Haglund's Heel

NYCB 5/10 Here she is – better late than never!

        Our little pink renegade in the red Azalea Corps de Ballet of Lincoln Center's Damrosch Park has appeared at last. Seemingly always late getting to the stage, she didn't show up this year until it was almost time for bows – like something out of Jerome Robbins' The Concert.

        But oh, isn't she a beauty. Funny how this garden parallels life. Just when we were thinking how we really missed so many of Balanchine's big ballets -- although the season's offerings have been nothing to sniff at -- out trotted this big old beautiful rose-scented Robbins ballet that we hadn't seen in years to bring a little extra enchantment to the garden. Brandenburg hasn't been seen in a decade and a half on NYCB's stage, and oh what a beauty of a ballet it is. It's full of surprises and humor, full of imaginative step combinations, full of ballet comfort & beauty, and exquisitely danced by its cast of twenty. How did this ballet get left out of the Robbins 100 Festival a few years back?

        For his last ballet, Robbins borrowed the best from himself for Brandenburg. At times, it even looked like he was reminiscing about his excursion with Tharp. The intense focus on clean structure seemed almost architecturally engineered. There were so many appealing arrangements of dancers that the ballet could be a poster for the Elements of Composition: pattern, focus, contrast, balance, rhythm, whatever. Even the dated costumes looked charming with their girly sleeves for the women and masculine-like rolled up sleeves & vests for the men. How did this ballet get left out of the Robbins 100 Festival a few years back?

        Indiana Woodward and Anthony Huxley anchored the first of four sections with their charismatic PdD, but it was the Corps de Ballet that stole the spotlight with their joyful dancing. As lines of dancers trafficked through one another in complex formations to the music's 137 beats per minute (it begs to be steppy), some looked a bit unnerved by the combination of speed and complexity of the choreography. Positions went awry once or twice, but it was never at risk of devolving into, say, the opening of Glass Pieces. Dancers' lifted their arms high in V formations during allegro like Paul Taylor's dancers did when they happily skated through the same music in Taylor's Brandenburgs created a decade prior to Robbins' ballet. Just the fact that both Taylor and Robbins were drawn to this same music is confirmation of its danceability, dancesuasiveness, and danceliciousness.

        The incredible centerpiece of this ballet was delivered by Mira Nadon and Aaron Sanz, two dancers whose own imaginations opened more possibilities for this choreography than perhaps Robbins, himself, ever imagined. The PdD was a welcomed reminder that PdDs are not about continual manipulation of the woman's body or 10 minutes where the entwined dancers can't let go of one another. Here we saw the dancers separated physically half of their time, their limbs circling each other's limbs without touching or at times dancing the same steps apart -- no physical connection but oh were they ever communicating.

        Also on the program was a spirited performance of Robbins' Fancy Free led by sailors Roman Mejia, Joseph Gordon, and Andrew Veyette; Passers-by Mary Thomas MacKinnon, Alexa Maxwell, and Malorie Lundgren; and Maxwell Read as the Bartender.

        Balanchine's Agon was the serious soul of the program which opened and closed with Robbins' infectious joy. Unity Phelan, who is just starting to wrap her legs around this lead role, didn't exhibit the expected authority and sharpness during the iconic moment when she spun around before throwing her leg in attitude behind her partner, Adrian Danchig-Waring. Taylor Stanley debuted his Sarabande solo to the difficult Stravinsky horn passage, and Emilie Gerrity gave a crystal clear rendition of the Bransle Gay, if a bit demure.

        Our H.H. Pump Bump Award, Louboutin's Lip Chick patent pump, is bestowed upon Mira Nadon and Aaron Sanz for their extraordinary interpretation in Robbins' Brandenburg.

 

Wheeldon and Pyres at NYCB When the math doesn't work

        Arriving at our blessed $38 seats for our first view of Christopher Wheeldon’s new “abstract” work for New York City Ballet entitled From You Within Me, we were met by a front scrim bearing the stunning atmospheric painting by Kylie Manning. Rich marine blues and greens suggested a water scene, perhaps the ocean or a glen or an inlet surrounded by lush landscape. It was a lovely reminder of ABT’s Swan Lake curtain. Noting that Wheeldon had chosen to use the same Schoenberg music that ABT’s Antony Tudor used for his dramatic Pillar of Fire and had lifted a line for the title from the Dehmel narrative poem which inspired both Schoenberg and Tudor, we began to wonder, “How could Swan Lake-ish scrim + Pillar of Fire music + Dehmel narrative reference = abstract ballet?” 

