observations 5/31

As we announced below in observations 5/22, ABT will be putting on a couple of little shows at the Little Island's amphitheater (Pier 55 at W. 15th St.) which has a stage the size of a postage stamp. The performances will be on Saturday, July 3rd at 5pm and 8pm. Six dancers will perform three pas de deux which so far are unnamed. However, the Little Island website features a photo of Christine Schevchenko with Don Q fan in hand. It's hard to imagine how a Don Q PdD could possibly fit on the Little Island stage, but we'll just have to wait and see.

Tickets go on sale tomorrow. According to Little Island, its theater bench seating will accommodate 700 people and they have permission from NYC to seat at full capacity.

Here's how it works: 30% of the tickets will be sold on the Little Island website; 30% will be distributed free to Little Island's Community Partners in Chelsea and the West Village; 40% will be sold on TDF. We won't know the prices until tomorrow.

Note that this will take place on 4th of July weekend when the city is fairly empty -- which might be a good thing -- unless, of course, it rains. There is no rain date posted for the ABT performances or any of the planned events. The FAQs claim that the performances will take place rain or shine. Really. But it also says that Little Island will contact ticketholders if an event has to be cancelled.

Little Island is very cool. Haglund spent another hour there today. The plantings are transitioning from spring to summer at the moment. The place should look sensational for these performances in July.

6/1 4:30 pm Update: This is crazy. They want $65 + $4 service fee for 3 PdD! Anybody who pays that must have money to burn. However, those over 62 can get tickets for $25 + 4. TDF tickets for $25 go on sale at noon tomorrow.

 

Comments

[Diana]

Thank you so much for this heads-up!

"Christine Schevchenko with Don Q fan in hand."

If it's really hot, she can fan her partner. (That sounds a bit like a Trocks spoof.) Or the audience.

[Jeannette]

I’ll echo Diana’s gratitude for this tip, Haglund.

Which reminds me..

Let’s not forget the *free* L.A. Music Center livestream of pdds by ABT stars next Sunday, June 6, at 10:30 pm eastern US time. This will include the DON Q PDD danced by Schevchenko and Ahn. Link to the L.A. stream:

https://www.musiccenter.org/tickets/events-by-the-music-center/american-ballet-theatre/?utm_source=wordfly&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=TMCOffstage4%2F16%2F21&utm_content=version_A

[Haglund]

Thanks much, Jeannette!

It looks like Little Island is a little slow in getting the ticket sales mechanism up and running.

[suef]

A bit of ABT gossip I just heard from someone that works at the MET.....before covid shut things down, the MET was so fed up with the horrendous attitudes of the ABT staff and management, that if the year had gone as planned, ABt was NOT going to be allowed to rent the MET for their summer season in NYC, going forward. Now of course, everything is up in the air, but I specifically heard how miserable the staff treated MET employees and management. (I am not talking about the dancers, but about ABT staff. I for one, am not surprised to hear this. But, who knows what is now going to happen? The MET might not reopen this season at all, due to difficulties in the contract negotiations with the stage hands and orchestra.

[Haglund]

Thanks, suef. But you know, gossip is gossip. It all might be true and it might be conjecture. However, it should be noted that ABT's current executive director arrived directly out of Lincoln Center's executive ranks; so I imagine that she has a good grasp on what it takes to deal with the Met Opera organization -- which may not be particularly easy.

The Met's decision to cut back ABT to five weeks was made a number of years ago. Who would be surprised if they wanted to cut them out completely? Hopefully, we'll see a major upgrade in the next artistic director who will improve ABT's overall classical skill levels which will result in higher audience attendance during the Met season. Higher attendance would certainly improved relations with the Met folks.

When it comes to a new director, we simply cannot stand for more of the same, i.e., Julie Kent, Robert Hill. My fingers are crossed for Bocca, Corella, or Max & Irina to save ABT from itself.

[Jeannette]

Hey, the $65 + service fee tix (and the $25+fee tix for seniors) are bargains compared to the $200+ pods that Los Angelinos had to pay...and New Yorkers have the option of buying SINGLE tix for Little Island. Sitting in pre-formed (households or friends) pods on the grass was mandatory in L.A.