angelica

IIRC, and I may not, I thought the issue was that ABT took away Veronika's "contract," i.e., there are only a certain number of "contracts" available for each level of the hierarchy. My understanding is that when someone sponsors a dancer, the money doesn't go toward that dancer's salary, but into a large general pool that supports the company in various ways. The bonus for the sponsor is the fiction that they are supporting a specific dancer; but they do get to know that dancer personally.

And yet, McK had no problem getting rid of Reyes, Kent, and Herrera in one swell swoop. I know there are different financial considerations at NYCB and ABT, but NYCB manages to keep a larger roster of principals. it all comes down to money for the contracts. And Part too.

Plus, I don't think there is any comparison between Bell and Shayer. Bell promises to become a principal dancer and to dance the entire repertoire of leading male roles; whereas Shayer, as someone said above, is likely to remain a demi-charactere dancer. I doubt he will ever become a principal. And lord knows, the company desperately needs principal men.

I thought Shevchenko was divine last night, and your description of her is right on the mark. I'm definitely going to see her Swan Lake, and any other performances of hers I can get my hands on, like Saturday night

Thank you, bingham.

Shklyarov was the very fine Albrecht to Abrera's sublime Giselle at ABT's 75th Anniversary reunion/performance. And since I studied Russian in college, I can even pronounce it (it's quite phonetic, actually). However, I don't know who his wife is. Anybody?

I apologize in advance for my very negative reaction, which is that if I never see this theater piece again, it will have already been one too many times. But I have always been a confirmed balletomane, with a taste for Twyla Tharp and a few outliers, and can't wait for the rest of the season. On the positive side, my son and his family, who drove all the way down from New Hampshire to see it, loved it a lot. I loved the book. I just wanted to see classical dancing. But--I was prepared, and happy to give my offspring an enjoyable afternoon.

This isn't in the ballet Romeo and Juliet. It is likely in the suite of dances in Sleeping Beauty at the wedding , including RR Hood, Hop O' My Thumb, etc.

Another worst: The Tempest

I would definitely buy a ticket for that, and tell all my friends to do the same.

Perhaps, against all odds, she is learning the role of Jane? Either as an understudy, or sometime down the road?

I was going to weigh in similarly, nysusan, but you saved me the trouble, as I agree with everything you wrote, down to the final exclamation points.

Thank you, Imspear. I've never heard of him. Was he associated with a ballet company during a stage career, or has he made alignment the focus of his coaching?

Who is the coach?

It seemed to me that Unity Phelan, who danced Diamond last night, was even thinner than Ashley Larceny. Did anyone else notice that?

Thank you, nanushka.

Oh, laurel, thanks so much for posting that gorgeous clip! But isn't that the Lilac Fairy music? Is it that Ratmansky so shortened the role of the Lilac Fairy that he was able to use that music for Aurora?

Stanley is currently my favorite dancer on the male roster. From the first time I saw him, I couldn't take my eyes off him.

Thanks so much, Leah!

Thank you, cobweb. I assumed it would be yesterday, so I've wasted a lot of time looking for it!

Does anyone know when casting will be online for Week 2 of the Winter season?

Oh, please don't retire Maria just yet. She is my favorite dancer at NYCB, and I'm not ready to let those gorgeous legs and extensions out of my life just yet. Her turns seemed fine this season. And she leapt up onto Tyler Angle's shoulders in the blink of an eye--it was amazing to watch.

Love it.