bingham

More complete casting for ABT's ALL-PROKOFIEV CELEBRATION is now on the ABT web site. A lot of people seem to be getting a chance at principal roles. I think it's great!

I hope they also list the individual dancers for "Airs" and not just company. Hee Seo and A Hammoudi seems to be frontrunners for promotions. NYsusan must be thrilled

I hope and pray that Suzanne gave Veronika some tips on her forthcoming performances in "Mozartiana" at the Met.

I was thinking the same thing, bingham. Part has performed several roles Farrell created or performed (Mozartiana, Diamonds, Symphony in C). It would be nice if they spoke of these things. Thank you, Jack, for the report.

Dale, i forgot that Veronika did S in C, when she was new at ABT( not very well received if i remember correctly).Maybe, it's time for ABT to revive the ballet for her.

I hope and pray that Suzanne gave Veronika some tips on her forthcoming performances in "Mozartiana" at the Met.

Wasn't Miles Perti a previous YAGP Grand Prix winner(or runner up ?) 2-3 years ago?

According to ABT website, V Part, P Herrera, M Gomes and D Halberg will be the !st cast of A Ratmansky's 1st ABT premiere. Anybody knows anything else about this new production?Is it a story ballet ?

Danny Tidwell is squandering his vast talents on junk, if last night's performance was any indication of what he has been doing lately, in my opinion. Marcelo's little solo dance was fun, sexy and extremely well danced.

As much as I love Danny I'm afraid I have to agree. The best I can say about him and his partner is that they looked like they were having fun. I wasn't. I was very surprised to see Marcelo scheduled to dance a Bob Fosse broadway solo. I'm sure it's never been danced quite that way before and while Fosse experts might take issue with some style elements I thought it was very entertaining. To me that was a great example of a classically trained dancer translating his skills to a different style and perhaps moving out of his comfort zone to try something different that still provided an appropriate platform for his skills and talent.

Nysusan, How was Hee and Cory in the R and J PDD? Thanks.

The opening night Gala program is in the ABT website.It opens with V Part in the excerpt from Mozartiana.

The negative to this particular story lies in the forlorn and unloved grave of Antony Tudor's Romeo and Juliet, which slowly molders into dust for wont of funds and resolve.

An interesting point, miliosr. You remind us that "new work" is only one of the responsibilities of an enlightened and farsighted artistic organization -- and that ABT has long-standing obligations towards the Tudor legacy.

Perhaps the Sosnoffs' generous gift - by creating a large separate funding source for the development of new work -- will free ABT to use (or raise) other funds to address an equally important artistic project as regards Tudor and his central place in the history of the company.

I agree that the company should be cultivating the resources needed to accomplish both sets of tasks.

Regarding "new work": BT member abatt has just posted the following on the ABT Met Season 2009 thread:

An ad by ABT in today's NYTimes indicates that on opening night, Nina will dance a new work choreographed by Alexei Ratmansky.

The new Ratmansky is a "one-performance-only" piece choreographed for Nina's farewell gala .

Visiting BalletTalk seems to bring happy news from ABT these days. Wonderful!

I agree that Citizen was pretty atrocious, but I have to come out in support of Rabbit and Rogue (the other new work last year). I really liked it, despite the critical response.

New works bring in younger audiences, and this, I think we can all agree, is a transition that needs to start happening to ensure the ongoing existence of ballet companies in the US.

Great news!! Hoping, they can spend some of it for a Ratmansky Sleeping Beauty in the future.

That's exciting. Good for her. I realized I can't make it on the dates she is scheduled. Looking forward to reading the reports of Ballet Talkers re her performance.

Abatt, Who are you referring to?

When Veronika first joined ABT, her Debut in Symphony in C was considered a big disappointment. I wonder how she would do in the same role now?

I just fell off my chair. Woweeee!!!!!

How exciting! It seems like she really made a good impression in London (she seemed to be the only female dancer to get good reviews from the London critics). Good luck to her! I hope this means we get a new soloist!!

Congratulations!!! As for a new soloist, Hee Seo,with her leading role in R and J, seems to be the frontrunner.

Very sad indeed. When Rasta danced Othello( which i thought was very good) i was hoping he would finally joined a classical company where he could display his enormous talent. Unfortunately, he (or ABT) did not follow through. He (along with D Tidwell) could have developed into much-needed American-trained male ballet stars.

