ABT – Kajiya & Hammoudi 12/22

After last night's luminous, gracious, and heartwarming performance by Yuriko Kajiya and Alexandre Hammoudi in the principal roles in The Nutcracker at BAM, Haglund is preparing a new round of email recommendations to his pals in Chicago warning them not to miss Kajiya's debut in Giselle in March. 

Last evening Yuriko's youthfulness played perfectly without being cute, and the musicality that has made everyone fall in love with her was on display in fine form.  In one of many exquisite moments during her variation, she guided the extended leg of her arabesque in a very slow, controlled descent, and closed it softly on pointe as the seamless impetus for unfolding the front leg to developpe.  That description doesn't do justice to what Haglund saw, but it took his breath away.  He'll never again be satisfied to see it done any other way so long as he lives. 

Hammoudi was a handsome Nutcracker Prince and employed an understated humor that endeared him to the audience.  He was clearly smitten with Clara, the Princess.  However, there didn't appear to be much improvement dance-wise from last year. His legs sometimes looked mushy, some of his turns lacked control, and his circle of coupe jetes, which were more relaxed than energized, had modest height and breadth.  But he managed the complex partnering darn well, and for this we all need to be grateful.  His petit allegro was precise and strong without being showy, and for whatever reason, he's an interesting dancer to watch.

Roddy Doble is getting better and better in the Arabian role.  His comedic timing was more acute and his sideways glances and "predicament" clearly registered with the audience.  Those harem pants were pretty low on the hips last night, too. 

Justin Souriau-Levine's Little Mouse was bold and continually taunted those who were chasing him.  Where's a good cat when you need one?

The Snowflakes' ensemble work was sharp as stalactites.  The Bees found a willing audience last night.  It's their black lips.

There were a couple of problems in Act II.  The Recruit and Canteen Keeper (Joseph Gorak & Skylar Brandt) danced smoothly until that very troublesome final pose.  Haglund is still waiting to see a Recruit who manages it successfully.  The Chinese (Daniil Simkin & Skylar Brandt) took a major tumble during the vertical lift & cartwheel spin.  Skylar went around 360 degrees but her feet missed the landing.  Her rotation continued for another 90 degrees and she ended up splat on the floor with Daniil falling over her.  It didn't appear that anyone was injured, but it sure was a scary moment. 

Luciana Paris danced wonderfully as Columbine and one of the Nutcracker's Sisters.

Haglund awards this Christian Louboutin diamond platform Pump Bump Award to Yuriko Kajiya for her glistening performance.  It may be modest, but we at H.H. are trying to save up for a trip to Chicago in March.

Comments

[jose]

We were there last night and enjoyed this version of the Nutz.For once, we were not bored w/ the 1st act.I thought the Snow scene was the highlight of the 1st act. It would even looked better when danced in a bigger stage,imo.
We were impressed w/.Yuriko and Alexandre.esp in the PDD. and the rest of the cast. I can't understand why this production is not a sellout.I guess, people still hesitate to travel to Brooklyn.We drove from northern NJ and it was not bad at all.It took me 45 minutes to get home after the performance and i'm not a fast driver.Parking was easy and cheaper than LC. NJ ballet fans, go and see this production.
Too bad,we did not know you were going. It would have been nice to meet you.Happy Holidays.

[Haglund]

Hi Jose. Happy Holidays to you and your family.

Your commute home to NJ from BAM sounded better than mine back to Manhattan, and you didn't have to take the C-train. That's C as in Clow.

[abtlover]

When I watched Tuesday evening, I believe Joey nailed the final pose.

[Haglund]

That's great to hear. Tonight he and Gemma Bond nailed the Chinese dance like it was the only act playing in town. Could not believe it.

[robin]

jose- agree! i drove from rockland, it took over an hour but was not that bad & absolutely worth the drive. i have so many rockland/bergen dance friends who won't go because it's in brooklyn- such a shame! it's such an amazingly beautiful production :)