vipa

I have tickets for Sun. mat. I just checked casting & Kajiya is doing Theme instead of Murphy. Oh No! I saw Kajiya in Ballo last year and thought her terribly miscast. Does anyone know what's up?

From reading these posts it seems that Lane seems to be becoming a love her or not dancer, much like Part. Interesting, I think her Theme was splendid, marred only by poor partnering. Cornejo has never been know for his partnering skills (short male dancer problem) and perhaps rehearsal time was lacking.

Maybe, but I'd rather see Lane & Kajiya be given those opportunities. I guess I'll have to buy a ticket to see Osipova to get it. I've only seen videos and my impression is - charming, big extension, big jump, a lot of energy and really unmusical. I know ABT has a history of guest artists, but sometimes the home team is actually of better quality. Maybe I'm wrong in this case; I'll have to see for myself.

Does anyone know who is staging it? That could be a big factor.

I think that they have never been listed as principals for this engagement, even from the first brochure that came out months ago. I suspect they'll be back for the Met season.

I was there too. What did you think?

What does "broke her neck" mean exactly?

Yes, it would be fun (although I don't think she's the most musical thing in the world), but personally I'd rather stick with the home team. If it is Simkin I'd like to see him partnered with an ABT up and coming.

I just checked ABT for casting and saw "Flames of Paris" for Oct. 28. Was that always there? I don't remember seeing it before. Maybe I just missed it. What is it replacing and why? No cast for it.

For those of you with ipods - all of Lopate's shows are available as podcasts

I really wish I could. Film is great but live is --- well you know!

I might be in the wrong place. I'm sorry. I just watched some video of Martine Van Hamel and realize how much I didn't appreciate her when she was dancing. Her technique, purity and joy are amazing. OK I am late in this realization but at that time at ABT I was a preteen very taken with Cynthia, Gelsey and even Eleanore D'Antuono. The Fracci vs Makarova divide was also in play. Martine WOW

I believe Joyce C. was a sensation in the 1960's she appeared at Radio City & was on the Ed Sullivan show when she was 12. I'm close to her age so I remember looking at her enviously as a kid. I was told by others that she tried to get into an American company with no success. She went to Stuttgart ballet and matured into a lovely dancer. My husband remembered Sandra Balesti because he saw photos of her when he was young and thought her beautiful! I think she did some Broadway roles. I hope others can fill in the blanks, I am curious.

Principal, in a big company with big and varied rep.Do you prefer the girl in Robbins' Afternoon of a Faun to be aware or (and to encourage) what's going on with the boy? or to aware to be in something of a trance? Something of a trance Guest Choreographer for a ballet company Twyla Tharp or Mark Morris

I believe the cat is Bottom and the picture around 1963. I think it's the cat Suzanne got, at Mr. B's suggestion to help her better relate to the character, Bottom in Midsummer Night's Dream. At least that's what I remember from her book.

Steifel wasn't listed in the most recent brochure that I received from ABT about the CC season.

Just took a quick look at the casting in the Times. A lot of TBA's. I am disappointed that there is no Lane/Corneja Ballo. I say Kajiya last year and thought she was miscast. I am so glad that Thomas is being given Jardin. For me (I am not able to go on Thursdays) wanting to see Lane is a problem but I'll probably get a ticket for 11/2 to see Thomas in Jardin. Ballo is TBA for that date. It probably won't be Lane as Kajiya is the Corneja partner for that ballet. What do you all think?

Yes, I so agree. I was also struck by his port de bras. He really knew how to shape his arms beautifully in a way that worked with his proportions.

I believe that this was after her first retirement. If I remember correctly, she had had it with ballet for a variety of reasons and retired. She then came back. I was a great fan of hers - Her Swan Lake is still the gold standard for me. She brought great intelligence, musicality and technique to every role she danced. I also particularly remember her in Theme & Variations and Lilac Garden. I did see her Grand Pas Classic with cigarette!! ABT had female stars with real followings at that time - Gregory, Kirkland, Van Hamel, Makarova, Fracci. It was fun!!

I used to live next door to her, and was in some dance classes with her (back in the day). She has always had a unique way of expressing herself verbally and as a dancer. She is an extremely intelligent person who never had the slightest interest in being conventional. When you listen to her speak you have to let go of certain expectations and just go with it. She is special. I remember one time, many years ago, when she couldn't open her locker because the combination lock was stuck. After many people tried the numbers, she marched out (pointe shoes and all) to the local hardware and got a hammer and banged it off with great glee. Not conventional, but direct, strong and the people in the hardware store loved it! I think of her with great affection and admiration, and enjoyed the interview very much because for me that is and always will be the unique Allegra. On a separate note - I wonder what her kids are doing.

I say both Cynthia & Martine in Giselle too. Cynthia had a vulnerability to her that Martine did not, but both offered splendid 2nd acts. I think that is was wonderful that they got an opportunity to dance a role that was considered "off type." In fact I think a fun topic might be - what dancers would you like to see in an "off type" role.

Wow - with all due respect there is some pretty strong mind reading going on here. Lane is musical, secure and makes the most of every minute on stage. She has some habits to work on, but I think she connects with her partners rather well. I loved Reyes as Giselle. I think this has been great year for her in terms of showing herself to be a "ballerina." I haven't liked her much in the past (except for a nice performance in an awful Cinderella), but this year her Etudes and Giselle were both wonderful. Which in a way leads me back to Lane. Sometimes it takes a while to grow a ballerina, but I think Lane has the ingredients. I also think that the up and coming women are so much stronger than the men. I have been very disappointed this year in the men in Blue Bird and Peasant PPD. What's going on?

Loved Nina in act 2. In act 1 technique and therefore musicality were a bit lacking. I must dare say that members of the audience showed such enthusiasm when she entered that in the minds of some she could do no wrong. Murphy was great -- a wonderful role for her. Peasant PPD - pretty mediocre. Nina's 2nd act was amazing.

I don't think so - a quote from ABT (it may be a Met policy) All ticket sales are final. There are no refunds, exchanges or cancellations. Casting is subject to change without notice.

Wow, I left too. My first & last time seeing this ballet. What is ABT doing spending money on this? I saw lots of empty seats in the house.