angelica

5 hours ago, California said:

Joseph Gordon made his debut in Square Dance Tuesday, after four days learning the role (as per his social media). Did anybody see it?

There is something so special about Joseph Gordon's carriage, that I would buy a ticket simply to see him stand in fifth position for an entire ballet.

On 5/21/2023 at 7:30 AM, DanielBenton said:

Amen.  Acocella's is a very meaningful review that touches on the essence of Homan's endeavour.

Agree, but for Part 2 of her review, which focuses almost entirely on Balanchine's sexual life, preferences, proclivities. I'm giving my granddaughter a copy of the book as a gift and wanted to include the Acocella review, but now I'm thinking of giving her only Part 1 of the review. In the book, the sexual stuff is spread out and in context, whereas in Part 2 of the review it has a spotlight on it.

16 minutes ago, FauxPas said:

Schevchenko has been a fine Gamzatti and could be a gorgeous Nikiya.  I wonder if the one-act "Kingdom of the Shades" is exempt from being culturally insensitive?  That used to be programmed often as a standalone work and could work for few ballerinas in the company like Schevchenko.

Since Shevchenko's promotion to Principal, I have thought of her as a world-class ballerina, but unless she dances more in major roles, I'm afraid she's going to be left behind. Both Bayadere and Corsaire have the kind of roles that keep a dancer in performance shape. As someone said above, she was kept too long in soloist purgatory. Please, do whatever it takes to keep those ballets in the repertory and give Shevchenko two performances of each. The more she dances, the better she'll get.

14 hours ago, Drew said:

I seem to have bought a “partial view” seat for Like Water For Chocolate at the Met. I did this more or less by mistake (don’t ask) but I am thinking it may not be ALL bad as it would take me closer to the stage than I can usually risk in an orchestra seat. And in my distant youth I did sometimes enjoy oddball seats. Anyway, I would be in the front row of Parterre Box 7. Has anyone sat in that box (or 8 across the horseshoe)? Any impressions to share? 

Side Parterre was my go-to section when I didn't want to spring for Center Orchestra. The Met never used to call these seats partial view, but they are definitely partial view. However, the loss of a sliver of the stage was made up for, for me, by being closer to the stage, which I always like. I used to sit in Box 5, splitting the difference between being close up and the partial view. As long as you're in the first row of side parterre, you should be fine. This gives you a chance to decide for yourself for future ticket purchases.

If ABT were to cast Simkin, I would definitely buy tickets to his performances.

Does anyone know if Simkin is joining another company or whether he will freelance as a guest artist around the world?

We will also be able to see this in Wheeldon's LWFC--coming to New York soon! In the old days, ABT would be only one week away....sigh.

MERDE!!!!

Thank you.

On 3/21/2023 at 1:22 PM, bingham said:

Why is she known as Russian Girl? Just curious. Thanks 

And why are the blueberries so named?

19 hours ago, ABT Fan said:

 I hope Jaffe will make better programming decisions for next year than McKenzie has saddled us with.

McKenzie's parting gift to ABT>

4 hours ago, ABT Fan said:

It wouldn’t be original or even ideal, but they could absolutely cut Chocolate down to one week and just add 4 or so more SL performances. We all know SL sells and at this late stage they probably don’t have time to start rehearsing a different ballet (or ballets) to add. This would also give dancers more than one shot in SL and/or they could throw in some much needed debuts (Trenary for one).

I am a subscriber, but I would definitely buy an extra ticket to see Trenary dance SL, in addition to the two SLs I'm already seeing.

But if they were to cancel some of the LWFC performances, it would be a slap in the face to Wheeldon, which I can't imagine any company doing.

On 3/18/2023 at 12:28 AM, Josette said:

That video of her in the Act Ii pas de deux with Cornejo is beautiful.  Trenary is so expressive.  

I totally agree. I was mesmerized by that video and watched it several times. Trenary is so versatile. 

