California Posted September 22, 2021 Share Posted September 22, 2021 7 minutes ago, fondoffouettes said: I really felt for Meghan Fairchild, who has been documenting her struggles coming back from giving birth to twins (after contacting COVID during pregnancy, no less). She really struggled to get her leg up for just about any arabesque and seemed to have drastically reduced flexibility; she's described the physiological reasons for this on her Instagram. The first movement ballerina is such a great role, but it seemed like she was just muscling her way through it. But then when I saw how emotional she was during curtain calls, I felt so happy for her for what she accomplished. I follow Megan on Instagram and she has overcome so much, but she was clearly struggling! She is in Serenade later in the week and should shine. Anyone who gets COVID (I believe hers was pre-vaccine?) has to worry about long-haul effects and she seems to determined to overcome. Link to comment
canbelto Posted September 22, 2021 Share Posted September 22, 2021 I thought the Serenade was terrific . So great to see Sterling Hyltin again as the Waltz Girl. Adrian Danchig-Waring had a nice debut too. Link to comment
aurora Posted September 22, 2021 Share Posted September 22, 2021 57 minutes ago, Balletwannabe said: There any number of things that are ridiculous when it comes to masking... I have children in school so... Let's just say I think the goal when it comes to mask rules is more about *feeling* relatively safe, than actually being safe. But at the same time let's remember with the 100% vaccine rate in the theater, everyone actually is safe. Question: are the "pauses" enough time to use the restroom? And yet the evidence indicates that wearing masks do help keep us safe, even, to a degree, if not everyone is wearing them: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/21/well/live/covid-masks-protect.html?smtyp=cur&smid=fb-nytimes&fbclid=IwAR23D6g2hGb5cqjkdXEaF84LP6Hv_j7RHTbrP12Wug3TPqFK1QZ4QbAdnnU Link to comment
BalanchineFan Posted September 22, 2021 Share Posted September 22, 2021 What a spectacular night! I sat in the second to last row of the 4th Ring, much farther than my usual subscription. It was great to see the choreography from there and the group formations are just beautiful. It was nice to see the new mothers dancing so wonderfully; Sterling is back! I really missed her. With my binoculars I could also pick out one of the new apprentices, Ruby Lister, who was featured in On Pointe in the corps. Lots of dancing for the female corps. No Roman Mejia. Only 19 men's roles in the whole program. I didn't notice Megan Fairchild having any difficulty in Symphony in C and I wasn't close enough to see her emotion in the curtain call. Joseph Gordon rocked it and the crowd went wild. Sarah Mearns seems to have grown in the second movement and simplified her approach, she's letting the movement and music carry her rather than adding drama. Everyone seemed so glad to be there. onstage and off. The State Theater lobby is so open and spacious that having people drinking champagne beforehand didn't seem so problematic to me, particularly since people are all vaccinated. Some got their champagne and took it to the far side of the rings. I've been on airline flights where you could take your mask off to eat, it's necessary on long flights. I think it will be nice when the mezzanine terrace is open to one and all. It was also nice to get out a bit early, without the intermissions. I work early during the week. The Clear app combines your photo and vaccination into one digital document, so you can do it ahead of time and only present one thing in addition to your ticket. IF you're presenting any other vaccination proof you need to show a photo ID as well. The Clear/Excelsior line didn't seem to move so fast to me, but it was worth it, even if my photo is now definitively in the facial recognition world. A word of recommendation, arrive early. Link to comment
Balletwannabe Posted September 22, 2021 Share Posted September 22, 2021 Any idea how I'm supposed to prove my minor daughter's identity..she doesn't have a photo ID. Link to comment
lmspear Posted September 22, 2021 Share Posted September 22, 2021 14 minutes ago, Balletwannabe said: Any idea how I'm supposed to prove my minor daughter's identity..she doesn't have a photo ID. Birth certificate. Link to comment
Marta Posted September 22, 2021 Share Posted September 22, 2021 57 minutes ago, California said: Agree on Gordon! I really noticed him a few years ago when he did Coppelia with Bouder (still as a soloist) and at Vail in 2019. Very glad I got to see him again. Me too about Gordon. I noticed him before the Coppelia with Bouder and then saw that in 2019. He is spectacular! Link to comment
California Posted September 22, 2021 Share Posted September 22, 2021 I assume everybody knows that Serenade was Balanchine's first ballet in the US. There might be a few who do not know that Symphony in C was on the first-ever program for NYCB on October 11, 1948, along with Concerto Barocco and Orpheus. Balanchine actually made S in C for the Paris Opera Ballet the year before, under the name Palais de Cristal. That bit of history helps explain the programming choice. https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803100232629 Link to comment
