SingerWhoMoves

Mara Vinson is also learning Juliette.

Any Serenade?

I was also really starting to notice Rachel's beautifully lush dancing. I will miss watching her and hope she goes on to something wonderful, whether dancing or not.

I don't think that Sophie cares if she came across as Professional. She admits she is very angry. I don't think she sees herself continuting to dance, and I think that's ok. She discusses her lack of modern training and says she doesn't feel comfortable pursuing that at this time. As for the dancers in Phantom of the Opera- I know many- it's a way to keep performing for a living ,but there is barely any dancing at all, so I don't think it can be equated with dancing with a company- even a small one. Also, you kind of have to want to sing a little- which I am not sure everyone does. :-)

Good for Sophie. I hope she does know how much we love and appreciate the corps dancers as individuals. I applaud her guts for doing this interview. Has there been a formal list of the laid off dancers? I will have to grieve each and every one. I already miss Rachel Piskin, though I don't know if she was among the group or just decided to leave. Such a sad situation for the girls- I know how intimate a dressing room situation is and it's hard to lose any of that in your life.

Just stopping by to report of Teresa Reichlen's amazing performance Saturday afternoon in Concerto Barocco. She was beautifully partnered by Justin Peck and Alina Dronova in particular stood out to me in the corps. Ellen Bar was also lovely. Jeni Ringer (replacing Wendy Whelan) and Sebastien Marcovici cast quite a spell in Swan Lake, and the corps of Swans danced beautifully. Les Noces was a breathtaking theatrical experience. A very varied and well danced program. Was anyone else there?

If you are eligible to join (union memeber, entertainment industry, teachers...) there are half price tickets on tdf.org. They are also offering many NYCB performances this season, and so far, my seats have all been amazing orchestra seats for $25!

Jeb, you should have gotten a discount code in an email.

And also no Mearns.

Vipa, I know that Kristen is an apprentice, and am guessing Callie is now one as well.

As a performer I can state with certainty that if your contact ends and you have worked the minimum required weeks you can collect unemployment insurance. At least in NY state. This is true of Broadway and off Broadway performers who's shows end as well.

I'm sorry to hear about your contact not being renewed. Things like that are so crazy- I worked several contracts on a cruise ship and we had weekly weigh ins. And I'm not even really a dancer- I was the lead singer and still had to keep my "show weight". Very stressful, and led to some very unhealthy behavior from the younger girls- which I luckily put a stop to with my lecturing. ;-)

Thank you for the reminder Alexandra- I am in the Theatre community and have gone through similar things with message boards and people posting about myself and good friends. I also went to school with many NYCB ballerinas and was well aware of any body pressure and eating disorders. I meant no offense "naming names"- I was actually defending the dancers. I was going to add that I was glad that there seemed to be many more womanly bodies in ballet now- which is a relief to me. Also, being in high school with the girls from SAB was enlightening about the demands of Ballet on the body- the dancers dance SO MUCH that many can't put on weight if they wanted to. When girls would quit, their bodies would completely transform and mature. Sandi

I agree that Megan Johnson looked very thin, but upon looking through opera glasses, it appears she is very slight of frame and has a very narrow ribcage- similar to Sterling Hyltin. She did make Abi look a bit big, but of course she is not. It's actually taken me a while to get used to Sara Mearns- who is very thin but has a wide ribcage, and so can look bigger than some of the other girls. I also find it hard to watch Wendy Whelan sometimes, because not only is she thin, she must have zero body fat and her muscles are so defined that she looks emaciated to me. Love her dancing though!

As much as I would LOVE to be able to watch Workshop on TV, can you imagine the added pressure for these students? This is already a HUGE event for them. I think it's merciful that the audience is intimate.

