It's a Field of Dreams moment on the blog this morning

The Royal Ballet is coming to the U.S. in July of 2019. So far we know that the company will be at the L.A. Music Center from July 5-7 with – trumpets, puleeezze! – MAYERLING! Hopefully they'll send MacMillan's masterpiece eastward, too. After all, L.A. isn't the only big city in this country that can't get enough drugs, guns and illicit sex.

Mayerling. If we wish for it, it will come...

[Ray. People will come, Ray. They'll come to Iowa L.A. for reasons they can't even fathom. They'll turn up your driveway not knowing for sure why they're doing it. They'll arrive at your the L.A. Music Center's door as innocent as children, longing for the past. "Of course, we won't mind if you look around", you'll say. "It's only $20 $200 per person". They'll pass over the money without even thinking about it, for it is money they have and peace they lack. And they'll walk out to the bleachers into the theater; sit in shirtsleeves on a perfect July afternoon. They'll find they have reserved seats somewhere along one of the baselines in the orchestra level, where they sat when they were children and cheered their heroes. And they'll watch the game Mayerling and it'll be as if they dipped themselves in magic waters. The memories will be so thick they'll have to brush them away from their faces.]

[The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball ballet. American Ballet Theatre has been rolled over by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball the Royal Ballet has marked the time. This field company, this game ballet; it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good, and that could be again. Oh…people will come, Ray. People will most definitely come.]

 

Comments

[KCTR]

I just flew to London for Osipova's Manon, I'll definitely fly to LA for Mayerling!

[Haglund]

Mayerling is an expensive production to tour. I can't imagine that the RB would bring it to the U.S. for just three performances in L.A. Perhaps NY or Wash DC will see it as well. Fingers crossed.

[Shawn]

Will be there whether it's in LA or closer to home. Maybe any of their principals are up for the part, but it's hard to imagine anyone topping Edward Watson's sheer depravity.

[Shawn]

RB's site shows that in addition to Watson, McRae, Soares, Hirano, and Bonelli are performing Rudolf on their home stage.

[Haglund]

For years/decades I dreamed about suddenly coming face to face with Irek Mukhamedov (the legendary Rudolf) and locking gazes. Well, lo and behold, last week at the YAGP Final in the aisle of the Koch Theater, it finally happened. But oh my goodness, while the eyes were the same, nothing else was. Still and all, a very charismatic man. 🤤

[Elizabeth]

It looks like the Royal Ballet will be in LA during the summer of 2019 and performing a new Wayne McGregor work according to this: https://www.dancing-times.co.uk/royal-ballet-2018-2019-season/ I will definitely ygo to see it but I would LOVE to see Mayerling or any other MacMillan ballet.

[Leo from LA]

The last time RB was here LA was about 15 years ago at OCPAC (Orange County) with Giselle. I can't wait! Cuthbertson, Lamb, Nuñez, & Osipova seem like Marvel superheroes I only get to see on movie and TV screens. I'm grateful they are condescending to visit the Dorthy Chandler Pavilion (I can see the theater from my office window) here in the southern California desert (climate & cultural).

[Haglund]

Hi, Leo.

Get a Mayerling ticket close to the stage and be sure to fasten your seat belt.

[Leo from LA]

Thanks, H!
I appreciate this page. Principal casting was announced today for ABT's La Bayadère here at Dorothy Chandler in July. Reading the these reviews made Shevchenko/Teuscher the clear choice. Thanks again!

[Haglund]

Most definitely see the Teuscher/Shevchenko cast.