14 hours ago, susanger said:

Yahoo!

https://www.abt.org/stella-abrera-named-artistic-director-of-abt-jko-school/?utm_source=social+media&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=ABT23_stellaabrera&fbclid=IwAR3Mf0CPnLB1tCQURkAnjgvtfvYi-2f7PlnlGkn16Zjv1-wFon_lqdU0X5s

I have ADORED Stella Abrera since I first saw her as Lilac Fairy years ago. I am excited to see she has emerged as one of the most important ballerinas of her generation after an injury and an artistic director kept her away from the stage for too long. Best wishes, Stella! You will always shine!

20 hours ago, YouOverThere said:

I tested positive for covid this evening (Sunday)

 

So sorry to hear. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

23 minutes ago, nanushka said:

I loved Marcelo Gomes' Carabosse in Ratmansky's production at ABT.

Marcelo can do anything!

12 hours ago, ABT Fan said:

iNeither is Shayer, who has done Mercutio several times - still on the roster, but hasn't performed since I believe last summer. I haven't seen any announcement but he had alluded on his IG to being a guest artist now (but, again, still not dancing).

I saw Shayer dance Mercutio last summer and he was extremely sloppy in the role. I will never go to see him again,

I will miss you, Connor. Please keep posting on Instagram so we can continue  to follow you. Whatever you do, I'm sure it will be interesting and inventive.

On 1/6/2023 at 3:36 PM, lacdescygnes said:

I still don't seek out Whiteside as a dancer but after reading Center Center and seeing his openness in discussing his serious injury on social media, he has considerably risen in my esteem as a person.

I think that Whiteside has improved greatly as a dancer since he joined ABT. It's amazing what exposure to better dancers can do to incentivize hard work.

4 hours ago, abatt said:

I thought I heard Jaffe say that McKenzie had commissioned Cathy Marston for Summer and Smoke, which is a coproduction with Houston Ballet. Houston will premiere it in March 2023.  

Oh God, another "ballet" without dancing, like Jane Eyre. All I remember from Jane Eyre is Thomas Foster's leg extending quickly to impede someone's progress.

I haven't received my subscription packet in the mail, but I was able to renew by phone. The number for the box office is 212-362-6000.

13 minutes ago, Fleurfairy said:

I find Ratmansky's choreography frenetic in general. It always seems like too many steps are crammed into too little space physically and in the music.

ITA.

1 hour ago, NinaFan said:

If true, I am very sorry to hear that Shayer is leaving ABT and becoming a guest artist.  He is still listed as a soloist dancer on ABT’s website so I guess we’ll have to wait until ABT updates their website or Shayer makes some kind of clear announcement.  

I don’t agree that calling himself principal guest artist makes it sound as though he is a principal dancer at ABT.  He is saying principal guest artist, not principal dancer. 

As far as I know, guest artists are either called guest artists or principal guest artists.  I’ve never heard of a guest soloist.  The label should be independent of a title previously held at the company. 

TBH, I'm not sorry to see Shayer go. There has been a great deal of support for him on BA, but when I saw him dance Mercutio in the Summer I found his dancing extremely sloppy. I thought that he was hired originally because he had a huge jump, but I didn't see that anymore. I'd like to see him find a company where he is valued, but IMHO, ABT isn't it.

1 hour ago, Buddy said:

OK.

This is the first that I’ve ever heard of or seen her, but —

Wow !

Elisabeth Beyer

ABT Studio Company  [Correction: She is now an ABT (main company) Apprentice according to the previous post by balletlover08 -- Congratulations ! ]

I'm not sure where else to post this, but here might work and in fact be rather prophetic.

 

WOW, Buddy!!!! Thanks for posting! I couldn't take my eyes off her.

I'm excited to see that Shevchenko is cast for opening night! Also Trenary as Titania.

Also glad to see Zimmi Coker and other upcoming corps members getting noticeable casting.

Can hardly wait until tickets go on sale. Helping me accept the coming of the end of summer.