abatt

In recent years Martins seems to be trying to cram as much new work into the schedule as possible, regardless of quality. As Leigh Witchel astutely observed in a review about a year ago, NYCB has become like a sausage factory with respect to pumping out lots of garbage choreography from whoever they can sign up. I also thought it was very interesting that Martins gives many of his sausage producers a time limit for their works for the fall gala. (This explains the proliferation of 10 minute works at these galas.) This is indicative to me that Martins is perhaps more interested in showing off another fashion designer at the gala than the substance of the work being staged. Notably, neither Wheeldon nor Ratmanksy -established world class choreographers - participate in the circus otherwise known as the Fall Fashion Gala. Their new works (premieres) are always presented on separate programs from the Casts-Of-Thousands new works thrown on the stage at the Fashion Galas. But I guess one person's sausage is another person's caviar...

Skylar Brandt is replacing Misty Copeland at the May 24 matinee of Whipped Cream, per the ABT calendar. Wishing I could attend, but alas I have to work. I wonder if Misty will be withdrawing from the WC shows later in the season.

I'm sure there are plenty of audience members who wish for a Martins vacation, as in retirement of Martins as Artistic Director/Ballet Master in Chief of NYCB and removal of his works from the NYCB roster. But that's a conversation for another thread...

There are many casting changes this week, including one just posted today. Mearns is replacing Georgina Paz. in Russian Seasons tonight. (Gina is also replaced tomorrow in New Blood.) I still remember Mearns' blazing abandon in Russian Seasons when I saw her in it a few years ago. This is a performance worth catching. I have other commitments tonight. Otherwise I'd be there in a heartbeat. Also, casting for week 4 is up. Those who wouldn't go near the Here Now Festival with a ten foot pole will be amused to know that Martins came out and made a curtain speech before last night's all Wheeldon performance. He is very proud of the festival, and Wheeldon joined Martins on stage for a vodka toast. Martins wryly stated that they were giving Balanchine "a vacation". No time to comment on the show right now.

I was also struck by her comment that she felt unimportant as a dancer. She does not expand on what she means, but it appears to be an indirect reference to the manner in which McKenzie operated ABT. Personally, I have many terrific memories of her performances with her husband Maxim. that I still cherish. I hope the workshop of the Stroman musical she mentions comes to fruition and gets to the stage. So many of those projects never see the light of day. I'm still waiting for a New York production of Stroman's Little Dancer.

I have only two negative comments regarding these fabulous All Balanchine programs and the incredible performances by stellar dancers. First, Megan LeCrone should not be doing Choleric. She is timid and tentative in this role- the exact opposite of what is needed. The second quibble is my amazement at the continued technical weakness of Chase Finlay. Personally, I can't wait to see someone technically brilliant take over the first movement of Symphony in C, but we may have to wait a few years.

I think Tller Peck's best roles to date have been Allegro Brilliante, Who Cares and the pdd in Act 2 of Midsummer.

A conversation w. Misty Copeland and Sally Fields: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/22/style/misty-copeland-sally-field.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Farts&action=click&contentCollection=arts&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=sectionfront&_r=0

I remember seeing an interview with Amar Ramasar in which he stated that he always loved acting, and it was a very hard choice for him when he had to decide whether to choose SAB and a career in ballet. Louise is both dancing and singing. As noted above, she does the Dream Ballet. I think Jigger is mostly acting.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/20/theater/kelliohara-brigadoon-city-center.html 5 performances at NY City Center in November. Robbie is becoming quite the theater star.

Tuesday night's performance was spectacular. It was one of those evenings where I marveled at how lucky I am to live in NY City and have the ability to attend NYCB regularly. The company has a breathtaking amount of talent on every level. You will probably never see a more enthralling performer in Allegro than Tiler Peck. If you have never seen her do the role, get to the box office and book your ticket for one of her performances. Not even the great Kyra Nichols performed it with the arrow like precision and musicality that Ms. Peck is bringing to the role. Also worth catching is Reichlin's long awaited return to Choleric. It seems that this role is fading in and out of her rep as she moves up the food chain of lead roles. She is explosive and brilliant. There is presently nobody else in the company (including Bouder) who does full justice to the Choleric role. Such a joy to see Maria K. back in Symphony in C. Harrison Ball, who led the 3rd movement, is destined for big things in this company. Ball, along w. J. Gordon, are NYCB's future stars. Bravo to all the fine artists at NYCB.

https://www.nycballet.com/NYCB/media/NYCBMediaLibrary/PDFs/Press/Casting/NYCB_Casting_April-18-23-2017_lobby41717.pdf There are several significant cast changes for this week that were posted today.

I can't find any info re the subscriptions being offered for next season or the prices for next season. I'm only finding last year's (2016-17) subscription booklet on their website. Thank you to Emma for posting those season calendars, above.

Justin Peck will choreograph a revival next season of Carousel on Broadway, starring Jessie Mueller, Joshua Henry & Renee Fleming. Amar Ramasar and Brittany Pollack of NYCB will play Jigger & Louise.

Rojo's balances were also truly spectacular. Didn't realize that she was 42 years young. Also, thanks for the correction on her partner.

Gorak has already done Romeo (2 yrs ago, with Copeland) at ABT. However, they did not cast him in it again the following year.

I attended the YAGP Stars of Today..., as well as the Bocca gala. There were many wonderful moments, but the highlight was the breathtaking performance of Rojo and Corrales in the Don Q pdd at the Bocca gala.

Given the NY Times' new approach to dance coverage, I'm wondering to what extent we will see any reviews of anything at ABT or NYCB this Spring in the Times. Instead of a review, we might get a human interest piece on what brand of coffee Gillian Murphy drinks to start her day. Also, just wanted to add that although the NY Times does pay for its own tickets, the companies advise the reviewers regarding which dates/performances reviewer tickets are being made available. I believe that ABT intentionally makes reviewer tickets available for Copeland's shows in order to increase the publicity for her performances and for ABT. I'd be interested in hearing from a professional reviewer whether ABT offers reviewer tickets to Lane's NY debut as Giselle. If David Hallberg returns for the Murphy Giselle (it's still TBA for the Albrecht role), I have no doubt that ABT will also offer reviewer tickets for Murphy's Giselle debut in NYC.

http://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwdance/article/NYC-Ballet-Announces-2017-18-Season-100th-Anniversary-of-Jerome-Robbins-Justin-Peck-World-Premiere-and-More-20170413 This two page article contains much more info re next season than the NY Times blurb.

I hope that In The Night finally returns to the rep. NYCB has not performed it n quite some time. Also hoping for the return of I'm Old Fashioned, Four Seasons, and Opus 19. Dybuk and Les Noces not so much.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/13/arts/dance/jerome-robbins-tribute-new-york-city-ballet-season-2017-2018.html

week 2 casting here: https://www.nycballet.com/NYCB/media/NYCBMediaLibrary/PDFs/Press/Casting/NYCB_Casting_April-25-30-2017_lobby.pdf

No reviews, but here is a clip of what appears to be Copeland rehearsing the hops on pointe in Act I, from her Instagram.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/10/arts/final-round-of-annenberg-fellowships-announced.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Farts&action=click&contentCollection=arts&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=3&pgtype=sectionfront

Jennie Somogyi is opening up a ballet studio in Easton, PA http://jsballet.co/