abatt

Oh, I didn't realize it went past X-Mas. Thanks.

Interesting debuts. I'm surprised Miriam Miller is only now debuting Sugarplum. Emma gets her debut Dewdrop in the final show.

I did not realize that Hod and Veyette had tied the knot. It was mentioned in the subject video that she will be dancing Sugarplum with her husband Andy.

Me too. I wish ABT would bring their Nutcracker back to NYC. I would rather see that instead of R&J for the 3rd consecutive season.

It's a good thing that Lane's husband, Luis Ribagorda, continues in the corps at ABT. Steady income and health insurance.

Loved this. Thanks for sharing. I got the impression that Emma V E may be debuting Dewdrop before this Nut season is over. There was a moment where J. Stafford said early in the program that its a bit of casting which has not yet been made public.

They cancelled the Pam Tanowitz ballet (Gustav...) the day I attended, due to Covid, so I never saw Hutchinson in it. In fact, I think most of the performances of Gustav... were cancelled due to Covid. The ballet returns in the spring 2024, but I guess all of the roles will be done by NYCB members during the upcoming run.

In relation to the 75th Anniversary, they are highlighting the impact of NYCB on ballet companies in America. The companies selected each have significant ties historically to NYCB. I doubt this will become a regular thing after this anniversary season.

Hi California. As noted above, the press release states that Bell and Murphy will perform on May 26, Sunday matinee. I remember in the late 90s NYCB invited Isabel Guerin from Paris Opera Ballet to perform Other Dances. I think Woetzel was her partner. Sublime.

Dance Theater of Harlem under Mitchell did have very well trained dancers who had expertise in the Balanchine style. After all, this is the company from which the brilliant Alicia Graf Mack emerged. However, in recent years the company is a shadow of itself, attempting to grow and build on its past glories. I saw the company last year at City Center. They did one Balanchine ballet - Allegro Brilliante (not with Hutchinson in the cast I saw). While the performance was fine, the dancers lacked the speed and attack needed. I would be curious to hear any reports of how the guest Dewdrop Hutchinson does. NO reports at all yet on any Nut performances.

I hope they do. Bell is scheduled for only two lead roles in the ABT spring schedule. He would develop much more by having more opportunities to perform. I hope he jumps ship and goes to NYCB.

Very perplexing. Martins used to invite guest artists, but they were famous stars from major ballet companies. I might have seen the LaFr./Bolden Nut, but I have no interest in seeing an unknown Dew who is not even part of the company. This caught my eye from the above press release, though: The 2024 Spring Season will feature Gillian Murphy and Aran Bell from American Ballet Theatre who will perform Jerome Robbins’ Other Dances. I'm there!

Looking at her bio, Maxwell has not done Dewdrop or SPF.

Skylar Brandt and Taylor Brandt – Echo (echonewyork.com) Scarf company Echo Design has a silk twill scarf featuring Skylar Brandt as Odette in Swan Lake, as photographed by Taylor Brandt. Could make a nice gift for a balletomane.

I bought a tix for Von Enck-Mejia-Peck. At these prices, that is likely to be my only Nut for the season.

Also Davide is debuting as Cavalier in week 3.

Illinoise : Program & Events (armoryonpark.org)

Roman Mejia has not appeared on the casting. My hope is for a Mejia - Emma V.E. Nutcracker. Mearns has not appeared in the casting either.

Jaffe has sent a very loud message to Trenary is giving the debut in SL to Chloe. She apparently does not deem Trenary a viable candidate for this role. I can't say I'm surprised by this, because I feel Trenary is better in more modern, less technically demanding rep. But I am surprised that Trenary did not get a Tatiana (instead of Chloe).

Misty may have wanted to make a return, but may also realize that she just doesn't have the level of stamina or minimal technique anymore because of the years she has spent on other non-ballet projects. Misty interviewed Twyla Tharp for a PBS show this summer, and Twyla asked Misty when she will be returning to the stage. Misty smiled sheepishly and said she was working on it. At this point, maybe the most Misty could handle would be something in character shoes, like a Paul Taylor work or that Twyla ballet where Misty wore character shoes (Beach Boys music, I think). While she knows that her career at ABT has meant a lot to her followers, she must also be well aware of her limitations.

Given the shortened number of weeks of the schedule, and the fact that they are frequently not performing 8 times per week anymore, these dancers have fewer and fewer opportunities for growth and development. Everyone in the company raised a big fuss about how McKenzie was relying too much on outside talent, so now we only see the home team. But the home team doesn't generally sell the number and volume of tickets as the starry guests, so we now see a severely reduced schedule. I know that this may be partly because of the pandemic, but I tend to think it has a lot more to do with principal roster. The home team dancers got what they wanted, but it was a double edged sword. Be careful what you wish for.

Hee is, I believe, the only current ABT principal who previously did Tatiana. I recall her doing it with David Hallberg, and I thought she was terrific.

So it's looking like Brandt will never get a Juliet debut, and Trenary will never get a Swan Lake debut. Also agree that the time for Misty make a return is passing, so they should just take her off the roster. Too many years off the stage already.

Bell would also be a good Lensky. He seems too young and good natured to play Onegin.

Thanks. Chloe is getting some great leads - Tatiana in Onegin and lead in SL. No Misty. No Jake Roxander for any lead role as far as I can see. That's unfortunate.