observations 11-21

The Aussies are going to love, love, love our Yuriko Kajiya as Aurora in tomorrow's matinee performance of Sleeping Beauty with The Australian Ballet in Sydney. Such a complete, completely glorious, and gloriously honest artist... Click on Nicola Curry's I-gram link to read about her long history with Yuriko that now spans three continents.

 Here's a clip of a recent stage rehearsal. Video by Nicola. 

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Meanwhile back at the dude ranch, it appears that ABT is going to completely ignore Jerome Robbins during his official Centennial Celebration that is being held worldwide. What, they didn't make enough money off of Fancy Free -- that is, when they had a complete cast who could dance it? It might have been interesting to see the 1946 Facsimile that Robbins, Nora Kaye and John Kriza premiered on Broadway to music by Leonard Bernstein. Or perhaps the (1947) Summer Day PdD that he created and danced with Annabelle Lyon could have made a one-time appearance. Really, ABT doesn't have any reason to join in the worldwide Robbins Centennial Celebration, really? Not one kind word? Not one single moment of special recognition?

PERFORMANCES (other than NYCB)

HAMBURG BALLETT

      The Concert, Dances at a Gathering: 17 September 2017

MIAMI CITY BALLET

      Circus Polka, The Cage, In the Night, Other Dances, West Side Story Suite: 12 January 2018

STUTTGART BALLETT

      Dances at a Gathering: 13 January 2018

NEW YORK THEATRE BALLET

      Rondo, Septet, Concertino: 16 March 2018

SAN FRANCISCO BALLET

      The Cage, Fancy Free, Opus 19, Other Dances: 20 March 2018

PITTSBURGH BALLET

      Fancy Free, In the Night, West Side Story Suite: 3 May 2018

THE MUNY

      Jerome Robbins’ Broadway, 11 - 17 June 2018

LES ÉTÉS DE LA DANSE

Tribute to Jerome Robbins featuring companies from around the globe (TBA): 25 June 2018

BOSTON BALLET

      Fancy Free, Glass Pieces, Interplay: 6 Sept 2018

DUTCH NATIONAL BALLET

      Dances at a Gathering: 11 Sept 2018

PACIFIC NORTHWEST BALLET

      Afternoon of a Faun, The Concert, In the Night, Other Dances: 21 Sept 2018

      Dances at a Gathering, Interplay, West Side Story Suite: 28 Sept 2018

PARIS OPERA BALLET

      Afternoon of a Faun, Fancy Free, Glass Pieces: 28 Sept 2018

BAM / FISHMAN SPACE

      Watermill: cast TBA: October 2018

HOUSTON BALLET

      The Concert, Glass Pieces, In the Night: 7 March 2019

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Here's some good news:

Pennsylvania Ballet has a brand new New York Friends of Pennsylvania Ballet patron category that is going to let New Yorkers know early about casting so that we can make travel plans more easily and save money by buying early on Amtrak. New York Friends will have the opportunity to purchase early for Angel Corella's February 9th Art of Coaching event in Manhattan. That will surely be packed. Nobody wants to miss a chance to feel that Angel energy even if he is coaching instead of dancing.

Check out this link to become a New York Friend of Pennsylvania Ballet.

Pennsylvania Ballet just appointed Shelly Power as its new Executive Director. Previously the Academy Director for Houston Ballet and most recently the Artistic Director and CEO of Prix de Lausanne, she will start with PA Ballet in December. 

Comments

[Rose]

ABT is including Other Dances at the Kennedy Center are they not? I recall seeing Lane/Cornejo listed on the casting sheet.

[Iholxs]

Gee, I didn't think they could do an anniversary celebration more poorly than the way they "honored" Tudor a few years ago.

[Haglund]

And then there is the issue of featuring Isabella Boylston and her sloppy, goopy, un-light style in a role made for Makarova's brilliant articulation. Not exactly a compliment to the choreographer.

[Charles A. Hill]

Other Dances alone does not constitute a tribute to Robbins by ABT. I guess that they are too busy propping-up their unofficial new Associate Choreographer Millepied?

[Haglund]

LOL. Millepied has always fashioned himself as the new Robbins.

Also, inserting the unpolished, ungainly, goopy dancing of Isabella Boylston in a role made for the exquisite articulation of Makarova is no compliment.

[Charles A. Hill]

Haglund, thanks for posting that amazing vid by Nicola of Yuriko's Rose Adagio rehearsal. I noted the hearty clapping by the corps. I would be great if another Candid Camera could capture the Fakerina's own Rose Adagio attempt. Maybe she will surprise everyone?

[Haglund]

Nicola has a clip of the last part of the grand pdd with the fishdives with the fakerina and the Aussies' strongest partner. Copeland looks clumsy and ungainly with no speed to her very careful and not wholly successful turns. Her arms and hands are hideous. Even her simple glissades are heavy and amateurish. There is no grace, no lightness in any of her dancing. She has no clue as to what it means to be musical. It makes me sick to my stomach to see her and Boylston held up as some kind of example for kids who are trying to learn about the art of ballet, either in or out of the studio.

[formerdancer]

I hope to god Celebrina's Aurora never sees the light of day at ABT.

Boylston recently posted a clip of her dancing Star and Stripes. Uglier dancing I have never seen. No crispness, no musicality. Balanchine is rolling over.

[Diana]

Now reminiscing about Yuriko's Aurora in Houston last season (or good lord, I guess that was in spring '16) ... aaaahhh. She had some of us in the theater on our feet after her Rose Adagio. :)

[Melponeme_k]

I see shades of Gregory in Kajiya's dancing. What an honor it would be to see her grow into this role in strength and artistry.

[rosa]

Beautiful clip! *dreamy sigh* Hope we will hear reports of Kajiya's performances.

[angelica]

Boylston is following in the steps of the Celebrina by creating her own publicity: coaching (yes, "coaching!") Giselle (but I forget where); endowing a scholarship to the Harid Academy; putting together her own summer spectacular. I think there's money there, and as soon as there's money, all taste goes out the window, at least for some.

[Haglund]

True what you say. In the case of Boylston and Copeland, their (good) taste has been non-existent from Day 1.

[Erica]

For those who like to live dangerously, there is another clip on Nicola's instagram of M.C. and the fish dives. The ticket to possess is Yuriko - hands down.