vipa

Congrats - as a mom of two sort of grown children (19 & 21), I hope you enjoy parenthood as much as I did and do. It is a wonderful journey.

Kowroski and Neal were magnificent indeed. " Diamonds" has all the emotion that some multi act ballets have, minus the mime and "story telling" of course that was Balanchine's point. I liked Lowry. I enjoy her amplitude combined with speed. I can see how others don't enjoy her as much. At the same time I thougt Fairchild wasn't edgy enough. Loved both Bouder and Ringer in "Emeralds." I wouldn't have cast Bouder in this role, but it worked. I understand she is also doing "Rubies." The only problem I saw in "Diamonds" was that in the 4 girls "folksy section" one of the girls kept getting off.

Is Reyes injured? Lane replaced her in Blue Bird pdd recently.

Thanks for your suggestions. I'm going to see her Swan Lake. I'm really looking forward to it.

Question - Help wanted. I've never seen Vishneva dance. I saw Murphy (replacing Kent) the other night. I really disliked the production, but enjoyed much of the dancing. I can still get a ticket for Vishneva on Sat. althought it would be a stretch budget wise. Is it worth it?? Thanks in advance for your input

Thank you -- well said!

Would it be too complicated or silly to add a "favorite soloist" catagory? I mean those dancers that we've looked forward to seeing but who haven't reach the level of "star" or in some cases "principal" or been cast in the traditional major roles. Suki Shurer and Chirstine Sarry come to my mind (I feel old too).

I'd like to add a few comments after seeing tonight's performance in which Murphy replaced Kent. The Gottlieb review covers the problems with the production well. The shower curtain, the cramped look of the stage, etc. On the positive side - It's great to have Steifel back. Murphy was much better than I expected. I've liked her in Sylvia and some other things but didn't expect to like her as Aurora. I thought she glowed in a fiesty Irish princess sort of way (I enjoyed it). She and Steifel had some moments that actually brought me to tears. Lane was terrific in Bluebird, althought her partner, Lopez, seemed quite nervous. Wiles was good in some sections but seemed almost small in some ways. I wish Part had been cast as Lilac. It seems almost perverse not to have her do it at least once. What a terrible production. Others have gone into more details that I don't need to reiterate. Question - Do you think that Murphy's performances were affected by the fact that she expected to do one Aurora and be first cast for Lilac, but instead will do 3 Aurora's and no Lilacs? Was she the "just in case there is an injury" Aurora? Thank you everyone - I love your posts!!

Does that mean no Lilac Fairy performances from Murphy?

NYSusan, "Shimmering epaulment, breathtaking balances, perpect purity of line", it sounds like you're describing a memorable Aurora! Lane was the reason I bought my June 5 ticket. I look forward to her promotion to soloist as much as Part fans look forward to her promotion to principal. Interesting that the only performance that is close to sold out is the Murphy afternoon performance on June 9.

Boy is that overthinking nonsense. I hope that lot of time was not spent miming that. It makes me fell like "just dance."

Thank you all so much. I wish I could have been there. I'm going on Tuesday. Any opinions on Princess Florine?

I have a ticket for Kent on June 5. Anyone know why Kent is out?

This has always been a differance between ABT & NYCB. NYCB has a tradition of corps dancers being thrown into lead roles. The rep lends itself to it. ABT with it's big ballets relies so called "bankable" stars. Never the less, I have my ticket to see Lane in Blue Bird PPD. I wish ABT would release fuller casting.

I was on the Barnard dance faculty at that time and remember Sean being nervous about selecting music and choreographing and then coming up with delightful stuff. I don't know if what's being done by SAB is exactly the same or a rework, but what he did at Banard was truly charming.

Also, given that VP sometime shows obvious nerves when faced with technical challenges, maybe it is good for her to be out there when the stakes are not so high. Onstage time in smaller roles can really help a person develop. This might be something VP wants.

Wouldn't it be fun (or not - you tell me) if Kevin Mc took Peter Martins' idea and drummed up some business with "young playing young." Of course Aurora is much more demanding in terms of technique than Juliet but an interesting idea. I've seen Lane in Theme & Variations and she has a lot going for her. Do we have to wait until she is 29 or 30 so see her do Aurora because she has to stand in line? Casting in ABT has never been as fluid as in NYCB - but what if?

I hope that as Part is promoted to principal Lane is promoted to soloist.

Ted Kivitt danced with D'Antuono quite a bit. I think he went on to run the Milwakee Ballet. Michel Denard and Jonas Kage were among the tall men brought in to partner Cynthia Gregory, I believe.

Suzanne Farrell in Mozartiana Fonteyn & Nureyev in one remarkale matinee of Romeo and Juliet.

I don't think that audiences should have to take all this into consideration. When I pay for a ticket I should be able to go to the ballet without thinking about who got the most coaching or who has a stomach ache. If Part (as I hope she does) presents a wonderful Aurora I will give her credit for being wonderful. I won't say - well she got the best partners, coaching, benefits etc. so it isn't really her doing. ABT is a tough place. Self relience is demanded and expected of all.

Sorry I don't really know where to put this. There is a photo at State Theater that I'm confused about. It is Coppelia in rehearsal. The caption lists Helgi Tomasson, Sean O'Brien & Patricia McBride (sorry for any spelling errors). Then there is a line that lists others in the photo. I found most of the others My problem is the main subjects of the photo (2 couples in rehersal). No one looks like Helgi to me. I can't tell whether or not one of the women is perhaps Patty McBride. Who would the other woman be? Does anyone know?

I agree, I was in row Q this evening and I was very uncomfortable watching Kistler. On the other hand Ana Sophia Scheller is becoming one of my favorites.

I am hoping to see Part promoted to principal, and I think she will be if she has a good season. I am not her greatest fan, but I appreciate her great attributes. For me the catch has always been the fear that I sense when she approaches technique that she finds problematic. I feel her fear and then more often than not see the flub. That said, I was hoping that this season would be her moment. I still hope she can be a total Aurora, but for better or for worse a gracious Rose Adagio is part of that. She is approaching the age of 30 (correct me if I'm wrong) so it seems that it is now or never.

Has a big premier replacement ever happened?