Drew

Sounds, though, as if they are trying to come with a different child-friendly plan for Nutcracker...

Yes, that sounds about right...

That sounds like lovely news for Sylve. Somewhat puzzled by the reference to Reisinger (the choreographer of the Moscow pre-Petipa/Ivanov Swan Lake) followed by description of program that includes "the infamous Black Swan pas de deux" which presumably refers to something that is Petipa (or, at any rate, "Petipa" -- as handed down by tradition). Wonder if that isn't a mistake....??

A terrific ballerina —may she rest in peace—

I didn't want to seem to be ignoring your question, but I'm afraid I don't know the specifics. I just know that there is nothing on the face of it implausible about a principal dancer wanting a role danced by soloist esp. in a company in which soloists dance major roles all the time. (I did just correct my original post in which I said it was a premier--I had heard that speculated and thought it was in the article. It is not.)

One of the disagreeing others here...Soloists get cast as leads...I don’t actually have a strong opinion on the value or truthfulness of this book which hasn’t come out yet and I don’t think one dancer angling for another’s role in these circumstances (however tactless or unkind) counts as more than a venial sin. But I certainly found the story credible enough whatever the ranks involved... Edited to say: in earlier version of this I wrote that the ballet was a premier and premiers get reviewed but I later realized that isn't in the article -- I was just more or less assuming it based on something I read elsewhere. In any case, soloists do get cast as leads esp in companies like NYCB.

Before I knew of their existence (quite recently) I would sometimes look at dancers’ feet and think “I don’t understand the shape of that foot? or How is THAT foot fitting in that shoe? Or “Those feet look odd...” etc. There may BE some dancers out there with unexpectedly shaped feet or peculiarly fitting shoes, but I have concluded that much of the time the problem is these enhancements. I just didn’t know that that is what I was registering...

I think it makes sense for now, but fear it will not be taken up in many parts of the country including where I live.

The timing of the Ratmansky Swan Lake is rough for me, but I am pondering....part of my difficulty is work schedule (February, not April, is the cruelest month) and part is that I prefer to plan way ahead of time if I am traveling (best seats, best airfares etc.) but am reluctant to do so with so many unknowns on the Covid front....I am starting to doubt whether I will see much ballet even in 2022...I know others are more intrepid than I!

With all the changes etc. just as well I opted against an NY trip. Still envious of all of you getting to see the company again live.....

Wishing her much success!

May she rest in peace...

A possibility--it certainly seems unlikely he was doing it to honor the company's earliest history....And he may be being advised that if he is to up his donor game he has to do something dramatic and attention getting.

A day or two ago, when I first saw a post online about Philadelphia Ballet I just assumed it was some small local group maybe even semi-professional. Then I read more closely. I wonder if behind the scenes they don't have reason to think that the moniker Philadelphia Ballet may help them raise money locally or perhaps draw out same pool of people who support the orchestra?? To me it was a puzzling change because "Pennsylvania Ballet" has some cachet as a top U.S. company outside of NY.

Batoeva’s Gulnare in D.C. was pitch perfect. More than that, she looked like a ballerina and effortlessly (or seemingly effortlessly) drew one’s eye. Just a few months later dancing the lead in Paquita, also in D.C., her dancing was excellent, but .... she looked like a soloist. It may have been an off night but it was disappointing to see her have such a pallid outing when she was dancing as the bona fide lead. (I don’t find video the best way to assess the distinction I’m trying to capture.) I imagine she will be cast in Rubies in D.C, and, if she is, then I hope to see it. I do always enjoy her unaffected, clean style....

I enjoyed this rehearsal too...and thanks @naomikagefor posting about May Nagahisa's promotion. I remember her dancing an especially effective 3rd shade in Bayadere at Kennedy Center a few seasons back. Congratulations to her--

Met her briefly when I was younger, but was intimidated and awkward and everything bad about being younger. She has left a great legacy--may she rest in peace--

Congratulations from me as well to Novikova—

Thanks for this reminder. Premiers by company dancers are a nice way to develop in-house choreographers but one can't help feeling that they may be another money-saving measure as well. The Schreier premier is the highlight for me --and a chance to see her Pleiades Dances in the theater. After that, the Paquita--which is both a wonderful slice of classical dancing and, of course, rather a test of where the dancers are as classical dancers. When it was danced by the company during Nedvigin's first season, the "second" cast, which was the only cast I saw, struggled--at least so it seemed to me. And the dancers who were (to some extent) exceptions--Mara, Nash, and Rogers--are all of them no longer with the company. I will be curious to see Giselle as well, but probably take a pass on Nutcracker. Of course, I'm assuming that the Covid situation in GA will be well under control . . . if there is any doubt . . . well, no live ballet for me.

I had recently read about the quarantine issue and was wondering how that impacted Osipova. (Though if that's behind her decision, she has not said so...) I assume one problem traveling/guesting dancers have is that the scheduling is done ahead of time but Covid makes things unpredictable.... (Kekhman accused Ananiashvilli of lying a few months back--dispute over directorship of Novosibirsk ballet--so that's kind of his m.o.)

An interesting, moving, and enjoyable read...and what a striking portrait of Mitchell's huge presence, on-stage and off.

Congratulations to both!

Loved the photos from the graduation preparations etc. Thanks for posting.

A photo of Lucette Aldous graced one of the earliest ballet books I owned (well, "owned"--I assume my parents got it) -- which was also my very favorite. May she rest in peace....

I don’t think I was, but honestly don’t know.