tutu Posted September 22, 2021 Share Posted September 22, 2021 (edited) 40 minutes ago, Balletwannabe said: Any idea how I'm supposed to prove my minor daughter's identity..she doesn't have a photo ID. Going forward, if you live in the city and she’s over 10, she’s eligible for IDNYC. Edited September 22, 2021 by tutu Typo Link to comment
cobweb Posted September 22, 2021 Share Posted September 22, 2021 It was great to be there. More than Serenade, the jolt that comes from a beautifully-executed Symphony in C was what I really needed. I wish they were doing more of that, and less of Serenade, this season. Joseph Gordon looked great, with more spring in his legs than ever. I was praying there would be no speeches, so my heart sank when Whelan and Stafford came out. Mercifully it was short and sweet. I totally didn't understand the "Waltz of the Flowers" interlude. Did they need extra time for the costume change? Or are they trying to drum up interest for Nutcracker? I could have done without that, especially since it was already getting long to sit with no intermission. The curtain went up 20 minutes late as it was, why add to the time before we can stand up? Link to comment
jeff-sh Posted September 22, 2021 Share Posted September 22, 2021 2 hours ago, California said: Lines to get in were divided with the NY Excelsior pass and Clear moving very fast. NY Excelsior pass is in fast line? NYCB website says otherwise https://www.nycballet.com/your-visit/your-safety Link to comment
cobweb Posted September 22, 2021 Share Posted September 22, 2021 3 minutes ago, jeff-sh said: NY Excelsior pass is in fast line? NYCB website says otherwise https://www.nycballet.com/your-visit/your-safety Clear and Excelsior pass were in one line, vaccine cards were another line. My partner and I were in separate lines (he hadn't signed up for the app yet) and at that point, about 20 minutes before curtain, the vaccine card line was moving a little slower, but the difference wasn't that bad. Link to comment
mille-feuille Posted September 22, 2021 Share Posted September 22, 2021 (edited) I was there for opening night too; it was wonderful to be back. The theater was crackling with excitement. Serenade was beautiful—especially Hyltin. I liked LeCrone much more than I previously had. I was sitting in the rear orchestra and didn't notice the usual glower, which made it much easier to focus on her dancing. Mira Nadon's lush arabesques and port de bras in the corps caught my eye. I also liked the After the Rain pas more than I usually do—I had found it overplayed and felt its merits were wearing thin. This time I pondered the motifs in the choreography, so beautifully embodied by Kowroski and la Cour. I did find the surprise Waltz of the Flowers a bit odd, especially as the orchestra is in the midst of a labor dispute with the company... 😕 Felt a bit weird, although I was able to suspend disbelief (for lack of a better term) and enjoy the beautiful music. Symphony in C was spectacular; my favorite of the night. I didn't notice signs of straining from Megan Fairchild—she seemed in control and confident, although her arabesques were a bit low. I enjoyed her speed, clarity, and joy onstage. I'm sure as the season progresses she'll completely bounce back physically. Joseph Gordon absolutely knocked it out of the park; his pirouettes-to-jump sequence in the first movement was fast, powerful, and thrilling. Sara Mearns and Tyler Angle were gorgeous in the Second Movement. She has toned down the Odette vibes and embodies the music so well. I thought it was refreshing to see Tyler Angle with the bald head, and I'm sure I'll get used to it more as the season continues. Harrison Ball's ballon in the Third Movement made me gasp. He and Indiana Woodward danced with such clarity and joy. Lauren King and Andrew Scordato looked great in the Fourth Movement, radiating sunshine. During the curtain calls, Scordato made a heart with his arms above his head (like this); it was so sweet! Edited September 22, 2021 by mille-feuille Link to comment
cobweb Posted September 22, 2021 Share Posted September 22, 2021 1 minute ago, mille-feuille said: During the curtain calls, Scordato made a heart with his arms above his head (like this); it was so sweet! Thank you for clarifying that goofy motion! I had no idea what Scordato was doing. Link to comment
mille-feuille Posted September 22, 2021 Share Posted September 22, 2021 (edited) 3 hours ago, Balletwannabe said: Question: are the "pauses" enough time to use the restroom? I did not leave the auditorium, but it would need to be a very quick pit stop. The pauses were only a few minutes. 1 hour ago, jeff-sh said: NY Excelsior pass is in fast line? NYCB website says otherwise https://www.nycballet.com/your-visit/your-safety I too thought CLEAR would have its own line, but indeed there was one line for CLEAR and Excelsior. I thought it moved fairly quickly. Edited September 22, 2021 by mille-feuille Link to comment
