Some brief comments on Thursday evening’s Swan Lake with Paloma Herrera, Ethan Stiefel, and David Hallberg. Haglund could not appreciate the match-up of Herrera and Stiefel. The rapport seemed artificial with Stiefel straining in the acting area. Herrera needs a much more vibrant partner to bounce her characters off of and to give her the courage to open up more on stage. The dancing result was mixed. Herrera’s was impeccable, if at times understated. Stiefel was clearly economizing his movement. While there were bright moments in his performance, it was something of a struggle during much of the evening. The effects of compounding injuries? Probably, but also the effect of a part time commitment to ABT and to performing. Roger Clemmons once was asked why he trains so hard 365 days a year. He replied that after a certain age, there are no days off. Hallberg was a satanic, choleric Von Rothbart. He suspended his princely good manners, and maximized the ruthless, evil nature of the character with his hands and face and dancing close to the point of losing control. His blue eyes were seemingly bulging with hate when he first confronted Siegfried, and Stiefel had a bit of a struggle maintaining a straight face. Another fantastic performance from Hallberg. The PdT was danced by Blaine Hoven, Melanie Hamrick, and Hee Seo. This seemed to be a more even and complimentary trio of dancers than some of the other casts. Blaine’s a good partner and had the confidence of both Hamrick and Seo. The Neapolitan faired less well. Arron Scott and Mikhail Ilyin seemed under-rehearsed and under-energized. It’s funny how the smallest things can dent a performance. Haglund was enjoying the corps in Act II until he noticed one tall blonde dancer in the very back house-left who looked as though she had not gone through the ABT JKO school. Her hands were noticeably mal-formed, or should we say, uneducated. They stuck out and diminished the beauty of the line of swans which the other dancers tried so hard to maintain.
Haglund forgot to mention yesterday that Thomas Forster is back in the line-up. His excitement was apparent and most welcomed. Also, last night, Joseph Gorak made quite an impression as one of the Peasants. He has a very open face that radiates warmth and excitement, and he's very alert to everything that is going on around him to the extent that Corella always is. Looking forward to the future. For last night's performance, Haglund awards this little sequined flat Pump Bump: Copyright © 2009
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