bingham

If Stella Abrera gets promoted, will she be the first Phillipina-American to reach principal at ABT? Can anyone confirm?

If promoted, she will be.BTW, Filipino(a)-American is the term that is usually used. As of now, she is the 1st Fil-Am soloist of ABT. I don't know if it is known that Anthony Huxley is the 1st Fil-Am principal of the NYCB. His maternal father(or grandfather?) was a very prominent political figure in the Philippines.

If there was a white (or even Asian) dancer who could not do the steps or choreography, no way that dancer would get the free pass Misty is getting. And get promoted to principal?? No way in any other company. I wonder how many RB dancers not doing a show have seen ABT this week (I'm venturing a guess none, since I've seen them in the audience or at the stage door). No wonder NYCB dancers have such contempt for ABT.

Is that a fact? I could not believe that professional artists would feel that way of other artists even if they feel that they are better than them.

Any reports on the Murphy-Hammoudi-Baca Swan Lake?

Perhaps many American teachers do not know how to teach the carriage of the upper body, usage of the arms and the focus of the eyes as it is taught in various European and Russian schools. Being an American born and trained student, dancer and now teacher of the generation of the early 60's until now, I have rarely met American teachers who know how to teach the usage of the upper body as we see in those trained in Europe and specifically Russia. There are a few, but not many.

That is so surprising. No wonder, there is almost always something missing in the way American ballerinas dance. Should American schools import Russian or European teachers to correct this?Just wondering.

Talking of upper body pliancy, why doesn't American ballet school emphasized this in their training?

In her ABT bio, it is mentioned that after moving to the USA at the age of 8, she trained at the Rock school in Philadelphia for 7-8 years.

Two others:

Brahms-Haydn Variations (have seen only once, the last time they did it, and remember really liking it -- loved getting to see so many principals and soloists in one piece)

Birthday Offering (have never seen)

Birthday Offering would just be perfect for the anniversary season and it has several beautiful variations to challenge the women of the company.

They made a very nice pair, especially with Veronika's Odette, as they are both rather tall and have similar dancing styles, it seemed.

I thought Paulina was one of the shorter corp member.

Somebody with the screen name "Vic Toriya" posted these curtain calls on YouTube. The wrapping aurora noted occurs about 3:33.

Who was the corp dancer Rothbart was trying to seduce? she seems amused to his attentions.

Backing up, though. I could tell from the moment that Cory came on stage that this was going to be a different show from last year's. Two years ago I was finally mostly satisfied with his performance opposite Veronika, but then last year was a big let-down. He seemed to me to be a complete blank. But last night was much different. He entered spirited and engaged with the entire corps.

I might be mistaken but last year, Corey was just coming back after a severe injury.

And it's one thing for ABT to be a destination company for principals and soloists, as Helene's data shows that it still is. But is it as much of a draw for corps dancers from outside? (I don't know -- genuine question.) And in thinking about the term "feeder" company, I have in mind what's happened to a lot of promising soloists whom we've seen leave in recent years. Dancers who have risen up from corps to soloists, gotten stuck, and left. I'd be curious to know whether that trend has increased over time, or if it's just always been a part of what happens and I've only recently become more aware of it.

I'm also curious about talented NYCB corp members who have not risen from the corp. Do they leave the company and go somewhere else? MCB/PNB?

I wish that ABT would announce promotions to Principal in the manner that POB does for it's Etoiles...immediately following a performance. I wished that for Stella after last month's GISELLE; didn't happen. Maybe Kevin will surprise us on Wed afternoon for Misty? Then do the same next week for Stella after her CINDERELLA? Hey, one can dream!

Warm up that microphone, Kevin...testing one-two-three!

Keep on dreaming...

I would welcome new production of "La Bayadere" (do not find Makarova's one satisfying). Robbins' "Other Dancers" would be great too.

Promotion to principal to Abrera, and to soloist C. Royal and A. Scott.

