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Thank you for that post, I agree Stiefel PS could be great so I am probably going with Sat. mat. I'm a Lane fan so that also works in that respect. Lane is also Thurs. with Boone in PS which is also tempting, but Stiefel is the deciding factor for me.

In the mid late 1980's when my kids were small and money tight (no money for a sitter or tickets). I didn't go to the ballet. Then I went back with fresh eyes, but felt disappointed with NYCB so switched to ABT! For the past 2 years I've been able to go to both and am loving it. Taking a break is not bad. I think you do come back with fresh eyes. You come back to some dancers that have matured and others you haven't seen before. Maybe you want a diet of some modern dance companies and/or Ailey for a while.

My humble opinion - in this case totally acceptable. At the same time, I feel that there had been standing ovation inflation. So many times in theater (not dance or music yet) a standing ovation is an automatic, as if the audience is congratulating themselves on their brilliant choice of ticket. In your case. seems to me, the tribute was justified and the woman behind you was rude.

Saw Sat. May 9 evening. A. Stafford was anything but small scale in Concerto Barocco. She gobbled up space, which she combined with a beautiful clarity of movement. She owns the ballet, which was over all very well danced, I thought. Meanwhile Savannah Lowery was anything but small scale in the Sanguinic section. She went for it all in a big way, she had a small mishap but that didn't ruin it for me at all. Tch pas was very enjoyable with Ana Sophia (all glittery musicality in her variation) and Jared Angle. There is a nice masculinity in his partnering. I really liked the way they related int he pas. Anyone else there? I thought that the company looked terrific, and that it was an excellent night of ballet and music.

Still no sign of Bouder.

Zhong was lovely a number of years ago in Les Sylphides. She doesn't seem to be cast much these days in soloist roles (correct me if I'm wrong). Perhaps she is one of those lovely dancers who doesn't manage to impress management in the right way at the right time. It is a tough business. None the less I'm truly delighted that so many corps members & soloists are being given principal roles at the Met. I haven't purchased all of my tickets yet. I'm still deciding on what Prokofiev performance to choose. What does everyone else think?

I wish the same. Cynthia Gregory retired for a time (I believe she felt burnt out) and then returned to ABT. Perhaps Ansanelli will do the same. Whatever happens I wish her well. I loved her at NYCB>.

Maybe Simone Messmer too!?!

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!

Has anyone else something to report about NYCB so far?

I see by the more complete casting at the ABT site she's 1st cast principal for On the Dnieper. Seo is second cast lead.

Yes agreed. Basically in Russian fouettes the working leg goes directly side and then to the knee, and the more common form has what can be described as a stirring motion with the working leg. I prefer the non-Russian way, I find that it generally lends itself to a smoother less jerky motion, but either can be beautiful if done well.

I saw Coppelia on Wednesday. Megan Fairchild was wonderful. I hadn't seen her for a couple of years and remember being not taken with her, well times change. Her first solo was so musical and lovely that it set a wonderful tone and expectation for the rest of the ballet (that she then fulfilled). For me, in respect to her performance, there was a second here and there that was not perfection, but I don't think you will find a better overall performance of the role. Moments of the wedding pas were heart stoppingly beautiful. She really carried the ballet. I liked De Luz and La Fosse made a very sympathetic Dr. Coppelius. I've never seen the NYCB Coppelia before, and found the character dances weird. Some mighty tall peasants!! I thought Kathryn Morgan lovely in the Hours, but was disappointed in Dawn & Prayer. Reichlen seemed strangely unco-ordinated in Dawn. Her upper body didn't match her legs. Krohn didn't seem to get Prayer. She didn't have the amplitude and fullness of movement that the music asks for. I did enjoy Faye Arthurs Spinner and Bar and Hendrick in War (which seemed very Monty Pythonish to me). I really enjoyed the ballet and the main revelation to me was Megan Fairchild. I fell in love with her (my husband did too). Anyone else go? I'd love to hear.

That's strange because the bios usually include only the ballets in which the individual has a principal role. Maybe they are old links that had dates that were removed. I have no ideas why the link would still be there but that's a possibility.

Thank you for the information, nice role for an apprentice. BTW of the four I thought Lydia Wellington was outstanding. Again, I am interested in everyones thoughts (I suspect it will be a different topic strand)

If this is the wrong place I apologize. I just saw Coppelia. I'm interested in everyone's opinions. My question - there are 2 dancers who danced Jesterettes who don't seem to be on the roster. Kristen Segin & Callie Bachman. Who are they? Or am I just wrong?

No flaming here either. Fonteyn had beautiful proportions in a classical sense. Just beautiful and pleasing to look at. Photos of a young Fonteyn reveal a South American look (in my opinion) that was not so apparent as she matured. I still vote for Alexandra Ansanelli (a useless fantasy)

YES - Any maybe act it too. I have not idea if AA can act but she has an elegant quality the Fonteyn had & is beautiful.

I won't be there so I look forward to BTers reports. I'm sure V Part will be wonderful in Preghiera. 2 things of interest to me - Beloserkovshy with Herrera (I've only seen him partner Dvorovenka) and closing with Lane/Simkin the last movement of Theme. The partnering in the last movement of theme is tricky. I am sure that each will be up to the solo parts - but the partnering? I hope so. It's funny that Simkin isn't scheduled to do Theme during the season but is doing the finale at the gala. Again, I look forward to your reports.

I wish she'd guest with ABT again.

You never know. Barbara Bears returned to Houston Ballet after "retiring." Perhaps the management at Royal Ballet could be so kind as to make some sort of "if you ever decide to dance again, you still have a place here with us" arrangement. I'm old enough to remember Cynthia Gregory's retirement and come back. Cynthia had just had it with being a dancer for a lot of reasons. After a time away she came back and was great. I'd be sorry to not see Ansanelli dance again. Interesting to note she started late and ended early!!

I think this is a new role for her.

Boy, I would love to see Sarah in Giselle. If you don't mind my asking, who was her Albrecht? I just bought my ticket to see her Theme at the Met (she was the reason I chose the performance).

I just noticed that Sarah Lane is cast in Corsaire on May 27 & 29. I think this is a new role for her. June 10 La Sylphide is still TBA.

I'm a little disappointed that I don't see Bouder's name.