Jacqueline

Last night's performance was one for the ages -- at least in the point of view of this out-of-towner who isn't at NYCB often enough.  The entire DAAG cast really delivered and held the audience in their thrall.  Unity was dreamy as the mauve girl and really owned the role, and I thought she and Adrian D-W (whom I'd like to see a lot more often) made an excellent pair. Tyler Angle looked great both in his solos and his duet with Roman.  In her brief appearance as the green girl, Mira seemed like she was reveling in the memory of her brilliant performance the night prior in "Errante" -- as well she should. Unlike others, I felt Megan brought plenty of energy and sparkle as apricot girl.  Andres Z. was fine as brick boy, but what if instead, they paired Megan with a more "seasoned" dancer like Daniel Ulbricht?  Overall, there were too many great moments (including the "throws") to mention and it all just kept building.

This was the first time I've seen Brahms-Schoenberg. I loved the first and fourth movements watching Emily K. command the stage and then Sara bring the evening to a close with her wild abandon and huge smile. I might need to see the second and third movements a few more times -- and maybe with different casts -- to fully appreciate them. The corps in the third -- making lovely formations in pink clouds of tulle  -- was more striking to me than anything else.

i was at last night's performance as well.  It was my first time seeing BF and Steadfast. To echo Cobweb, for me, there's really no "point of view" to BF.  It was fun, frothy, and kind of like "having dessert first" while waiting for the main course -- Symphony in C.  There were definitely many fine performances (Gil Bolden was riveting and Emma von Enck always brings a special verve to the stage) but the piece itself felt largely forgettable.  I agree with others who think "Steadfast" needs to go back in the vault, but I don't think anyone could have performed it better than Fairchild and Ulbricht.

I saw the ballet formerly known as "Tzigane" many years ago in Los Angeles, performed by Suzanne Farrell's company. I don't have any remaining impression of that performance, but I will remember Mira's "Errante" forever. She seems fully in her own world but brings the audience in -- lucky us.  Symphony in C sent me home elated.  Chun Wai Chan is a treasure, so elegant and refined, and I thought he and Gerrity were great in the first movement, secure and expansive. I enjoyed Phelan and Knight in the second movement, and found unexpected emotion and depth there.  And the demis and corps looked exquisite. Can't say much more about the finale than what others have already said -- but I would watch it over and over again to see everyone executing the beautiful choreography in unison with speed, energy, grace and joy in equal measure.

I agree.  After having made peace with not getting to NYC for spring, I'm now having major FOMO.  So I will live vicariously through all of your reports and I thank you in advance!

Thanks for posting that video, vipa. Wow, I am super excited to (hopefully) see Sylvia PDD and very curious to see who will be cast.

Honestly, I have mixed feelings.  I am flying in from Texas for the weekend and was so looking forward to the Saturday p.m. power pas de deux  Can't believe Tiler would just have been debuting it.  I can't be unhappy for the chance to see Mira Nadon as Liberty Bell, or in any role, period.  But I seem to recall that many here thought, after she debuted the role earlier, that she needed to grow into it a bit?  Maybe that has happened, or will!   In any case, looking forward to seeing tomorrow night's performance and both shows on Saturday.  I didn't buy a ticket for Friday but would be sorely tempted to do so if Tiler and Roman were still dancing Tschai Pas.

46 minutes ago, abatt said:

Just curious.  How was the "second cast" that debuted in Solitude on Tuesday, featuring LaFreniere and Phelan in the secondary roles.

 

added - Since Tiler Peck was removed from the cast in Opus on Tuesday, I wonder if she will actually appear this weekend in Stars & Stripes and Tschai Pas.  If anyone looks at the casting sheet in the lobby please let us know of any additional cast changes.  Thanks. 

abatt, just saw on the online casting sheet that Mira Nadon is replacing Tiler Peck in Stars & Stripes at the Saturday matinee.  However, it looks like as of now she is still schedulued for Tschai Pas on Friday night.

Also, it appears that the program order for the "Balanchine + Wheeldon" program has been switched and that it will now begin with "Stars and Stripes" and end with "Carnival of the Animals" instead of the opposite.  I've never seen "Carnival" so I'm not sure why.  Anyone have any insights?

I will be at that performance!  So excited!

I have a ticket for what I think is the last performance of Ballo for the season on Feb. 29.  Flying in from Texas at the crack of dawn that morning.  I would love to see Emma, so fingers crossed, but I can't be unhappy at the prospect of Megan or Tiler.  I've never seen Ballo performed live so counting my blessings.

Is it true that the Janice Levin Dancer is announced on the first night of winter season?  If so, any guesses -- or intel -- on this year's recipient?  And looking forward to reports on tonight's performance!

13 hours ago, FPF said:

He's listed for Polyphonia on January 25th.

Thank you for the correction, FPF.  I guess my eyes were just looking for him in the "Spring" section of  The Four Seasons!

No Chun Wai Chan either.  I really enjoyed him in Spring in 2022.

2 hours ago, BalanchineFan said:

Nutcracker is about so much more than Ballet. I was at the 1 o’clock matinee today. It was the perfect time to take a young child for the first time, as at least half the audience had done. I stood in the fourth Ring next to a parent whose daughter was a soldier in the first half. They would be leaving at intermission. She has a 5 pm show, too. 

The audience laughed at Fritz’s antics and several children gasped audibly when he broke the Nutcracker.  During intermission many children did their own dances inspired by what they had just seen. 

