vipa

I was thinking about Emma von Enck and Sara Adams as possibilities. Are there usually 5 casts? If Von Enck and Adams don't get Aurora, my bet is they'll both get cast in blue bird pas

Thanks so much for sharing this. After listening to the podcast, I'm much more excited about seeing the ballet. It sounds like it could work as a concept, and perhaps as importantly, there are about 34 dancers in the cast, and there are two casts. If nothing else it will be a great opportunity to see a lot of company member shine.

I agree volcanohunter, I wonder what audience they have in mind? I much more enjoyed the one they used pre-pandemic that I pasted below.

Thanks for posting the trailer BalanchineFan. Maybe this would appeal to me if I was young and hip, but I wish they'd just show us some of the (hopefully) exciting dancing we can expect to see on stage.

In looking at ABT's Met season offerings I sincerely hope that Like Water for Chocolate has a lot of dancing for a lot of people, particularly the men in the corps. The other ballets: Giselle, Swan Lake, and R&J are pretty skimpy when it comes to dancing for the men, outside of principal and soloist roles, and there are no rep shows.

Thank you for your thoughtful remarks Buddy. The idea of "the next Balanchine" has been with us since his death. It's always seemed to me that critics and writers are eager to find/coronate someone for that role. Ratmansky could turn out to be one of the greatest choreographers of this century, creating lasting works that touch us deeply, interest us and bring us joy. Being the next Balanchine is another matter! Balanchine changed the look of ballet, started a school that has the legacy of his training. He hired his dancers, ran his company and of course created new works. He is known to have said that one day he'd be known more for his teaching than for his choreography. Of course that remains to be seen! In any event, I agree that Gia Kourlas is hoping for the next Balanchine, I just wish that idea would go away! I hope that, at NYCB, Ratmansky finds what he needs right now to produce great works that have staying power. That would be a gift for all of us.

In general I would say that NYCB has more of a tradition of encouraging individuality and imagination in their dancers than ABT. At ABT sometimes I feel the coaching of some roles (Odette for example), seems to get very specific, particularly with musical phrasing.

I've often wondered about coaching at ABT. It seems Kolpakova is the main coach for the principals in the classical full lengths. Susan Jones seems to still be there for the corps. John Gardner, Amanda McKerrow, Nancy Raffa and Carlo Lopez are each listed as a Director of Repertoire. What exactly does that mean at ABT? Do they each have a slice of the rep to teach and coach?

Good grief - I can only imagine this is some marketing person's idea of eye catching, and hope it doesn't really represent the ballet! I plan to go once to check it out.

I noticed that many NYCB dancers shared the happy news on their IG accounts.

This should be very interesting. I always thought Ratmansky did some of his best work for NYCB. With both Justin Peck and Ratmansky on board, will there be fewer new works by other choreographers at NYCB? This is a question not a complaint!

Thanks for posting California. It sounds like new, full length, narrative ballets are of great interest to Jaffe. I'm not a fan so I envision myself going to see ABT less and less. I wonder what current rep she is interesting in preserving?

Thanks for the correction, Helene. I'm still excited! I'm sure it will be wonderful.

I'm surprised too at the Clark casting in Haieff, also that Unity Phelan isn't doing it. I believe last time it went, Phelan did every performance of it. I hope Mearns will indeed be back, after missing Nutcrackers. It's only the first week so it's hard to judge the season, however Erica Pereira has some nice roles, and no sign of Emma Von Enck yet. I admit, I'm getting excited!

I'm so excited that this is being live streamed. I haven't seen this production of Giselle and am really eager to!

Looking at winter I definitely want to see the All Balanchine (Stravinky Violin, Haieff, Valse Fantaisie, Donizetti) and Classic NYCB I ( Allegro Brillante,Liturgy, Walpurgisnacht, Firebird). I'll check out the new Peck. Interestingly, I got a NYCB flyer in the mail that was devoted entirely to promoting that ballet. A full length with so many shows is a big risk. On Sleeping Beauty, I've seen both Fairchild and Peck as Aurora. Both were very, very good but I wouldn't say transcendent. I'd love to see Woodward or Emma Von Enck. I've said before, Laracey is one of my all time favorites as Lilac Fairy. I believe Mearns has retired that role. Nadon could get Lilac or Aurora. Sara Adams is another possible Aurora. I'm assuming Bouder won't be back in the role. Like Cobweb, I am looking forward to casting. A real changing of the guard is taking place. On a related note, I like Unity Phelan very much, but IMO she's over- used.

Just saw an amazing movie, Women, Talking, Written and directed by Sarah Polley, based on a novel by Mirian Toews. It seems to be having a very limited run, but if it's near you see it! It's engrossing and ultimately up-lifting. Amazing performances. Here's the official trailer.

If we're talking about upcoming casting, Sleeping Beauty is the big one and I hope Laracey does Lilac. I'm wondering about Donizetti Variations. It was a big Bouder role, so I wonder what will happen there. Woodward seems a natural and maybe Emma Von Enck. On IG Unity Phelan posted a rehearsal of herself doing the principal role in Walpurgisnacht, so she'll be one cast. That was a big Mearns role, and she was wonderful in it. Hope she's in the mix for winter casting.

They don't necessarily need an Artist in Residence do they? They can commission new works from Ratmansky or anyone else, while maintaining their current rep. They don't really need a "house choreographer."

Thank you for this report Josette. I don't follow ABT as much as I do NYCB, so I was surprised to hear this was Trenary's debut. So glad it went well. I'm a fan of hers!

Looks like Daniel Ulbricht gets two shots at Cavalier this season, the first being Dec. 21. I've always felt he was underutilized in general, so it's nice to see him get a few opportunities even if it is late in his career. A lot of soloists were heavily called upon this Nutcracker season, as was corps member Olivia MacKinnon. It's hard to know in Nutcracker casting what's due to dancers' outside gigs, COVID, and various injuries, but it will be interesting to see how casting takes shape post Nutcracker. I think Nadon and Hod are on principal track, and Olivia M on her way to soloist. I'd love to see Alexa Maxwell promoted too.

Seems like LeCrone, Pereira and particularly Pazcoguin haven't been cast much in Nutcracker this year. Although Pereira did get a a few SPF's. And when was the last time Brittany Pollock performed? Pollack, Pazcoguin and LeCrone became soloists in 2013, Pereira in 2009. None of them are on principal track (so it seems to me). I have to wonder how much longer they'll be there. Also, from looking at Nutcracker casting it seems Olivia MacKinnon is being given a lot of opportunities, as a corps member. I haven't seen her in Nutcracker, any have impressions of her? I feel like management might be testing her.

Thanks BalanchineFan. I'd forgotten this was happening. It was delightful. I could have watched for another hour!. Suki Schorer is irresistible and the dancers lovely both in their dancing and as people.

Sterling and Megan Fairchild are dancers who speak fondly of Martins. Kathryn Morgan in interviews has said he was nothing but supportive of her during her struggles. I do not want to re-open the whole Peter Martins debate; it's complicated and always has been. Personally, I'm glad that, Martins as a 76 year old man, is able to receive public acknowledgement from dancers who are grateful to him.

I'm eagerly awaiting reports. Sara Mearns posted front of curtain bows on her IG feed. It's been touching and lovely to see so many tributes to Hyltin, from her colleagues, on social media. I hope her final performance was everything she hoped for. I'll miss seeing her on stage.