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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.

So funny. Thank you for sharing this.

Speaking of soloists being cast, I don't see Gina Pazcoguin cast much. Coffee of course, and I believe one Dew Drop. Meagan LeCrone is cast even less. Both of these ladies have been soloists for a long time.

Yes and Tiler Peck as Dewdrop, it could be quite a performance. If anyone is there please report. Also, I noted on instagram that some of the dancers were mentioning shows for students. There had been some discussion here about ticket prices, and giving kids an opportunity to see Nutcracker. Does anyone know how those performances work? Are the kids brought in from schools? Are the tickets subsidized? Just wondering how it works, if anyone knows.

That makes total sense. There should be a way have some more affordable tickets and, most importantly, to let people know about it. Their dynamic pricing is mysterious (to me anyway). I checked, out of curiosity. There are some shows for which you can't get a fourth ring seat for less then $115. On the other hand I saw a couple of mid-week evening shows that had $45 fourth ring tickets (not a lot, but some were still available). Someone who just wants to take their kids to see The Nutcracker, is not going to start hunting around like that for more affordable tickets.

My guess is that NYCB sees Nutcracker as a cash cow that helps fund less popular programs, and they squeeze every dime out of it they can. I don't blame them, but it would be nice to have a mechanism for inexpensive seats. Some Broadway shows have day of lotteries for cheap seats.

In case you haven't seen it, there was an article in yesterday's New York Post about Tiler Peck: https://nypost.com/2022/11/19/ballerina-tiler-peck-is-back-in-two-nutcrackers-and-still-loves-mikhail-baryshnikov/

Just listened to a wonderful discussion of Jennifer Homan's book at a Studio 5 City Center event. Alastair Macaulay with Homans and Lordes Lopez. Included two live dance excerpts. It's available for free streaming until November 28: https://www.nycitycenter.org/About/our-programs/studio5/

Didn't see this posted so just in case. Here's the NYTimes book review of the Jennifer Homans Balanchine bio: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/31/books/jennifer-homans-george-balanchine.html

You remind me a quote by David Vaughn, a wonderfully witty dance writer and fan I had the pleasure if knowing. (I may be paraphrasing a bit): The best Swan Lake you've ever seen is never the one you're watching. That always made me laugh.