Alexandra Hutchinson was a lovely Dewdrop, athletic with strong balances and exceptional attitude turns. There are stylistic differences evident to those accustomed to seeing NYCB dancers in the role, she is less mannered in the arms and fingers, for example, but with her buoyant jump and graceful presence she had fans up to the 4th Ring. 

I was happy to see a new Marzipan, Lauren Collett. Dark haired and long limbed, her footwork was fleet and she seemed to take risks  stepping into pointe in a wide 2nd position. Shelby Mann and Zoe Bliss Magnusen were charming, well matched and secure as the Dolls

Unity Phelan and Joseph Gordon as SPF and Cavalier brought more glamour and  pyrotechnics. Phelan is more assured than last year, playing with the music and responding to the young prince, eating up space in her manege of turns. There’s a spectacular finish to her dancing. Gordon is a lovely prince, it’s amazing that such powerful jumps and turns can land so softly, silently. 

A different conductor was announced and at times a few dancers seemed to be at odds with the music. Candy Cane missed his last hoop jumps but finished nobly, making up for it in the coda. Mackenzie Soares’ Mother Ginger is the most strict and sober I’ve seen, the Polichinelles as delightful as ever. Coffee had to contend with a wailing child. Janelle Manzi danced ably, but doesn’t quite reach the seamless, languid heights of other Coffees. She doesn’t have Kikta’s height or length on her side.  Remembering Whelan in the role you had a sense of fires burning down below, some great engine stoking her along, whatever rhythm the choreography called for. 

As I left, a father was complimenting his child, carrying her in his arms, “Your first show. You were great!” I thought he, too, was parent to a young cast member, but no, he was just commending his toddler for behaving throughout her first live performance in the audience. Somehow, on this rainy Sunday, that seemed just as appropriate a Nutcracker moment as anything related to ballet. 

Thank you for that beautiful report, Balanchine Fan!  As someone who cannot be there, because of distance (I'm in Texas) or high ticket prices or sellouts, I appreciate it.  During the regular season(s) I feel like we get almost nightly reports thanks to all of our Ballet Alert friends on the ground, but not so during Nutcracker.  I'm glad Joseph Gordon -- one of my favorites -- is back.  

9 minutes ago, matilda said:

Nice footage of Ava but since that's not the Balanchine choreography, I wouldn't assume she's in the running for an SPF debut any time soon. Alexa Maxwell and Olivia MacKinnon have to be next in line. 

Interesting, matilda, I did not notice that.  Could she be rehearsing for a gig?  Are corps members even able to do gigs with their heavy Nutcracker workload?

Ava Sautter posted footage of herself rehearsing the Sugarplum solo on Instagram a few hours ago.  I don't know what that portends for the final week of Nutcracker but hope they give her a chance!  

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0e1UaxgJwv/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

2 hours ago, uptowner said:

NYCB Instagram is posting quite a bit of stage rehearsal footage in “stories” today (11/24) 

Amazing and abundant content, including several different dancers rehearsing Dewdrop.  I would give anything to see Mira's performance tonight, and all the others as well.

Roman Mejia and Tiler Peck are guesting in both the Dallas area with Chamberlain Ballet (Thanksgiving weekend) and Los Angeles with Westside Ballet (first weekend of December.)

I love the idea of Bradley as a soloist.  Jones it seems has had many more opportunities but for some reason she is not as compelling to me.

vipa, thank you so much for the report!  I am glad that Unity Phelan had a great day today.  Being from out of town, I haven't had that many opportunities to see her, but I agree with the spotting/turning comment because she seemed to have that issue when I saw her (twice) in Tchai Pas -- both with Gordon and Furlan as her partners.  However, I thought she made a very beautiful and enchantingTitania...seems to be a very good role for her.   I will be in town for the Oct. 11 75th anniversary celebration performance and also the night after for Serenade/Orpheus/Theme + Variations.  I cannot wait to see casting for those.

What an exciting evening last night.  I love all the reports.  Now that the impressive and massive gathering of NYCB alumni has already happened, is there anything else special planned for the actual anniversary performance on October 11th?  Don't know how they could top that but if anyone has any intel, please share.

2 minutes ago, vipa said:

I appreciate all the reports and am intrigued and grateful for all the photos and video on social media. Does anyone know if Suzi Pilarre was there, or either of the Neary sisters?

Yes, Colleen Neary was there along with her husband Thordal Christensen, also an alum.  I think I saw Pat but not certain.  (Both used to teach at my daughter's school in LA, founded by the late Yvonne Mounsey.)

Ashley Hod just posted on her public facing Instagram stories that both Alexa Maxwell and Olivia MacKinnon have become soloists!

Also KJ Takahashi, per a story posted by Emilie Gerrity.

Me too!  And kind of surprised that bumps from corps to soloist didn't happen too.  It's time for many of them, most especially Maxwell.  And just based on casting and workload, Olivia MacKinnon and I'm sure others like Riccardo and Takahashi.  

Vipa, I so agree with you!  I am a longtime fan of Ashley Laracey and  often fantasize about how wonderful it would be if her talents and dedication were finally rewarded with a promotion to principal even if she is not expected to dance that many more   years.   But who cares?  She has earned it and then some.  Of course, there are many things about the inner workings of the company and its finances that I don't know.  

In some versions of SB, the same fairy is known as the "Fairy of the Golden Vine."  I cannot find any information to back this up, but I remember reading in a program long ago that the "pointing" is meant to encourage said vine to grow upward.