NYCB Swan Lake 9/27Devil worship

Tiler Peck’s Odile leaned an arabesque into the chest of the young Chase Finlay’s Siegfried as if asking him if he wanted some – ahem – candy. “Yes!” he cried helplessly. She then straightened up with a sneer and shortly thereafter chugged her arabesque backwards with balances long enough for her to hiss, “I’ll get you, my pretty, and your little dog, too.”  She hissed. She spat. She glared. She wielded her wings like they were crackling bolts of lightning. She lured in Siegfried with a fast combination of  double pirouette and double attitude en dehors turns and shortly thereafter threw him 32 counts of dazzling fouettes; her first 16 counts of doubles were so fast that she appeared possessed while her head spun on her shoulders. This debut was a New York-sized Odile – something that is in high demand but short supply. We have plenty of highly visible fakers selling their fake Odiles like the sidewalk vendors selling fake designer handbags. But when something this authentic comes along, it’s time for everyone to stop, take notice, and express admiration.

Tiler’s Odette, while not as convincing theatrically as her Odile, was performed with pristine clarity and softness. She was openly sad without being overly angsty. Vulnerability, which wasn't evident in this Odette, may be a next-to-impossible trait for Tiler to project given her absolute lack of vulnerability as a dancer. NYCB's fast tempi in this production of Swan Lake simply won't accommodate much legato from any dancer, and when Tiler attempted to insert some, it looked rather forced and Broadway-ish. She also had a lot of special sauce in her hands and wrists that was distracting along with a tendency to over-palm the hands – an unfortunate trait of many NYCB dancers. When descending to supported penche arabesques, she looked like she might even rest her palm on the floor. But overall, her Odette was as distinctly different from her Odile as Haglund has ever seen — in character, in style, in musicality.

Chase Finlay’s first Siegfried wasn’t bad. It was even good for a first shot at the role. We’re going to cut him some slack for not going-for-broke in his dancing as he did a few years back. He’s had a lot of injuries, and it currently makes sense for him to calculate his jumps with a lower risk element. But – he’s kind of been losing fifth position where it could score big points for him. We’ve been noticing this in a number of other men in the company. Where are the fifth positions disappearing to? The ladies seem to be able to keep their fifths in tip-top shape. 

Getting back to Chase’s Siegfried – he was thoughtful, serious, clearly a mama’s boy, and hopelessly without a direction in life until he spotted Odette. His reactions to both Odette and Odile were perhaps by-the-book but nevertheless were expressive. His character's naivety was totally believable. His partnering of Tiler seemed fairly free of error but for a messed up pirouette in Act IV. His own variations, while conservative, were quite pleasing to watch. So we're bagging it and taking it home.

Joseph Gordon danced the role of Benno with extraordinary power and grace. We loved how he was ever so slightly in front of the music, pulling it with him. However, the acting wasn’t anywhere close to what it should be. Even when standing on the side, Benno appeared not to know what to do with his hands or focus or truly contribute to the side action.

The evening included a tremendous Russian Dance from Abi Stafford and Zachary Catazaro. We just never see Abi in roles like this, not to mention in a midriff-baring costume, and she was fabulous as she forcefully threw her extensions around with a take-charge attitude.

Ashley Hod among the gorgeous Six Princesses was distinctive in her length of line, speed at getting to a position, and beautiful musicality. Jeezle Pete, did she ever light up the stage in her little solo. 

The happiest surprise of the night, however, was Lauren King in the Pas de Quatre opposite Anthony Huxley. What a striking impression she made with her beautiful accelerating chaine turns and her glistening footwork. It’s no small job to steal the viewer’s eye away from Ashly Isaacs and Indiana Woodward in allegro, but Lauren’s radiance and her calm grace in executing the steps were potent enough to do just that. 

Our H.H. Pump Bump Award is bestowed upon Tiler Peck for her strap-spanking Odile that blew our feathers off.

 

Comments

[yukionna]

I saw Tiler's Odette/Odile today. Her Odile is so deliciously evil! Of the NYCB swans, she was the only one that moved me in the finally when Odette turns back into a Swan.

This is my first season seeing Peter Martin's Swan Lake. I wasn't planning on ever revisiting it, but after seeing Tiler's performance, I just might.

Anthony Huxley substituted for Joseph Gordon in the Act III Pd4. I'm glad to see he's back from his injury last Spring. I can't wait to see him in Square Dance next week.

[Haglund]

Hi, yukionna.

Tiler made such a good start. Hopefully, she will seek out Swan Lake guesting opportunities that will allow her to grow in the roles. Ditto for Megan.

[Gerry]

Agreed Haglund. They need a few more performances to develop both Odette and Odile, although after seeing both women, I think Ms. Fairchild has the stronger handle on the complete role.

Incidentally, any word from anyone who was in the audience for Sarah Lane's Swan Lake with the Kremlin Ballet? Hopefully, we see her cast on ABT's Asia tour.

[B]

I, too, saw Tiler in her Odette/Odile debut on 9/27. I really don't know what to say, other than “wow!!” It was a very special evening … and an extremely impressive debut. It's not often that there are seven curtain calls at NYCB. The audience, including me, did not want the performance to end.

I’ve never cared much for NYCB’s version of Swan Lake, but I feel so fortunate that I attended this particular performance. IMHO, Tiler was much better than Sara Mearns the week before. I’ve seen many versions of Swan Lake, by various companies, and Tiler’s debut performance was one of the very best. I’m still thinking of it... almost a week later.