Barbara

I'm asking advice for a friend traveling to St. Petersburg in May and would like to attend the ballet. She looked at dates for the Mariinsky and it appears during her stay they are doing short works including Carmen and Marguerite & Armand. However, she would prefer to see a full length and found that the Hermitage Theatre Ballet is doing Swan Lake during her visit. Do any of you have knowledge or opinion of whether or not she should stick with the top tier Mariinsky or if the Hermitage would be an acceptable option? She enjoys ballet but is relatively new to it and hasn't seen a lot of different companies. She mentioned she read that the Hermitage dancers are Vaganova trained so perhaps the difference between companies wouldn't be that important. Any thoughts or suggestions appreciated!

My pet peeve at any theatre performance but especially ballet is when people lean forward in their seats, which may be great for them but puts a silhouette of their head directly in the view of the person behind them. I always politely tell them that they may not realize it but when they lean forward they block the view of the person behind. them. Sometimes it helps, sometimes not.

You have a lot to celebrate these days, Cristian! Thanks for bringing the fun to us!

Looks in fine fettle! Such a pleasure to see him emerge!

Hallelujah! Hope it goes well with the AB and that he will make his way back to the States. Can we hope for any of the tbds in the Met Season?

I've been listening to Lauren Fadely's podcast and wonder if anyone saw her Myrtha or Giselle and can report. Myrtha was her debut with MCB having previously danced the part at PAB but Giselle was a true debut.

Awwww, the perfect musical choice to enter the world!

Adorable! And the clothes! Congratulations, Cristian!

I'm just back from today's matinee. I love Monotones even though both Sarah and Misty were a little wobbly, it's still so beautiful. But the Stearns/Part/Forster trio were to die for - sublime! I enjoyed the new Lang piece very much and would like to see it again. Stella and James were lyrical and passionate. Jamie Kopit replaced Luciana Paris and looked like she was having a blast. Kudos to her for rising to the occasion! The high point for me was Prodigal Son. I was transfixed. I know I've seen it before but can't remember when although it had to have been NYCB. In any case, I was leery about Hee Seo in the role of the Siren but I was totally won over. She used her gorgeous legs and feet for maximum effect. (It didn't look from the 2nd Ring as if she was wearing the white tights with the serpent-y black lines. Am I wrong?) Cirio was simply stunning - this is a perfect role for him, he was arrogant and pathetic and touching. An acting tour de force. Bravo!

I had a feeling Veronika would be stunning as the Siren and sorry I couldn't be there. I'm seeing Hee at the Saturday matinee and can't quite picture her lyricism being suited to this role.

So good to hear, abatt! I don't seek out Millepied's choreography based on some past pieces I didn't care for but now I'll watch for this. Snippets of rehearsal on social media were intriguing.

I saw Adrian D-W in Glass Pieces Sun matinee, also T. Angle in Stars & Stripes - both seemed uninjured. Hope it is something minor. L. Lovette also posted a cryptic instagram message (no time to figure out how to link it here) but if she's injured I also hope that is minor. Heavy Nutcracker season ahead!

That's wonderful new, Cristian! I can just picture the fun you'll have taking her to the ballet!

I suppose the "sell out" factor plus hometown girl is the reason Misty gets 3 performances and everyone else gets 2 except for Sarah Lane's 1? I'm not being snarky, truly wondering. I know Sarah isn't a principal but she could have danced a second performance. Also, it seems if a dancer at ABT is injured and has to be recast that Mr. McKenzie overlooks them for future casting? Ala Stella in Giselle and now Veronika in Nutcracker? I understand there must be a myriad of reasons behind casting that the public doesn't understand but this is the perception.

I see David Hallberg is still listed as a principal. One continues to wonder and hope.

I'll miss seeing Kenny Easter! He was a hilarious step-sister in Ashton's Cinderella as well as appreciated in so many corps roles. Good luck and best wishes to him!

Yes, toast! I add to the thanks of maintaining this wonderful site. It's a daily fix for me!

I've got to think that he's been touch with Kevin McKenzie and someone at the Bolshoi (or did he finish his contract there?) but he's been off grid from any social media since last December. I wonder if he will still be on leave status for fall ABT season as he was for spring.

I'm dubious (and sad) about whether or not Semionova and especially Hallberg will return. I really hope that we do get a well-healed Lendorf, maybe even in the fall. So maybe the "home team" will continue to get more opportunities.

I very much enjoy Gorak and his lovely line and deportment but I agree with FauxPas here. I'm not sure how one attains stage presence but acting and coaching might help. He should talk to Roman Z for some tips.

Beautifully put, mimsyb! I'm in total agreement.

To segue back to the Swan Lake discussion (although I'm enjoying the discussion of the current and future state of ABT): We all know that Gomes is the ultimate purple V. Rothbart, but I'm curious who here thinks is the best (or has the potential to be) of the remaining dancers doing the role. I saw Hammoudi do the role last week and was disappointed. He didn't command the stage (although he had the cape swirl down pat) and lacked control in several of the steps. I would have liked to have seen Forster and Baca. Any reports on them? PS - I'm sad for the audience that Baca is leaving ABT but happy for him in his new path, secretly hoping that one day he'll return.

Would also love to see Janzen promoted! I guess it will take for time for Ashley Bouder to return. Hope to see her back in the fall.

I started it and didn't get very far before I gave up. It just didn't grab me - I found the author's voice very choppy and didn't find the characters compelling. I'm finding lately that if a book doesn't get my attention pretty quickly I give myself permission to put it aside. If anyone else liked it, please report - maybe I'll give it another shot.

Yes, yes, California, Gomes WAS purple vonRothbart! I must have been thinking of the old ABT Corsaire - I think that's the only other one I have.