pirouette

Tiler Peck has announced that she won't be dancing this weekend: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C38ThKNJA0r/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Hi all, I've made yet another chart (this time for the Winter 2024 Season) detailing: Times Danced: The number of times a dancer danced IN TOTAL (per the casting sheet as of 2/28/24). Roles Danced: The number of roles a dancer danced in (for example, if Nadon danced in The Concert and Solitude, that would count as 2 roles) Debuts: The number of debut roles a dancer had (for example, Maxwell in Opus 19/The Dreamer would count as 1 debut). I counted "NYCB Debuts" as a debut. As always, please keep in mind that it's not perfect and there are probably a few human errors in there somewhere. I just thought it would be interesting to see the stats, especially since there has been conversation recently about who might be on track for a promotion. Here's the link for anyone who's interested: https://drive.google.com/file/d/14ubs-DzggnKCrovbCDw3pqIChxma4Ql3/view?usp=sharing Some of my own personal thoughts: It's disappointing to see that Emily Kikta only danced four times in the entire season (4T's and Stars & Stripes if I'm not mistaken). I wonder what's going on there. I know issues about height have been discussed upthread, but for reference, she danced 15 times in 7 roles in Fall 2023. As expected, Phelan danced the most, but it's amazing to see how much Maxwell and Von Enck danced this season!! Seeing the numbers among the corps — Alec Knight and David Gabriel have certainly had an impressive season! Would love to hear everyone else's thoughts!

Week 5 Casting is up: https://res.cloudinary.com/new-york-city-ballet/image/upload/v1707258668/NYCB_Casting_February_20-25_2024_lobby.pdf I'm surprised Emma Von Enck is not getting her principal debut in Ballo Della Regina, since she performed the solo yesterday and Sterling Hyltin seemed to hint that she will debut it later this season. Perhaps they're giving her the last show on Jan 29?

Ashley Hod posted on her Instagram story that she's been sick with "fever and chills for 3 days straight." Hope she gets well soon!

The mat/floor that is used for dance is called vinyl marley. I've heard dancers mention that when NYCB goes on tour, they'll roll it up and bring it with them. For Copland Dance Episodes, they switched out the regular gray marley with white. I did some searching on the Internet and a company called Harlequin Floors claims to be "the floor of choice" for NYCB, ABT, and The Royal Ballet: https://us.harlequinfloors.com/en/spaces/home-studio-spaces/. If this is true, I'm not sure why there is such a big difference between the NYCB and ABT floors (as in, how loud they are).

Adding on... I was also at the matinee today and had mixed feelings. I was very excited to see ABT’s interpretation of Ballet Imperial. I agree that Chloe Misseldine had a lovely debut and honestly seemed more relaxed than the principals. Regarding the tempo — I thought it was fine during the corps and assemble moments, but it slowed an unbearable amount during the pas de deux and Shevchenko’s solos. I was close to tearing my hair out. I’ve seen Shevchenko and Calvin Royal in other roles and like them well enough, but I did not enjoy them here. She seemed nervous and tentative; I was waiting for her to dance bigger and freer but she never really got there. About the set and costumes — I had less of a problem with the tutus and background looking dated and musty-looking (personally I thought they were beautiful on their own), and more with how it took away from the choreography. The dancers looked so weighed down by the skirts, which bounced in a rather unflattering way. I’m glad Balanchine changed it later on. On the topic of changes, I have question: I noticed that at NYCB, during the section where the soloist and corps do the échappés in the triangle/diamond formation, they start before the last row arrive. At ABT, they only start once the formation is complete. Was the NYCB version a later change, or does it just vary by company? The moment I'm talking about is at 30:36 of the video below... Would also be interested if others are knowledgeable on any other choreo changes for this ballet. This was only my second time seeing The Dream, so I was still very much awed by the gorgeous set and costumes. Someone upthread mentioned the loud floors and it was EXTREMELY loud in this ballet whenever the corps ran and jumped. During the opening section, it was painful how the sound of the pointe shoes overpowered the divine music and orchestra. I compared pictures I took at ABT vs NYCB and they definitely changed out the floor. Anyways, the highlight for me in The Dream was Camargo. Magbitang was a good Puck, but I’m super excited to see Roxander on Wednesday! This was the program I was most excited about for ABT’s fall season, but now after making it to the actual performances, I have to say I surprisingly enjoyed the “Classics Old and New” program more!

My pleasure!! I think it will be between Bradley and Jones! Or maybe both if more than one spot opens up.

True, and all great points! I hope you're right about Von Enck. She is always such a joy to watch.

Oops, already caught a mistake 😅 Phelan danced in 9 roles, not 8.

If any of you remember, I had made a chart for the 2022-2023 season detailing the number of times each dancer danced in a featured role that season. Well, I made one for the Fall 2023 season! This time, I charted three different variables: 1. Times Danced: The number of times a dancer danced IN TOTAL (per the casting sheet) 2. Roles Danced: The number of roles a dancer danced in (for example, if Unity danced in Apollo and Diamonds, that would count as 2 roles) 3. Debuts: The number of debut roles a dancer had (for example, Emma Von Enck in Rubies would count as 1 debut) Keep in mind that it's not perfect since it doesn't take into account last minute casting changes (these stats are all based off the casting sheets posted on the NYCB website). Also, I'm only human so there are probably a few human errors in there somewhere. And these charts don't list Bolden and Riccardo as soloists yet, since they did these roles before they were promoted. Here's the link for anyone who's interested: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-ua3mhdDNqb44ocDKURhpzwIy-tR2KFp/view?usp=share_link Seeing the numbers, I'm surprised by how many times Kikta and Adams danced this season! Do you all think Adams is on track for promotion? I feel like Kikta definitely is (or at least should be!!!)

https://www.instagram.com/p/CyTfLJeLpqN/ Per Tiler Peck's Instagram, she will not be performing in T&V tonight but will perform this weekend. A shame since I wanted to see her in T&V... now I'm considering going to the Saturday matinee too although I also have tickets for the evening performance.

Thank you. Hope Lars is ok.

Does anyone know the name of the male dancer who fell during the Pastorale section of La Sonnambula? Was it Lars Nelson? And did he come back for the finale or did they switch him out? It looked to me like he was hurt, but I could be wrong..

I'm sorry to say that I've come to dread seeing Erica Pereira. Someone upthread expressed hope that Von Enck would be cast as Russian Girl.. I'm sure she would've been lovely in that. And I echo everyone else's comments regarding Phelan being cast in too many roles!! She can be so beautiful when she gets the chance to grow into a role (I've enjoyed her in Agon the last few times I've seen her) but she's simply too overworked.

Ashley Laracey unfortunately got COVID, per her latest Instagram post. She said she will not be performing this week in The Unanswered Question. I hope she recovers quickly!