Yes, Oberon, I totally agree. I would rather see Russian Seasons and Oltremare on separate programs. I'm trying to think of what can follow Oltremare... I may want it to end an evening... not sure! Farrell Fan, I am the descendant of Italian immigrants who came on the boat- perhaps that's why I was so moved.. also have performed in Fiddler on the Roof many times, and so have at least imagined myself in that situation. ;-) This was my first Bigonzetti- and I agree about Bruno Moretti's music. I look forward to seeing his other ballets, and hearing the other music! ETA: I didn't see the dancing as spousal abuse.. I saw it as the physical manifestation of the despair and anguish.. and perhaps what in a verbal argument would be translted into "Why did you make me leave? How are we going to live without our land? Please let me go back? " etc.. and the answer of "I am doing this for our future... We must look forward not back.... I will be here for you... please don't feel despair... " or even "snap out of it!" ;-)

Fri eve Jan 25th I have way too many thoughts but I had to take this opportunity to mention the amazing performances of Gina Pazcoguin tonight. First in Oltremare (so haunting) and then in the lead role in Russian Seasons. She was so commanding, expansive, expressive and luminous.. I can't really think of enough words to describe what a star she was for me tonight. I'm very interested to hear what others have thought of Oltremare. I was completely taken in and very moved by it. I was amazed at the movement of the NYCB dancers, and their acting and commitment to character. Maria K. and Tiler Peck were both breathtaking. Ok, I should stop gushing...

Thanks for the report Deborah. Not being able to get there tonight, I just watched POB's Jewels... but I really must see NYCB dance it this season... it's sad to be a starving actor. Glad everyone did so well!

Sat Dec 15th's matinee is an exciting bunch of debuts! I want to go see Katie Morgan and Sugarplum.

Thanks for the answer Cabro! I had no idea.. I just thought that no one was posting. I'm relieved. Sandi

Cabro- they also used to list the Dolls- which I liked knowing. :-( Is there any reason people aren't posting threads like this in the NYCB folder anymore? I know everyone is putting things like reviews in "Recent performances" (including myself) but that NYCB folder used to be very active, and now the last post was in August!! What's the "correct" way we should be doing this? Thanks, Sandi

Just wanted to at my two cents- attended program 1 tonight- Friday, and thought Serenade was well rehearsed, clean and beautiful as an ensemble, but I did miss the star quality that the dancers bring to it at NYCB. This is my favorite ballet though, and I could watch it over and over again.... I enjoyed it very much. Unfortunately, I was sleep deprived, so I was nodding off during Carmina- despite being a singer and also loving the soprano... it just went on forever! When I could keep my eyes open, I was definitely compelled by what I was watching. I too thought the end section was very effective. What most struck me though was that almost the entire company danced BOTH ballets- what a workout!!! My dancer friend and I were saying to to each other that we hoped they went straight to the bath and the bio freeze and to bed. Very glad I attended.

Just returned from the "Gala" performance- where I got to meet Phillip AKA "Oberon".. what a delight! I can't claim to know that much about Ballet- but I agree with what has been said about the monotony- and the fact that I wished the dancers had a chance to MOVE! I too am honored to have seen Darcey B.(having only seen on TV) and I actually liked that PDD a lot, but still- combined with the rest of the program it was more of the same. What amazing presence she has though! I did love Sterling Hyltin's little PDD in "There where she loved" and that little bit with all of the dancers in a brief moment of joy (and MOVEMENT!) before the final PDD. The Dance of the hours got a great audience response, I think not only because of the great dancing and Ms. Bouder and Mr. Garcia, but because there was MOVEMENT! (sensing a theme)... I was very intruiged and mesmerized by "Fool's Paradise". I Have never seen Craig Hall before, and I'm now a huge fan. He and Wendy are amazing together- and I love the contrast their skin makes (as well as Aesha/ Adrian). There was a sigh when this one finished, and I felt it was pretty magical. I'm going to try to go to the open house rehearsal tomorrow- and will report if I make it there.

Congrats to them! Sort of on the same subject- does anyone know who was asked to be apprentices this spring after workshop? Sandi

So sad to be out of NYC for this- but I was just browsing the company website, and noticed that Erica is now listed as a member of the Corps de ballet. Congratulations Erica!