        Soon the dancers appeared behind the scrim at the side of the stage entangled in a blob of humanity from which individual dancers dramatically reached up and out before sinking back into the blob which was rotating counter-clockwise. As individual dancers withdrew from the blob, we immediately noticed the geometric beauty of the back zippers on their red, very see-through mesh unitards which led directly down to the straight cracks in their exposed buttocks. We wondered, “How could Swan Lake-ish scrim + Pillar of Fire music + Dehmel poetic reference + red baboon butts = abstract ballet?” 

 

        Sara Mearns, arguably NYCB’s most melodramatic ballerina, devoured Wheeldon’s phrases in solos of whipping arms, spinning turns, expressions of torment, and the expansive movement for which she is known and prized, but we wondered, “How could Swan Lake-ish scrim + Pillar of Fire music + Dehmel poetic reference + red baboon butts + melodramatic ballerina = abstract ballet?” 

 

        We’re still wondering.

 

        Wheeldon was unmistakably inspired by the dramatic undercurrent and emotional riptides present in Tudor’s famous work. The stilted pointe poses and the torso angst alone made that argument. He seemed to want to simulate the mental turbulence that Tudor found within Schoenberg’s music without the benefit of a storyline — thus, we had unfocused emotion and dramatic reachings without any indication for what the dancers were reaching. It was a story ballet of mostly blanks that the viewer was supposed to fill in as he wished. Like Flo sings, “That’s not my job.”  A ballet that suggests a storyline but doesn’t deliver is not an abstract ballet; it’s a half-cooked story ballet, that’s all.

 

        So what about the choreography — assuming it was abstract? Not all that interesting, we’re afraid. Wheeldon excels in group movement, but solos and PdD can frequently look generic — like they might show up in any of his other ballets. A PdD exquisitely danced by Peter Walker and Aaron Sanz included the obligatory gymnastics and entanglements of our time, but the movement itself — except for some perfectly wonderful arabesques — wasn’t visually interesting as abstract movement, although we’re sure that it must have been challenging and interesting for the dancers to perform. Unfortunately, whether the dancers love (or hate) dancing the choreography is no measure of how satisfying the audience finds it.  

 

        Alysa Pires’ new choreography, Standard Deviation, never made it outside 68% of the data set of steps that we see in most contemporary choreography - not even one standard deviation. It was beyond boring, teetering on tedious, and made more unwatchable by the dancers’ unattractive unitards that went up to their necks and looked straight out of Discount Dance Supply. Dancers solemnly made various geometric forms with their arms while standing or motoring around in lines and while trying in vain to find some importance in what they were doing. Then, like a Hail Mary Pass thrown by the hopelessly losing quarterback, Pires sent Tiler Peck to center stage to do fouettes. Cringe-worthy is being too kind. 

 

        In sum, we’re glad that these new dances aren’t on the schedule for next season, not even for $38.

 

NYCB Week Two Sometimes patchy but mostly passionate

 
    

        There are some patches in the garden that need to be filled in. The NYC Department of Parks should pay more attention to our iconic azalea garden in Damrosch Park and put up a few classy signs that say “No Dog Pee” and “No Big Apple Circus Pee,” peeleezzee — not that such a message would resonate with the neighbors who routinely run their tiny dogs atop the garden retainer walls and encourage them to seek relief among the azaleas. Attention must be paid. We may have to get Gale Brewer involved.

        Reflecting on recent performances, there were also some rough patches that needed attention in the jardin de ballet. Let’s start with Tuesday’s performance of La Source. The ballet, itself, comes across as being patched together — because it was patched together by Balanchine: first a pas de deux with the later development of the divertissments and corps work. The dancing of the corps de ballet, all apprentices and relatively new corps women, resembled a student workshop performance —  neither charming nor cute to see on NYCB’s main stage. The tutees went from point A ➞ point B ➞ point C with terminal academic dullness as did Bailey Jones who performed in the soloist position. The grownup dancing of Indiana Woodward and Joseph Gordon provided much needed relief (not that ↑ type of relief) with emphasis on purposeful energy, not slam-bam-bang. Indiana's perfume-filled interpretation of Delibes’ music was simply lovely. 