abatt Posted September 22, 2021 Share Posted September 22, 2021 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/22/arts/dance/new-york-city-ballet-serenade-review.html Here is a review of last night's performance. Some terrific photos. Look at Gordon's position in the air. Link to comment
Helene Posted September 22, 2021 Share Posted September 22, 2021 And look at Fairchild's beautiful, tight feet position Link to comment
canbelto Posted September 22, 2021 Share Posted September 22, 2021 week 3 of casting is up: https://res.cloudinary.com/new-york-city-ballet/image/upload/v1632348538/Documents/Casting/NYCB-Casting_October-5-102021_lobby Link to comment
susanger Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 20 hours ago, cobweb said: It was great to be there. More than Serenade, the jolt that comes from a beautifully-executed Symphony in C was what I really needed. I wish they were doing more of that, and less of Serenade, this season. Joseph Gordon looked great, with more spring in his legs than ever. I was praying there would be no speeches, so my heart sank when Whelan and Stafford came out. Mercifully it was short and sweet. I totally didn't understand the "Waltz of the Flowers" interlude. Did they need extra time for the costume change? Or are they trying to drum up interest for Nutcracker? I could have done without that, especially since it was already getting long to sit with no intermission. The curtain went up 20 minutes late as it was, why add to the time before we can stand up? I thought the orchestra should have played Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September”. After all, it was a memorable 21st night of September. 😘 Do you remember, 21st night of September?Love was changing the mind of pretendersWhile chasing the clouds awayOur hearts were ringingIn the key that our souls were singingAs we danced in the nightRememberHow the stars stole the night away, oh yeah Link to comment
Drew Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 Lovely to read about this emotional evening . . . Link to comment
GB1216 Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 I am attending tonight….can’t wait!!! Link to comment
vipa Posted September 24, 2021 Share Posted September 24, 2021 13 hours ago, susanger said: I thought the orchestra should have played Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September”. After all, it was a memorable 21st night of September. 😘 Do you remember, 21st night of September?Love was changing the mind of pretendersWhile chasing the clouds awayOur hearts were ringingIn the key that our souls were singingAs we danced in the nightRememberHow the stars stole the night away, oh yeah susanger this has to be one of the best ideas ever! Ha, ha everyone would have been dancing in their seats! Link to comment
GB1216 Posted September 24, 2021 Share Posted September 24, 2021 Tonight was a wonderful night at the ballet! Serenade - such a luminous piece. It just had everything. I felt that Sterling stole the show. You couldn’t not be moved by her. LeCrone was quite good as the Dark Angel. Oddly enough, Bouder was good but I think still getting her feet. She wasn’t quite as fast as I’m used to seeing her. Pulcinella - what a happy ballet! Everything about it was cheerful and all of the dancers were shining - most especially Sara Mearns and Tiler Peck. Glass Pieces - Unity Unity Unity. She was fabulous in the second movement which was her debut. I enjoyed the second and third movement the most. First movement was good but the music started to grate on me after awhile. All in all a wonderful night! we were also there right at 6:30 and there was no line for clear/excelsior. So we went right in. Link to comment
Balletwannabe Posted September 24, 2021 Share Posted September 24, 2021 My first time seeing Serenade last night and I was sad that I wouldn't be seeing it again anytime soon. It was such a moving piece. I loved the chemistry between Sterling-Bouder-Lecrone. I'm glad they avoided intermission crowds at the bathrooms to have crowds at the bathrooms after the show, lol. Thanks to whomever politely told the person sitting next to me to stop recording the performance with her brightly lit phone. I was too chicken to say anything. Link to comment
Susu_nyc Posted September 24, 2021 Share Posted September 24, 2021 9 hours ago, GB1216 said: Glass Pieces - Unity Unity Unity. She was fabulous in the second movement which was her debut. I enjoyed the second and third movement the most. First movement was good but the music started to grate on me after awhile. What a wonderful night for Unity Phelan! I have seen Wendy and Maria in the role and her performance was on par. There was a luminosity to her performance that was transcendent. Time for a promotion. Personally was hoping Stafford might announce promotions on opening night, but am hopeful they will come sometime this season. Link to comment
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