom Center for the Arts. This posting is for the Nutcracker Prince and Princess. Of note is the debuts of Calvin Royal III and Cassandra Trenary in the roles on Sunday Matinee, December 11th. Also is the return to the stage of James Whiteside with Isabella Boylston after his devasting  injury last year in the same role.