 

        Admittedly in the minority here, we found Namouna, A Grand Divertissement still the jokey grand bore it was five years ago except for the sassy trio of Daniel Ulbricht, Emma Von Enck, and Olivia MacKinnon, and some seductive cigarette smoking by Mira Nadon. The ballet still runs on mania that quickly becomes fatiguing to watch. The whole thing is far too long with a central pas de deux that goes on and on and on while saying very little. The programing of Namouna with student-like dancers in La Source made for an evening where we wished we could switch the channel. 

 

        Square Dance improved over the week but continued to suffer from miscasting. The pairing of Erica Periera with Taylor Stanley is as odd as could be: he, who possesses some of the most interesting artistry on the planet with she, who struggles to emerge from vapid, risk-free albeit technically solid performances. Where Stanley captivated our attention with his inner life and originality, Pereira produced clean, colorless steps of little interest. Meanwhile, corps dancer Claire Von Enck offered some of the best, most vivacious dancing that we’ve seen from her. Alexa Maxwell and Lauren Collett commanded our attention with their sizzling energies as did Victor Abreu and Cainan Weber. 

 

        In addition to Tiler Peck’s delicious debut last week in Raymonda, we were thrilled this week with the performances of Isabella LaFreniere and Chun Wai Chan. LaFreniere dominated the stage with the immense scope of her dancing, authority, and technical perfection. Still relatively new to the trials of dancing Balanchine on the Master’s stage, Chan embraced the challenges of the tempi and superbly partnered LaFreniere. Watching her confidently take flight head first into his arms at the conclusion of Raymonda was one of those “What??!!” moments in the theater.

 

        We witnessed enticing dancing in the performances of Afternoon of a Faun and Haieff Divertimento. Unity Phelan with Joseph Gordon and Dominika Afanasenkov with Christopher Grant in Robbins’ masterful interpretation of Debussy’s seductive score were again illustrative of the current high level of care and careful casting being accorded Robbins’ works. Phelan and Gordon offered a more imaginative approach to their story, whereas Afanasenkov and Grant were more present and literal in their interpretations to the point where the viewer could actually believe that their encounter might really happen in a studio. Afanasenkov has such lovely length and classical shape which she used exquisitely. At one point we saw her reach and rise through Grant’s embrace with a distinctive airiness followed by the simple beauty of her descent to a resting horizontal position. 

 

        Christina Clark continues to captivate our attention and grows in artistry with each appearance on stage. Her Haieff Divertimento performances opposite Alec Knight proved to be fascinating. For a dancer so tall, she certainly has fine control of those extraordinary limbs and can move at the speed of the tinier, compact corps dancers. Hopefully, the fall anniversary season will bring her a big ballerina role or two. Alec Knight has such obvious potential as a major partner because of his physical blessings. Like others, his trajectory was interrupted by injury and COVID. Let’s be careful out there.

 

        Donizetti Variations doesn’t accept complaints. It’s always entertaining and vibrant. Megan Fairchild with Anthony Huxley, Indiana Woodward with Joseph Gordon, and Tiler Peck with the reverse-aging Andrew Veyette all turned out superb virtuosic performances with infectious joy and vibrance. Corps dancers Mary Thomas MacKinnon, Charlie Klesa, and Davide Riccardo were standouts every step of the way. We can’t get enough of this sing-along ballet.

 

        Our H.H. Pump Bump Award, a Louboutin blue leather jolie, is bestowed upon Isabella LaFreniere and Chun Wai Chan for their brilliance and beauty in Raymonda Variations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

observations 4/25

We think we predicted this some years back. If Sara Mearns was going to get a Juliet, it would probably be Ratmansky's. And yes, it will be so.

On June 16th in Toronto, Sara will dance Juliet opposite Guillaume Côté's Romeo which will mark his retirement of the role at the National Ballet of Canada.

Patience wins.

 

NYCB 4/20Well now they're just plain showing off . . .

. . . the azaleas in Damrosch Park, that is.

        It's not that there wasn't some of that going on last night at NYCB, too.

        Terrific debuts, a long anticipated return, and a more successful cohesive effort among corps members marked this third performance of the spring season.

        Isabella LaFreniere's debut in Concerto Barocco was nothing short of stunning. Such surgical precision coupled with daring space-gobbling we rarely have seen in this ballet. Her entrance variation with its off-balance developpes and literal musicality was so bold and fearless that it brought back memories of the courageous dancing of Jennie Somogyi.