I'm starting to feel sad for "TBA" on the 19th.

I'm waiting to buy tickets for the D.C. Corsaire engagement until it gets closer to the actual performance date. If the casting holds, I would like to see Alexandrova on the 18th and Osipova/Vasiliev on the 19th. Since I will not be able to exchange any tickets for the DC performances (I live in NYC), I'm holding back on purchasing tickets for the Kennedy Center for now. Hopefully it won't sell out. I think tickets tend to become available close to the performance date. If not, so be it.

TBA on the 19th at ABT could end up being someone very interesting. I would love to see Sarah Lane in Sylphide, for example. Doubtful they will train an additional person for the role, though. They will probably just assign the role to one of the other ballerinas who is performing that week.

I would be thrilled if ABT would take a chance on casting Zhong Jing Fang as the Sylphide.

One of the British reviewer wrote that Marcelo Gomes has"stolid stage presence. He doesn't bring an ounce of charisma or charm

to his role as Conrad" Is she talking about the same M Gomes that we see here in NY? Maybe, the Marynsky kept the real Marcelo in Russia and sent a body double instead

Is anyone going to see ABT in Detroit this weekend? I have to admit, I'm surprised they're going there with how economically depressed Michigan in particular is right now.

Did anyone see Hee and Cory's debut in Romeo and Juliet?

Er... I just read a little more about the new Napoli. (Sit down, Alexandra, and take a deep breath...)

It will be set in the 1950s, in the decay and poverty of a Naples controlled by the criminal underworld, and Maja Ravn's cinematic designs will make this an exciting meeting between Fellini and Bournonville.

I wonder what they'll do with Act 2?

(Edited to answer my own question, in part) Act 2 will have choreography by Hubbe and new music by Louise Alenius Boserup.

Just the "Napoli" that i'll be avoiding.

Grateful for that lone Saturday evening review, OKOK. Hans, now I can say "You said it all" about yesterday's Wiles/Hallberg performance! I have very little to add to my own take...

American Ballet Theater

SWAN LAKE (McKenzie, after Petipa/Ivanov)

February 22, 2009

Kennedy Center Opera House

Odette/Odile - Michele Wiles

Siegfried - David Hallberg

Von Rothbart - Marcelo Gomes

Pas de Trois - Hee Seo, Renata Pavam, Blaine Hoven

Two Big Swans - Veronika Part, Kristy Boone

Cygnets - Lane, Milewski, Kajiya & ??? (in place of Ricetto...I could not hear the pre-perf announcement)

Michele Wiles was technical perfection yesterday, conquering icily and resolutely, whereas Veronica Part was all passion and 'singing body' last Friday. However, Michele was more than technique -- those arms and hands were exquisite! She has such a command of her technique that she is able to 'play' with the music and use the balances as points of emphasis for the music, rather than mere tricks. Brava! The audience went absolutely wild for Michele, with (to my ears) even more bravos and standing-os than for Veronika, which is unusual for a DC matinee audience, which can often be half asleep.

David Hallberg showed-off his gorgeous lines -- those arched feet, mamma mia! Somewhat lacking in the emotional department, he was the perfect cool partner for Michele...the cool couple. Whereas Veronika and Marcelo were SCORCHING FIRE on Friday, Michele and David were SHINY ICE.

Marcelo Gomes continues to own the role of Purple Pimp, getting THE single biggest applause and bravos of the day after his ballroom solo...and lots of laughs when he picked-up and cast aside one princess to go to the next one. Roman Zhurbin nicely essayed the Green Giant-Swamp Thing version of Von Rothbart.

The Pas de Trois team was good, although I still don't quite "get" the fuss about Blaine Hoven, who was nonetheless clean and precise. Renata Pavam -- almost a twin of Maria Ricetto in looks! -- was wonderfully musical in the 2nd solo. However, it was Hee Seo who totally wowed me with her gorgeous line and feet, and 'joie de vivre' quality. What elevation and spring this "prima of the future" has!

Luis Ribagorda and Tobin Eason were both fantastic in the Act III Neapolitan Dance.

Like Hans, I was a bit put-off by the casting of the divine Veronika Part as one of two "Big Swans"...so this was her Birthday Present? Gosh, it seems cruel but, then again, she is "only" a soloist and can go from the lead to the supporting cast overnight. Geez, when will this change?