A Scott deserved a promotion a long time ago. He is like a male Abrera-Lane, totally neglected. I have never seen him do a bad performance in any of his solo roles.

I'd love more interesting rep nights. As others have said Tudor's Romeo & Juliet (I know dream on). I'd love Push Comes to Shove. Maybe Ailey's River, Billy the Kid with the right lead. I agree with the idea of throwing a flashy pas in here and there. It would give some of the younger principals and maybe even soloists practice in black swan or Don Q pas without the pressure of carrying the whole ballet. Especially since they don't have a lot of chances to perform them. If you only do 2 or 3 Swan Lakes a year it would be nice to at least have the chance to get more comfortable performing Black Swan pas.

No more Theme and Variations, they do it better across the plaza.

YES! the addition of PDD in the Mixed program would probably improve the attendance to these programs. We can also see PDD that are rarely seen here( Esmeralda,Talisman, Diana and Acteon etc)

I can't imagine David Koch wouldn't love the opportunity to get his name out there to all of America as a supporter of the arts by funding telecasts on PBS and subsequent DVD releases. He's put up the money for ABT productions, wouldn't this be an obvious opportunity for him as well? A way to reach a LOT more people, for one thing.

I'm happy to have ABT dance with the devil if it means there's some record of this company's performances!

I would even let him change ABT to Koch Ballet Theatre, if he would change AD and hire 2-3 coaches/ teachers/stagers to coach the entire company.

How about the new Swan Lake Ratmansky will be staging in Zurich? I read that will be a reconstruction.

It will be a Zurich ballet- La Scala coproduction. They will probably want to have exclusive rights to it for a while.

The 2015 season will be over in 3 weeks. Maybe, it's time to think of next year's wishes/predictions. After the success of A Ratmansky's SB, i wish for his Munich production of Paquita. Also Ashton's La Fille, Rhapsody and/or Two Pigeons.

Among the newest corps members, I've really admired seeing beautiful Paulina Waski in her solo/demi solo moments (Fairy Candide yesterday matinee & Sapphire on May 29). Also, Catherine Hurlin has impressed me for her grace and fluidity within classical corps pieces, especially as one of Aurora's eight friends in yesterday's matinee.

The more I see this production, the more I love it...except for that daffy Fairy Violente...and the goofy modern 'rap style' moves that Ratmansky seems to have created for Carabosse's rats. So I love about 99% of this SB. And the sets look lovelier than ever from Orchestra/Stalls.

It is good to know JKO school is producing very promising graduates after all. S Brandt and S Baca had most of their training at JKO too.

Sat matinee, 1st intermission NEWS FLASH!

CLEAN Rose Adagio from Hee Seo!

Ok A1 solo but 1st double pirouette a little shaky.

** This completes the first NEWS FLASH**

Holding our breath for the next two acts. Thanks Natalia.

Any news on the fall season? They are usually announced in the mid-Met season.

If KM does not like to give RAJ to Sarah, how about being bold and cast Cassandra Trenary as Juliet. Just wishful thinking.

Surprisingly, i was able to watch the whole performance in Culturebox website. Aurelie Dupont was wonderful.

I was wondering if Andrew Veyette was available . . .

Some days ABT is the gift that keeps on giving!

Another reason for a change in AD.

There is no basis for this but i have a feeling that there would be a change at the end of this season or year (wistful thinking ).

LOVED Zhurbin, Part, Katherine Williams (the blonde Williams)and Fang. I have been a fan of Zhong-Jing Fang for years. There was a time 6-7 years ago when she was getting a lot of soloist parts and I thought she might be promoted but then she stopped being cast in anything but corps roles. I don't know why KM stopped casting her but she was gorgeous last night as Zulma and I hope we continue to see much more of her!

I have always loved ZJ fang but after her bad injury a few years ago, she was not given any soloist pats.Just like Stella, i hope she gets a promotion soon. Same with K Williams.