        After an absence of several months due to injury, Sara Mearns returned with her own successful debut in Concerto Barocco partnered by Russell Janzen. The choice for her comeback was a bit risky, but this dancer has never been one to shy away from risk either. We look forward to seeing the LaFreniere-Mearns-Janzen trio again on Saturday evening.

        It would seem that when the principal cast of Concerto Barocco is as statuesque as last night's, the corps should also be made up of similar women. However, this corps, on its third try, achieved better uniformity than in the opening two performances.

        We've seen enough of Kammermusik No. 2 to "get it" and appreciate the difficulty of dancing the complex choreography. But really, how compelling would it be without the swinging ponytails? Seven performances of this ballet may be over-kill.

        It was hard to believe that we were, for the very first time, seeing Tiler Peck in Raymonda Variations, a ballet previously painted with the individuality of Violette Verdy and Kyra Nichols. All of a sudden the dancing matched the dreamy, classic beauty of the landscape scenery. A whiff of lilacs, a warm breeze to the face, the freshness of a new perspective -- it was all there. So individual and so lovely. We loved the spontaneity of Tiler's musicality -- it just came out of her like a birdsong. Her pas de deux with Joseph Gordon was sublime and offered a beautiful soft quality in the arabesques and port de bras. Gordon created his own Romantic universe augmented by impressive variations with skimming brise voles and easy, buoyant grand allegro.

        The soloists had mixed success. Olivia MacKinnon's first variation began successfully but then faltered with limping hops on pointe that went nowhere. Baily Jones made no mistakes in the second variation but made no impression either. Christina Clark was gorgeous in the fifth variation and showed incredible control of all that natural length. Mary MacKinnon showed once again that she's a jewel worth polishing and polishing in her debut of the sixth variation. Malorie Lundgren managed the seventh variation competently but without being very interesting. These soloist sections of Raymonda have missed Ashley Hod's and Sara Adams' contributions. They also could have benefited from Emma Von Enck, Alexa Maxwell, Brittany Pollack, and (when are we going to see more of) Naomi Corti.

        Our H.H. Pump Bump Award, flammes de Louboutin, is bestowed upon Isabella LaFreniere for her blistering debut in Concerto Barocco.

 

 

 

 

NYCB opens the spring season with high spirits -- and an occasional sputter

        Not everyone was in full bloom last night at the opening performance of NYCB's spring season, but we balletomanes didn't care. Spring season always starts with peeks at new growth; it doesn't start at the peak.

        We fully enjoyed the cool commonalities in the pairing of Ashley Laracey and Unity Phelan in Concerto Barocco. Showing the beauty of the steps and musicality were their goals, and both dancers delivered with their customary selfless generosity. Ashley's delicate, sweeping limps and Unity's softly curving lines complimented one another. There could have been more of a daring stretch in the two legged slides that rotate to a penche arabesque but that's probably not something we should expect to see in a debut. Tyler Angle's partnering was, of course, perfection.

        The corps de ballet of Barocco is traditionally a cast of very senior corps members. There are reasons for it which became evident last night when several less senior dancers were inserted among the consummate precision of Olivia Boisson, Jacqueline Bologna, and Mimi Staker. Oy, was there some messiness. Their minds were not of one, that's for sure. But there was also a stunning example of pure devotion to exacting efficiency. We're talking about Lauren Collett who is one of the most organized, efficient, clear-speaking, get-it-right-every-time, right-on-the-money-while-always-looking-calm-and-lovely corps women we have observed in quite some time. Ava Sautter was also disciplined and able to keep up with the senior dancers.

        The entire cast seemed initially surprised by the blessedly speedy tempi; but after a few deep breaths, most seemed to catch their strides. Looking forward to tonight's second try.

        Not even Andrew Litton's charming and humorous "See the Music..." segment sold us on Kammermusik No. 2. It's more of a technical exercise than a ballet. However, right away we noticed the difference in Emilie Gerrity's dancing. Gone was the stress. Gone were the anxious expressions that sometimes conveyed that she was torturing herself with self-doubt. She was confident, stylish, bubbly, and at ease with the ridiculously complex musicality. Mira Nadon shone in her solos and bravely plowed through the vexing duet with Emilie where Mira had to dance the same steps but one-eighth note behind Emilie. The women were ably partnered by Harrison Coll and Aaron Sanz. They and the men's corps of eight clearly enjoyed only having to share the spotlight with two women -- albeit two major ballerinas. All the men were well-drilled; Davide Riccardo and Christopher Grant stood out for the purposefulness of their dancing, and well yes, their legs and overall handsomeness.

