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NYCB at SPAC July 9-13, 2024


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Hello, Everyone! Happy New Year to you all. The Albany Times Union reports: 

https://www.timesunion.com/theater/article/75-new-york-city-ballet-returning-spac-varied-18614906.php

Unfortunately, they are wasting opening night with that On and Off Stage event again instead of presenting an evening of ballet. Such a shame since they are there only for one week. In my opinion, giving opening night up to this format is quite the rip-off. The program is Jewels, excerpts from Swan Lake, Stars and Stripes, and Steadfast Tin Soldier. It also mentions a celebration of Coppelia for its 50th anniversary, but doesn’t clarify that it is excerpts, not the full length ballet. And two evenings of contemporary choreography. 
 

I was hopeful that Coppelia was to be performed in full because the last time it was at SPAC was in 2019, I think(?). It was canceled due to the extreme heat. Well, excerpts should be delightful, too. 

For additional information, please see spac.org. 
 

Edited by KarenAG
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SPAC has just announced the upcoming NYCB summer season. I am somewhat underwhelmed by the programming--I would have like to have the new Ratmansky on the contemporary program, rather than another round of Red Angels or The Times are Racing,  or to see the full Coppelia, not just excerpts. I also still don't like that they are still taking what could be a full performance slot for NYCB On and Off Stage. Tickets are on sale for members February 9 and for the public on February 22. Programming details below:

NYCB On and Off Stage

TUESDAY, JULY 9 | 7:30PM

NYCB principal dancers host a unique “behind the curtain” experience featuring excerpts from the week’s ballets. A compelling evening for newcomers and aficionados alike! After the performance, stay for the dance party in the Hall of Springs!

Jewels

WEDNESDAY, JULY 10 | 7:30PM

THURSDAY, JULY 11 | 2:00PM

Experience George Balanchine’s three-part masterpiece Jewels featuring Fauré’s elegant Emeralds, Stravinsky’s jazz-inflected Rubies, and Tschaikovsky’s symphonic Diamonds.

Contemporary Choreography

THURSDAY, JULY 11 | 7:30PM

SATURDAY, JULY 13 | 7:30PM

A celebration of contemporary choreographers featuring a new work by Amy Hall Garner; Gustave le Gray No. 1, a SPAC debut choreographed by Pam Tanowitz and set to the music of Caroline Shaw; Ulysses Dove’s dynamically charged Red Angels, set to a riveting score for electric violin, and Justin Peck’s The Times are Racing.

Swan Lake & Stars and Stripes

FRIDAY, JULY 12 | 7:30PM

SATURDAY, JULY 13 | 2PM 

Three beloved Balanchine works, Swan Lake, Stars and Stripes, and The Steadfast Tin Soldier return, as well as additional scenes from Coppélia celebrating its 50th anniversary.

 

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I hope this means the full Coppélia will be performed in fall for the 50th anniversary? So strange it hasn't been performed since 2018. They had already altered the caricaturish dolls in Act II so that can't be the reason. 

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1 hour ago, matilda said:

I hope this means the full Coppélia will be performed in fall for the 50th anniversary? So strange it hasn't been performed since 2018. They had already altered the caricaturish dolls in Act II so that can't be the reason. 

Me too.  Emma V.E. and Mejia as the leads, please. 

I would love to see Jewels again this summer.   

The SPAC engagement conflicts with ABT, but since ABT is doing R&J for the third consecutive year, I'm inclined to potentially make my first trip to SPAC.   The major drawback is I don't do well in  sweltering heat.  

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It's usually not sweltering, but it does happen occasionally--the range is from sweltering to chilly. And even when it's warm, the temperature often drops considerably after the sun goes down.

The cancelled Coppelia matinee was, I think, the only time that's happened in my ~20 years of coming to SPAC. The temperatures were predicted to be over 100 ° that day, which is very unusual here.

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I am thinking about buying some tickets to SPAC, and I have no clue what the seating is like. Is the lawn too far to see/hear much? (and what happens in case of rain-- are those seats just cancelled?) what about the balcony? 

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The stage is very far away. There are screens that show the stage, but it's like watching TV. The balcony is very good, front orchestra is not--feet will be cut off and there is very little slope close to the stage for seeing over the heads in front of you.

If you're planning on several performances and want to save money, you can consider getting a lawn pass ($200), which gives you I think 5 $10 upgrades to amphitheater seating. They are using dynamic pricing for the amphitheater seats, so they can be quite expensive.

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Swan Lake and Stars & Stripes program casting

https://spac.org/events/new-york-city-ballet-swan-lake-and-stars-stripes/

1 minute ago, abatt said:

Based on the casting, it appears that Baily Jones will dance Coppelia.  She is a bit boring.  The secondar casting looks  more interesting. 

 

Very surprised about that. I think she is a dancer management sees a lot of potential in, but honestly, I don’t see that “special quality.”

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2 minutes ago, abatt said:

Based on the casting, it appears that Baily Jones will dance Coppelia.  She is a bit boring.  The secondar casting looks  more interesting. 

 

Huh? I'm only seeing her listed for Waltz... not really a major role

COPPÉLIA: WALTZ: Jones; DAWN: *M.T. MacKinnon; PRAYER: *M. Miller; SPINNER: *O. MacKinnon 

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Emma VE is already doing Rubies that week, so I think that's why Jones got the SPAC assignment.  I would be surprised if Emma doesn't get the role during the Fall season.  She is perfect for it.

Oh.  Thanks. I misinterpreted the listing.  You are right.  Nobody is listed for the role of Coppelia.  Sorry.

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Posted (edited)

I have a question, I have not seen “Gustave Le Grey no 1” in person. I did watch a live stream of this piece, danced by the SPAC cast a week and a half ago in honor of Pam Tanowitz at Jacobs Pillow. She was receiving an award. I am wondering if there’s some thing lost in translation by not seeing it live? No doubt Tanowitz is a talented choreographer, I just don’t “feel” this piece. Anyone else have similar thoughts? Do I need to see it live in order to understand and appreciate it?

 

Edited by Fernie M
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There is also casting for the lecture demonstration on July 9.

Hosted by Unity Phelan and Adrian Danchig-Waring, and Featuring Excerpts From 

UNDERNEATH, THERE IS LIGHT: Scheffel, E. Von Enck, Bolden, Chan [Solo Violin: Danielson] 

SWAN LAKE PAS DE DEUX: LaFreniere, Veyette 

DIAMONDS: Nadon, Gordon 

EMERALDS: Adams, Gabriel, Maxwell 

RUBIES: E. Von Enck, Huxley, Kikta [Solo Piano: Gosling] 

GUSTAVE LE GRAY NO.1: Nadon, Corti, Lister, Kikta [Solo Piano: Gosling] 

THE TIMES ARE RACING: Maxwell, Segin, M.T. MacKinnon, Abreu 

STARS AND STRIPES: Nadon, Mejia, Macgill, Kikta, Takahashi 

https://spac.org/events/nycb-on-and-off-stage/

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Thanks for posting the casting.

Since the season has been cut down so much in recent years, there have rarely been different casts. If they were doing a full-length ballet, maybe, but this is typically nowadays.

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