mimsyb

Yes, I also saw the SFB production of the Trilogy and felt it held it's own quite well. We'll see how it all comes together for ABT come Spring. And if the new Ratmansky threesome is "new ballet"," Seven Sonatas" and "Firebird" last on the bill, I can get home early on that night! I sort of struck out with "Firebird" last time around.

"Company B" has always been danced to recordings. Never an orchestra. That's part of it's appeal. I'm told Taylor found the records in a "throw out bin" and liked them so much he decided to use them for a ballet. To see Taylor's company perform it is to see a very different work, I think. Even though it was originally done for a ballet company, Taylor dancers bring an all together different energy to the piece. ABT does quite well with it, mind you. I guess we all have our favorites.

I also saw both the Thursday and Friday performances. While the dancers were splendid in the Tharp, this seems at times to be a ballet with a lot going on and a ballet with nothing going on. It could be personal, but for an ensemble work I prefer Tharp's Bach Partita, but that has been recently done so perhaps it's why the Brahms got the nod. The costumes don't always flatter the men. Monotones was splendid. So glad it's being done finally. Stella and Isabella both had an early bobble in arabesque, but recovered in fine fashion. Veronika was gorgeous in II. All the men very fine. Green Table holds up amazingly well, especially in today's world. Gomes was terrifying! Lane and Cornejo both in top form. Green Table on Friday had Zhurbin as Death and I found him equally fine in the role. The surprise here was Skylar Brandt as the young woman. Moving beyond words. ABT does this ballet so well. I'm never sure if I'm going to want to see it again and then I do see it and am forever grateful. The Mark Morris on Friday was great fun. Everyone looks so at ease in this clever and energetic work. Wonderful costumes/music, etc. Morris at his congenial best. Spectre just looked dated to me, despite both Cornejo and Lane doing what is asked of them. On the other hand, the Valse Fantasie (Balanchine 1969) looked as fresh as a daisy. While danced perhaps at a tad slower tempo than seen recently at last year's SAB Workshop, it still never fails to astonish. Hee Seo looked ravishing. Whiteside pure ease. This is Balanchine in his choreographic groove. Please let's see this again!! (I would love to see both Trenary and Brandt dance this one!) All in all though, both nights were quite joyous.

Well, I love the "Trilogy" and am happy they are doing all three sections in one evening. As for other evenings devoted solely to Ratmansky, I'm not so sure. Oddly, I don't feel the same way about an all Balanchine evening. His works fully engage me, while Ratmasky can blow hot and cold. Let's just be grateful we're not getting "The Tempest"!

I could go for a few Nunez appearances.

WHOA! No pointe work = "not a ballet"? What about "Rodeo"? ""Interplay" "Glass Pieces" I could go on.

I agree. I too would not trade my years as a dancer (and now also a teacher) for anything. Dancing can prepare one for any number of things in life. The discipline, hard work, accountability and yes, even the disappointments can be so valuable to someone moving on to something else in life. A dancer's life can be hard and heart breaking, but also so wonderful. It may define us for a portion of time, but it should never put a noose around our necks and prevent us from becoming whatever and whomever we wish to be. For many, leaving can be a liberating move. I always thought that being a dancer was just another tool in my toolbox that I could draw on as my life progressed. And because we live so long now, having three or four separate careers is not unheard of!

yes, truly bummed out.

What a wonderful presence on stage. And a wonderful teacher. His classes were both challenging and inspiring. Such sad news.

Well, it would be a mistake to say that Stella doesn't have that many years left. After all this is a thread about a woman who's 52 dancing a role more suited to a teenager. Both Ulanova and Fontyn danced into their late years. I think it's grand that Ferri is dancing again. AND with Herman! What could be better?

Didn't Lovette recently have foot surgery? May be why she's not dancing.

Has anyone seen Misty in "On The Town" yet? Gia Kourlas in the Times wondered if her "home wasn't on Broadway". Any Ballet Alert reviews?

Why would she? She was supposed to have retired with a "Sleeping Beauty". The schedule was set. The fact that SHE decided not to perform in "Beauty" and dance something else probably meant that ABT had to do some very quick juggling. I find it remarkable that ABT was able to give her a slot and in a ballet she preferred. OK, so it was a matinee, but I think they did the best they could, given the circumstances. I can't speak to any thing else regarding her retirement, but her final bow was lovely and well earned. If she was unhappy about the circumstances it certainly didn't show.

I can see Misty dancing Gulnare, but not Medora. But, you're probably right; she will get the lead. Actually, Skylar Brandt would also make a great Gulnare.

Oh yes, The Ballet Shop and Tobias were such a huge part of my early ballet days in NY also. I too have so many books, articles, etc. bought from his shop. Always a deep pleasure to be there and peruse the shelves. RIP.

I'm pretty sure it was mentioned either up thread or elsewhere that Nicole went to Washington Ballet. Don't know in what capacity. She will surely be missed!

I also love Moreno. Have worked with her on a few occasions and she is just splendid! So not sorry to see her honored. It's just that choreographers get so little notice and honor, and Donald is just so worthy.

No. Such a disappointment. There had been a push to have Donald McKayle chosen as an honoree, but I guess there weren't enough votes for that. Donald is getting older now and may not have the opportunity again. So sad. He is so deserving of this and it would have been a wonderful thing to perhaps see "Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder" performed. Alas.

It's the only thing nominated in this category. I guess it's a "shoe in".

So great an artist. I danced in "Aida" at the San Francisco Opera Ballet when Leontyne Price made her debut in the role. Vickers was her Ramses. I thought I'd heard the singing of the Gods! RIP, Mr. Vickers.

Boal's wife, Kelly Cass, also danced in it at NYCB.

Thanks for that info. I agree that Isabella would be fantastic in this. Also, as I mentioned up thread, Skylar. And I'm also happy whenever Balanchine is performed at ABT.

Having just seen "Valse Fantasie" at the SAB Workshop in the Spring, I can't imagine anyone at ABT being able to dance this work at the speed and clarity witnessed at the Workshop. Possibly, Skylar Brandt. Who will be staging it? Suki Schorer did it for the Workshop. Hopefully, she will repeat her magic for ABT. On the other issue of "Spectre", I don't get that. So many other ballets to choose from. Still, as a vehicle for Simkin or Cornejo it's OK. But just OK. But am happy about "Monotones I&II. Would love to see Stella in this. "Company B" is being danced on quite a few programs. I happen to be in the "prefer Taylor's version" corner, but it is a vehicle for Misty. But Luciana Paris would also be fine in the 'rum and coca cola' section. Some oddities, for sure for this Fall Season.

Yes. And that may be her genius and strength. That both of these "ballets" can be danced by ballet companies as well as her own company.

Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" was first presented at the concert at Aeolian Hall in 1924. Was it pop, jazz, classical? I think today it would be considered classical, although at the time it was most likely considered to be a jazz score. It's probably both, actually. Whatever, both Gershwin and Bernstein wrote music that was highly danceable. What choreographer wouldn't be drawn to either composer?