        Raymonda Variations was a magnificent showcase for the speed and clarity specialties of Megan Fairchild and Anthony Huxley. She, always bright and musical; he, always elegant and humble about his absolute mastery of his craft. We have to grant him the occasional luxury of the moment as in last night's ridiculous balance off of a pirouette where he finished in a still pose with his back to the audience.

        Some of the soloists fared better than others. Emily Kikta astonished with her control of her long limbs in the rond de jambe movements. Claire Von Enck had sturdy hops on pointe, but they didn't travel on the diagonal as they should have. Lauren Collett impressed with her polish, efficiency, and calm beauty. Unfortunately, the duo of Emily Kikta and Nieve Corrigan in the final grand allegro had some fouetté issues. They fell far short of the Emily Kikta/Ashley Hod duo from last September. Nieve wasn't up to the tasks in either Raymonda or Concerto Barocco. Rommie Tomasini's spirited dancing made us look forward to seeing her much more -- the sooner the better.

        Even though Kammermusik No. 2 was our least favorite piece of the evening, the poise-filled performance of Emily Gerrity in it made us extremely happy. The H.H. Pump Bump Award, a cool sandal with an untethered strap, is bestowed upon Emily. Can't wait to see what's in the works for her for the fall season.

 

NYCB 75th Anniversary Season 2023-2024OMG! This is how ya bankrupt the balletomanes. . .

We're literally fainting over the fall season. There are so many different programs that will bring such joy to the faithful and so much opportunity for so many dancers to shine. We may end up penniless, but we'll be happy!

Jewels
Western Symphony
The Unanswered Question
Tarantella
Stars and Stripes
Bouree Fantasque
Agon
Slaughter
Apollo
Sonnambula
Tsch Piano Concerto #2
Concerto Barocco
Prodigal Son
Symphony in C
Serenade
Orpheus
T&V

Winter and spring seasons bring extreme joy, too:

Fancy Free
In the Night
The Four Seasons
Barber Violin Concerto
4Ts
Liebeslieder
Ballo
Halleluja Junction
The Concert
Symphony in Three Movements
Tchai PdD
Stars & Stripes

They're going to be dancing their feet off all year. Finally, such a fabulous sense of programing.

Subscribe here.

 

NYCB 2/26Whew! What a relief! Now we can get some sleep!

        New York City Ballet closed the season with a terrific Sleeping Beauty that was a mere handful of balances short of spectacular. But we'll take it and be thrilled.

        It had been a stressful, head-scratching, hand-wringing 72 hours since Thursday's Sleeping Beauty which turned out to be like the perfect souffle that unexpectedly got knocked flat as it was nervously being pulled out of the oven. Did Chef Ramsey stop by to straighten out the kitchen staff with his charms? Whoever did, we're grateful.

        Our Aurora, Isabella LaFreniere, soared on her second try and delivered a truly beautiful, distinctive, authoritative, intelligent, principal-worthy performance. At her birthday party, Aurora was not a giggly, Tiktoking 16-year-old. Rather she was a teenager, impeccably groomed with royal manners, who was on the brink of being handed the kingdom once she found the right prince.

        Overall, the Rose Adagio was beautifully danced but for the attitude balances which while improved from the debut performance were not yet realized. However, the final arabesque balance was of such formidable shape and steadiness that we almost forgot the seven before it. Aurora's arabesque balance, rather than being static, grew and lengthened with the music. The prior attitude balances, however, were static attempts where the energy line from the foot to the head seemed perforated rather than flowing upward continuously. Though motionless, a balance is still an expansive movement -- an inner flowing of energy that rises and expands right through the top of the head. It's never about holding still although it may look so to the audience.

        Hats off to The Suitors Christopher Grant, Taylor Stanley, Gilbert Bolden and especially Harrison Ball who swiftly escorted Aurora around for the final promenade before she punctuated the phrase with her exclamatory arabesque.

        The Vision Scene was nothing less than triumphant. Aurora's apparition was elegant and soulful, almost whispering warm encouragement to Prince Désiré. Peter Walker as her Désiré fit the bill from head to toe. His partnering was impeccable and his solo dancing was outstanding except for a wild pitch on a double tour to arabesque.