In sum, it was a GREAT performance for Michele Wiles. All of the promise that I felt when visiting the Washington, DC, Kirov Academy of Ballet ca 1992 and seeing a little 11-yr-old girl with so much talent and desire...all of the promises of great things have indeed come to pass. Sometimes dreams DO come true!

Natalia Nabatova

Washington, DC

p.s. I agree about Marcelo's wild bellyflop on Friday. How could I have forgotten to mention that crazy dive? He could win an Olympic diving competition with that high, perfect "U"-shaped beauty of a flop. It's a "classic"!

p.s.s. I am now covered in goosebumps thinking "The next time that I see Marcelo Gomes will be on the stage of the Mariinsky Theater as Albrecht to Vishneva's Giselle!" Oh - my - G.........

How was the boxoffice in DC for this run?I dread that the next "big news"from ABT is not Veronika's promotion but dancer layoffs.If this happened to NYCB,which is supposedly better financed and endowed, then the ABT corps de ballet are also in danger.

Sorry but I can't resist---this is the time to say "we told you so"....

Thanks, atm!!! To be honest, I did not 'get' her as a first-flight ballerina'til last night. Yes, a gorgeous woman who looked great wandering about waving a flower-topped stick as the Lilac Fairy. Lots of unfulfilled potential, e.g., I found her lovely when, as a 15-yr-old student, she portrayed Pavlova in the little Neumeier gem, Pavlova and Cecchetti, on the stage of the Mariinsky. Wait - wait - wait. I practically gave up on her after those (to me) unfortunate Auroras at the Met in '07. All of that is erased after last night.

ny susan - It was definitely worth the drive, wasn't it?

Natalia, Terrific review as usual.I have a feeling that KMc is going to surprise us soon with what we have been hoping for.Maybe, he is just waiting for this triumph to occur. I just hope Ms. Kaufman does not rain on Veronika's parade.

Bingham, I don't have my playbill with me but I recall Hee Seo as the female standout and Joseph Phillip as the male standout.

Thanks for the clarification on Kelley Potter. No wonder that the name rang a bell.

Thanks. There are pictures of the mixed-bill newly posted in Gene Schiavonne website.

Quick update to the above: I checked my City Center Season Playbill against that of the new Kennedy Center season and can report the following changes in ABT's corps de ballet --

Out of the corps - Cory Stearns (promoted up to Soloist)...all other City Center season corps remain

Into the corps -

Caroline Duprot (from Royal Ballet, London)

Isadora Loyola (promoted up from ABT II)

Amanda McGuigan (back after absence during City Center; was listed in corps 07/08)

Kelley Potter (from ?)

Kelley came back to ABT(she was in the corps a few years ago) from Boston ballet.BTW,sorry for not being clear in my previous post, but i was asking for the demisoloists in the Allegro Brillante premiere.

Opening this thread for reports and comments on American Ballet Theater's Mixed Bill opening the run at the Kennedy Center. Ballets are listed in the 'topic title' with exception that 'Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux' replaces 'Flames of Paris' on the 18th (today).

Now for my own report.

Great review as usual (esp for us who can't be there). Who are the other soloists in the Allegro... premiere? Thanks.

The last week of the season's casting is up:

http://www.nycballet.com/casting/wk14.html...er1_TSMenuID=30

Who is the "Finlay"dancing with Taylor in Romeo and juliet PDD?

Natalia, please could you tell us what Englund did right at the end of La Sylphide, in the last second or two, after James has (probably) died? Was she exultant, or despairing? Did she do her 'I was a sylphide myself' bit, shown by lifting up her skirt to show a bedraggled sylphide skirt underneath?

Also, I think the Washington Post article said that Hallberg has already danced James elsewhere, so maybe it was Kobborg who orginally taught him the role.

He danced the role in a Kobborg-staged Japanese production last year.

Nijinska used some of the music from 'The Seasons' for 'The Snow Maiden' for the Ballet Russe.

Right...and let's not forget that some of the delectable female variations in Ashton's Birthday Offering are danced to music from The Seasons. I so wish that ABT would revive its production of that ballet.

Absolutely.BO and La Fille...are the 2 Ashton ballets that i wish ABT would revive.