Aussies are in for a treat when Yuriko Kajiya arrives to dance The Sleeping Beauty with The Australian Ballet in a couple of weeks. Treasure the moment. She's the real deal -- Old World soul and grace, New World technique. We're not sure of her exact dates because the Aussie Ballet website doesn't seem to have casting posted although it is pushing the ABT Fakerina's dates prominently. What a shame, not to mention a sellout of standards. To our Aussie friends downunder, call Australian Ballet to get Yuriko's Sleeping Beauty dates without delay. We promise that you will end up trying to take her home with you at the end of the performance.
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Quick reminder about the Hearts for Houston Benefit Sunday night. We're very excited about this effort, particularly the Madame Butterfly PdD created for Yuriko and Connor Walsh by Stanton Welch and the new ballet by Ben Stevenson.
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Speaking of Madame Butterfly, Haglund caught the first Preview performance of M.Butterfly at the Cort Theatre a few weeks ago. The new choreography by Ma Cong of Tulsa Ballet is probably the most interesting aspect of this revival of David Henry Hwang's hit from 1988 which now seems so dated. Clive Owen gives a slickly detailed portrayal of Rene Gallimard; Jin Ha's performance as Song Liling depends too much on unfortunate and obvious stereotyping. M.Butterfly was groundbreaking back in the '80s but may not have sufficient universal truths in it to be compelling theater today. But thank goodness it's not another Disney affair.
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