        The Wedding PdD gave Désiré the opportunity to display some of the most tightly zipped-up legs during double tours that we may have ever seen followed by soft landings to clean fifth positions. Aurora's Wedding variation was pure heaven: delicate pointe work, beautiful shaping of the phrases, poise, and polish. The duo's first two fish dives were magnificent in their speed and daring. The third one was a bit more tentative, but oh my goodness, what a difference from 72 hours before!

        Emily Kikta as the Lilac Fairy was gorgeous as well. Sunday's performance just seemed more expansive, more confident, more meaningful in its presentation than Thursday's had been. The spotlight adores this ballerina. It is difficult to pay attention to anyone else when she is on stage. It is our hope that her ongoing stellar contributions will soon be rewarded with a promotion. While it is true that her glorious statuesque frame might limit the number of potential PdD partners, it should not limit her accession to the principal level. After all, the absence of height that indeed has limited potential PdD partners and roles for Daniel Ulbricht did not prevent him from rising to the principal level in a mere six years. There is some distasteful incongruence in a practice of holding back women because they are deemed too tall while advancing men who are deemed too short.

        After the performance, four new principals were announced: Emily Gerrity, Isabella LaFreniere, Mira Nadon, and Roman Mejia. Congratulations to all. So now it's 13:9. Why are there 30% fewer women than men on this company's principal roster? Who do they think sells the tickets? Why are the women standing for this? Where is the union on this? Optics matter.

        But we digress . . . (on and off, now and then).

        Our Act I fairies on Sunday included Olivia Boisson as the Fairy of Tenderness, Nieve Corrigan as the Fairy of Vivacity, Lauren Collett as the Fairy of Eloquence, Miriam Miller as the Fairy of Generosity, and Olivia MacKinnon as the Fairy of Courage. Ashley Hod returned as the scene stealing Carabosse.

        All the fairies performed their traditional choreography competently but we yearned for the beautiful shaping that Jackie Bologna gave to Tenderness and the lightning force of Alexa Maxwell's Fairy of Courage that we saw over the course of the run of Sleeping Beauty. We seem to be seeing both Olivia MacKinnon and Baily Jones featured in soloist roles, but as yet neither has distinguished herself beyond getting the steps right in ordinary fashion whereas Bologna, Maxwell and Collett have continually offered much fuller framed artistry. And now we've suddenly become aware of the exquisite length and beauty of one of the newest corps members, Dominika Afanasenkov, who got a handful of performances of the Fairy of Generosity. We'd like to see more of what these special artists have to offer.

    Since we're talking about the corps members, let's talk about the corps de ballet. They were nearly perfect in Sunday's closing performance. The Lilac Fairy's Attendants in Act I and the Nymphs in The Vision Scene danced with flawless uniformity. The Cavaliers all had mammoth sissonnes.

        This closing performance was such a strong team effort with so many brilliant performances that we immediately wished that Sleeping Beauty would return again next season. It offers so much more than either of the company's Swan Lakes. And right now, the company has the exact strengths that it needs to fill multiple casts who can easily pull off two weeks of performances.

        Our H.H. Pump Bump Award, Louboutin's Chick Queen stiletto, is bestowed upon Isabella LaFreniere for her amazing comeback performance of Aurora.

 

 

observations 2/24

        It wasn't exactly the debut we expected or wanted to see last night at New York City Ballet, but we're hopeful for a better outcome on Sunday. Debuting in the roles of Aurora, Désiré, and Lilac Fairy were Isabella LaFreniere, Peter Walker, and Emily Kikta. They all seemed to suffer from nerves.

        Aurora had troubles from start to finish --  let's look at a primary cause of many them. It has been a long, long time since we've seen a dancer knuckle over in her pointe shoe in the supporting foot as we saw with Isabella. The knuckling of the right shoe was so pronounced that it made ole Hag's foot scream with pain. How anyone could ever balance or promenade on such a knuckled over foot is a mystery. Then there were the ultra slow pirouettes. Too slow, too slow, too slow - the slowness was fatal to the fish dives - those fish were DOA. The pirouettes need to be like the snap of a finger and the flip of a coin. Big girls turn fast and always have: look at Cynthia Gregory.

