A few more details have emerged about ABT's new Sleeping Beauty from the performance program just published by the Segerstrom Center:
Carabosse arrives on the scene via chariot pulled by rats.
And, because we love our most-est, worst-est-est, evilest fairytale characters so much, Carabosse gets invited back for the wedding at the end – and presumably behaves herself, although we can see that varying by cast.
Among the dancing guests at the wedding is Hop-o'-my-Thumb.
About Aurora:
It doesn't seem that Aurora should really have to dance "coquettishly to win the admiration of her suitors," because they've already flipped out over her and see her as the prize. But, okay, we'll go with it for the time being.
The program also reveals that in this production Alexei Ratmansky "customizes the choreography for each dancer." We know what that means: beginner, intermediate, and advanced level Auroras. Hopefully, this year, everyone will be able to get around in attitude in the Rose Adagio without incident.
We're very optimistic about this Sleeping Beauty. Very optimistic, indeed. Even excited.
So I see, this customization is allowing Vishneva to dance Aurora, a role she has not danced in years. Also it will allow Hee Seo to try her hand at this most classically demanding role in the ballerina repertory. Finally the customization will give leeway for Osipova to dance Aurora as unrefined Kitri with questionable classical ballet placement. Now it's making sense.
Posted by: Genna | February 18, 2015 at 07:45 PM
Hi Genna. Yes, customization means mostly to hide one's weaknesses.
It will be interesting to see how much Vishneva incorporates the stylistic demands of this reconstruction. This will be Seo's second try at Aurora and second attempt at completing the Rose Adagio balances without falling off pointe. I expect that Ratmansky will be able to get a more technically respectable performance out of her than McKenzie ever did. With regard to Osipova - oy – she has bailed out of Sleeping Beauty performances at ABT, Mikhailovsky and the Royal Ballet. What we saw of her in it at the Met confirmed the Bolshoi's good taste and good sense not to let her dance it. Casting her and her dirty shoes in it (instead of a deserving ABT dancer) amounts to pandering to the media and to the most ignorant/casual segment of the ballet audience. She's missing all of the communal prep work that ABT is doing on the production right now which means extra time and money will have to be spent to bring her up to speed for her one performance at the Met.
Posted by: Haglund | February 18, 2015 at 08:36 PM
How fun. Customization! That's novel.
I will be there on Sunday Matinee (Hee Seo). Can't wait to see if she pulls off the promenades! In my day, all (well, most of) our ballerinas performed the Rose Adagio beautifully! (McKerrow, Dunham, Jaffe)
Posted by: FrmrDancer | February 20, 2015 at 12:14 AM
All wonderful Auroras, but let us not forget the great one – Cynthia Gregory:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UB0pjYItVUQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8uwPk8qml8 (this becomes more clear as it progresses)
Posted by: Haglund | February 20, 2015 at 07:21 AM
Oh, yes - Gregory! What balances!
Posted by: FrmrDancer | February 20, 2015 at 11:28 AM