A few minutes after ABT announced via the Segerstrom Center's Facebook page and BroadwayWorld.com that it was handing over a plum premiere performance of its new Firebird to a freakin' guest artist, the East Coast delivered a 5.8 earthquake. Enough said.
Congratulations to Misty Copeland and Isabella Boylston for getting some well-deserved recognition in being designated as also-leads in Ratmansky's new production which will premiere in March 2012 in Costa Mesa, CA. Regardless of the obvious pressure that will be placed upon them, it is hoped that neither of these wonderful dancers will feel the need to adopt any of the tasteless Osipovisms that the uninformed media goes goo-goo-gaa-gaa over.
ABT's Chronic GAS continues. Stay tuned for the announcement about Funani, the pirouetting baby hippo and ABT guest artist, coming to a theater near you.
or maybe it was just the reverberation from simultaneous collective outrage that Stella still hasn't gotten her lead roles?? Announcements better be forthcoming!
Posted by: Rachelmarch.blogspot.com | August 23, 2011 at 10:07 PM
Could have been. When ABT comes courtin' for its annual donation this fall, I'm saying fugettaboutit.
Posted by: Haglund | August 23, 2011 at 10:22 PM
Disappointing; though very happy for Copeland and Boylston. It's not surprising considering SCFTA's ongoing obsession with Osipova, which is even more intense than McKenzie's!
It's ironic as the Bolshoi will be in LA with Swan Lake in the summer, which means they probably won't even bring Osipova.
Posted by: K | August 24, 2011 at 01:40 PM
At least the Bolshoi recognizes that Osipova is not appropriate for Swan Lake. My sincere fear is that McKenzie doesn't recognize that.
Posted by: Haglund | August 24, 2011 at 02:16 PM
I have a hunch SCFTA insisted on Osipova for the ABT engagement. Having lived in Southern California until very recently and attended many SCFTA performances, I know first-hand that they have a lot of trouble with ticket sales, and their very disappointing fund-raising has been well-publicized. The huge Russian community in LA turns out for Osipova (as do others).
Swan Lake should do well regardless of the principals, as it has elsewhere.
Posted by: Julie | August 24, 2011 at 06:16 PM
It's possible that the entire Russian community would turn out for ABT performances if they were aware of the names Zhurbin, Schevchenko, Krauchenka, Agoudin, Simkin, Saveliev, Laneva, Riccettonova, Abreravona, and the incomparable Part. Hopefully, the advertising will not look like "ABT and Natalia Osipova" or worse, "Natalia Osipova and some ABT dancers." Although featuring Osipova's picture with the announcement (mouth open, poor attitude position) doesn't suggest that it will be any other way. Hopefully the opening night/press night will go to Misty who hails from San Pedro. And hopefully, she'll get the press preview coverage that she deserves.
Posted by: Haglund | August 24, 2011 at 06:47 PM