UIEX – observations 10-5

This whole idea of a Sarah Lane/Daniil Simkin Giselle has staggering potential – IF Simkin will portray Albrecht as an immature, self-absorbed cad who recklessly toys with Giselle's heart. It's been quite a while since we've seen a dancer take Albrecht to a point where he risks the audience not liking the character. Baryshnikov was willing to go there. Sometimes Stiefel would get very close. But for the most part, men who dance Albrecht are unwilling to risk the love of the audience in order to propel the drama of Giselle's heartbreak and death to its highest possible point and to make the reconciliation and sad resolution more meaningful. Come on, Simkin, take the risk...

––––––––––––––––––––

Don't plan on missing the final NYCB performance of the season when Ashley Bouder closes it out as Liberty Bell in Stars and Stripes on October 9th  16th (thanks, Dave). Her engines will be revving. The review of last night's performance, which was very good, will be somewhat delayed while Haglund addresses academic obligations and tries to keep up with his over-subscribed life that includes tonight's NY Phil performance of Beethoven's 5th. Are there any other old folks out there who can still remember when there was a definite dearth of dance in NYC during the fall? Who can keep up with it now? By the way, we're still waiting for an NYCB offer to pop up as an AARP Deal of the Day. We're very serious about the need for this outreach.

––––––––––––––––––––

Much of yesterday's World Ballet Day Live transmission is up on YouTube. Just put World Ballet Live 2016 in the YT search bar and up pop lots of goodies including a session with Suzanne Farrell working on Gounod Symphony with her company.

 

Comments

[Cassie]

Hi haglubd
I know everyone raves about Ashley's liberty bell but oh Megan ! She was simply mesmerizing as well!!! I couldn't take my eyes off of her. That was the best time I've had at the ballet since the nutcracker last year!!

[Haglund]

ITA. Like Tess, Megan's dancing has climbed to a new peak this season. Watching last night, all I could think of is how this company has an embarrassment of riches. It is astonishing how much talent is on the stage at any one time.

[Gerry]

Agree with both of you. Megan Fairchild is truly in the prime of her dancing right now. She's been nothing short of fantastic in everything thrown at her the past couple seasons. I also think she benefited greatly from Ashley's absence, so we'll see how casting goes in the future.

[Dave]

The NYCB website has Megan down for the October 9 S&S and Ashley for October 6 and 16.

[Haglund]

Thanks, Dave – All good opportunities to see NYCB rip S&S.

[melponeme_k]

I've been on the fence about Simkin. Last year he looked miserable in the Tharp piece. The only time he smiled was when Lane grabbed his hand and gave him encouragement. But I loved him in the Green Table. He is a very good actor. So the possible Lane/Simkin Giselle has me very intrigued. Lets hope Lane is given a MET performance and not just hidden away in Oman.