        And the arabesques -- everyone's arabesques -- were not arabesques. They were just battements to the back with the idea that a high battement could be sold as a high arabesque. Nope, not with us balletomanes. From now on we're going to call them lemon arabesques. FYI, all you ballerinas/os out there, New York has a Lemon Law, that's right. Repair or refund.

        We did love Aurora's vertical-ness and uncluttered port de bras. It all made for a natural elegance, refinement, and sense of royalty. Her variations were quite cleanly performed. But overall, this performance was not stage-ready. Let's see what happens on Sunday.

        Our Lilac Fairy had some truly beautiful moments. The stationary shapes of her arms were exquisitely classical, but then when she started moving, the arms lost their classicism and went rather shapeless. Ick. Arabesques were not arabesques, but battements. The variations (excepting the arms & wrists & hands) were well danced and benefited from the statuesque beauty of the ballerina. Loved, loved, loved when she snuck up on Carabosse and the ensuing exchange.

        Lilac's Attendants were quite the mess. The line of them walking on pointe forward saw their heads going in eight different directions. Apologies to the couple in front of Haglund who may not have appreciated the breathy WTF.

        Actually, but for a couple of bloopers, Peter Walker had an outstanding debut as Désiré. When he arrived on stage, he demanded the viewer's attention with compelling mime and darned good dancing -- except for the bloopers on his turn/jump combo in the downstage corner, precisely the same place where Huxley blew out his combo. It was hard to tell if Walker could have done anything more with the fish dives. Isabella is a lot of legs to toss upside down, and her hesitation did not help Walker's effort.

        The fairies: Ashley Hod's Carabosse was boss. All the ladies dancing this role know it's a showstopper and they all will develop their individual evilness. Hopefully, somebody will look up Betty Davis and incorporate some of her innate genius into the role. Mimi Staker, Meaghan Dutton-O'Hare, and Claire Von Enck as Tenderness, Generosity, and Eloquence were quite confident and poised. Mary Thomas MacKinnon as Vivacity was also quite assured and technically sound, but those upper legs need to turn out everywhere, every time, and the heel of the shoe needs to be presented more than it was. Baily Jones as Courage was fine but for a small slip. However, we're not sure why this dancer was featured in a role that required lightning-like crackling brilliance.  We've seen her featured in a number of ballets over the past two years, but not much growth.

        The corpsmen who were cavaliers, however, were quite handsome and noteworthy -- especially Charlie Klesa, Christopher Grant, and Owen Flacke. NYCB needs to put Klesa and Grant in the front in everything. Everything. Legs, lines, handsomeness, height, and confidence.

        Looking forward to tonight and Sunday. Hoping for the best. Just a note on the lobby situation. If NYCB is going to paper the house with ticket deals and freebies, they should not make them all box office pickups. Why couldn't the extra hundreds and hundreds of people be encouraged to print out their own tickets or have what ever institution or apartment complex they're from print the tickets out? At one point last week, the house manager had to close the front doors and temporarily stop people from entering the lobby because the numbers nearly exceeded fire regulations. It was quite a chaotic situation.

 

observations 2/20

Looking forward to seeing a few more performances of Sleeping Beauty and even snagged a ticket to the hour-long Family Saturday program in order to get a glimpse of Emma Von Enck's preparations for an eventual Aurora which we cruelly got gypped out of this season.

Can't wait to watch Isabella LaFreniere tackle the role for the first time. In the past, tall dancers truly excelled in the role of Aurora - Gregory, Bussell, van Hamel. Aurora will dance opposite Peter Walker's Désiré, also a debut, and her debuting Lilac Fairy will be Emily Kikta!

This is what the Rose Adagio looked like 44 years ago. Cynthia Gregory's composure, refinement, adolescent excitement and technical fortitude that could not be knocked over by a Sherman tank are on display in this clip from PBS's Live from Lincoln Center in 1979. The whole performance which includes Fernando Bujones is in the Paley Center's archives. How Eric ever grabbed this fine clip, we don't know, but we're grateful; it was a historic performance.

There is a much lesser quality grab of the Wedding PdD with Fernando Bujones here. Patience is required but once you get to the meat of meal at 1.30, it is quite glorious. Just the ultra-slow developpe with bowed head at the beginning is worth watching over and over again.

We don't expect to see the experience of Gregory and Bujones when LaFreniere and Walker land on stage this Thursday, but we're pretty sure that they aren't going to waste time getting to the spectacular. And Emily Kikta's Lilac Fairy will have no trouble clearing evil from the court.