Balanchinomane

The suggestion is that she be downgraded to part time, perhaps paid per performance rather than full contract salary. But unlike Bolle, Vishneva, and the guest artists, she was a full time company member. She always participated in the Fall Seasons and tours. A team player, as it were. She never gave anything but a class A performance and ABT was lucky to have her. And Ratmansky created works on her and cast her often. This has gotten so sordid - all in the name of saving money? It's awful.

What time is Company Class? I guess this is the best site to wait for it. Hopefully there's a kind insider among us....

I saw the Wed. matinee. It was my second viewing of the new work so I wasn't sugar shocked by the elaborate sets and costumes. Now I can concentrate on the music, choreography, and characterizations. Marcelo's Mr. Coffee is charming, sly, and slightly predatory toward Abrera's coy and ditzy Princess Teaflower and they are so well matched. Their pas de deux isn't Petipa - it's more like the Pearly King and Queen from Union Jack. Lane and Simkin's roles are more challenging in their complexity but equally humorous. If Ballet had a Tony Award equivalent, I would nominate this cast. The Met looked full and there were a lot of children in attendance. It was fun to hear so much laughter from the audience. I would encourage everyone to see it and I hope it is a grand success.

Just checked the website - Firefox on my Imac runs fine. Sorry I can't help. Computer problems are frustrating for me as there is never a reasonable explanation why something suddenly doesn't work.

Yeah, another cast made in heaven. Cory and Stella were so much in synch - smooth as silk and never broke character. The staging of this ballet is perfection. I hope they bring it back next year. I can't wait to see it again. Ha, only 90 minutes to go...

The whole article is nutty. Embarrassingly personal.

Does anyone know who the little girl is who brought out her flowers? I hope someone posts a video - they got 2 front curtain calls.

She did many many single single doubles and the tempo did get faster but she used up all the music and kind of slid to the left wing. When Simkin grabbed her he underspun her pirouettes so she was a bit lopsided. But they recovered fast and finished strong. So it was only those couple minutes that they need to rehearse for next time.

The Divine Miss Sarah!! Gorgeous Odette - half swan-half human, telling her story in mime the way the Russians do. Terrific chemistry with Simkin. The look on his face was shear elation. Lordy, they made me cry, just like they did in Giselle.

All very good points. Variety in performance is OK if it influences a new audience who will want to return and see something else. I worry about the kids working in the studios who see an easier way to get ahead. Bare legs and sneakers does not require professional ballet training. In any endeavor of life it's the long game that's most rewarding. Sorry for standing on a soapbox!

Most of us don't like to see performance standards lowered for financial gain. It fits with the dumbing down of culture in arts and letters, so prevalent today. When an art form crosses the line to pop culture, everybody loses.

YES!!!!! Grabbed a 3rd row seat! So thrilling!

Bet you wish you were here. It's so exciting to be able to see all these talented artists get grand scale opportunities.

I'm ready to hit the Buy Ticket button.

Oh, my heart! Is Simkin there?

I know a lady who purchased 28 subscription tickets for this season and explained politely that she didn't want to contribute more money. Her telemarketer told her how ticket sales cover so little of ABT's costs that they lose money on "people like you." So insulting.

Yeah, my "friendship" with ABT ended when they wouldn't let me use my 2 complimentary dress rehearsal passes to two separate dress rehearsals.

I received my subscription tickets but not the individuals I ordered nor was I billed for them yet. I called and she confirmed they would by forthcoming after the trio subscriptions are processed. Which doesn't make much sense as it is ongoing. There's no "buy by a certain date." She assured me I would have them before March 13th. That's the first date we can exchange subscription tickets. But I don't think you can exchange the individuals if you don't like your seat.

This is stunning. What a beautiful color palette for the costumes. Odile's dress. Odette's humanity - when she hugs Sieggy at 2.00. What a gorgeous production. Does this company tour?

Thanks for the heads-up, Mussell. Just bought a ticket. There's a discount code with Ticketmaster, PLAY4. Orchestra seats for $99. Final performances are always so special.

Very sad news. Such a beautiful, charming, generous soul. Recently thinking about her when watching her Company heirs in Sonatine and Liebeslieder. She leaves a brilliant legacy to her friends and fans. Condolences to all she knew and those that admired her from afar.

Thanks for the reviews, Natalia. This looks like the Swan Lake of my dreams. The photos are beautiful. How long before it crosses the pond and which company is likely to get it?

Well, when the mayor called for a travel ban in and out of the city for 230pm, they had little choice. The Broadway League called for all shows to be cancelled a little before 100pm. So lots of people in town for a show are disappointed. If they had jumped the gun earlier, it still wouldn't have had an ideal outcome. Safety first. Mother Nature flexing her muscles.

Oh well, I'm going to watch my Bussell/Bolle dvd instead.

Same here in NY - their twitter feed has similar comments. The orchestra sounds great though...