In an effort to do damage control after everyone noticed that Osipova was enema-ized from the roster, ABT released an urgent rush memo about its fall casting.
So, it seems that Alexei Ratmansky's new ballet The Tempest is going to be all about three male characters. Miranda is not even significant enough to be a TBA. Well, perhaps she'll have a pretty blond wig.
No Jared Matthews, no Yuriko Kajiya, no Misty Copeland, no Kristi Boone, no Eric Tamm, no Joe Gorak, no Leann Underwood on the schedule. WTF?
The latest Crimes Against Ballet include stealing the lead in Les Sylphides from Stella Abrera, who was exquisite when the ballet was last presented, and once again handing it over to Hee Seo. McKenzie just keeps trying to sweep Stella away. What next? "Stella, do you mind if we cut your hair off and give it to Hee Seo? We think she'd look pretty in it." And casting Isabella Boylston within 1000 miles of Les Sylphides is nothing short of a Class A felony. Her Moyna in Giselle just wasn't bad enough for everybody? Leann Underwood would give us an exquisite Mazurka in Les Sylphides, but now we have to settle for the horsey mazurka with dumping chin. And no Sarah Lane in T&V – one of her best roles? Meanwhile Simkin gets more Balanchine to mangle and mutilate? Crimes, all crimes against ballet.
Okay, now everybody is waiting for Haglund to stick the spear in the guest artist. No can do. Guillaume Côté is not like all the Bolshoi Hillbillies that McKenzie keeps leading into the barn. He's first class from head to toe. He was a wonderful Prince Charming to Stella Abrera's Cinderella, and McKenzie just can't wait to take that role and partner away from her and give them to Hee Seo. Just watch when the casting for Ashton's Cinderella is announced for the spring.
Haglund wonders if Côté might have some part in the Piece d'Occasion on opening night. Not as a dancer, but perhaps as either a composer or choreographer. He writes very balletic and danceable music of a classical nature. His piano and orchestra pieces are quite pleasing to listen to although his guitar creations are a bit like elevator music. So, what's up with that Piece d'Occasion? No joint snapping or gymnastics desired. Here's a fresh idea: how about some classical ballet?
Let's remind everybody that NYCB single tickets go on sale Monday. At NYCB everybody dances and the deserving get promoted.
18 responses to “Somebody call Crime Stoppers”
The fall casting is such a disappointment. I note that McK has also stolen Stella’s role in The Moor’s Pavane and given it to Seo. I don’t know Bach Partita, in which Stella is dancing. Is that a prominent role?
The fall casting is such a disappointment. I note that McK has also stolen Stella’s role in The Moor’s Pavane and given it to Seo. I don’t know Bach Partita, in which Stella is dancing. Is that a prominent role?
In Bach Partita, it looks like Stella might be dancing the Cynthia Harvey role although it’s a little hard to tell. If so, she would be the 3rd principal couple.
The Moor’s Pavane casting has Hee Seo in the Desdemona role which Julie Kent also danced. Stella and Veronika shared the Emilia role with Simone and, I think, Kristi Boone. It seems that ABT could change the casting on November 6th so that it doesn’t include Seo in both of the first two pieces. Stella would fit right into that Les Sylphide Prelude position, and it would be nice to see her dance it with Eric Tamm.
In Bach Partita, it looks like Stella might be dancing the Cynthia Harvey role although it’s a little hard to tell. If so, she would be the 3rd principal couple.
The Moor’s Pavane casting has Hee Seo in the Desdemona role which Julie Kent also danced. Stella and Veronika shared the Emilia role with Simone and, I think, Kristi Boone. It seems that ABT could change the casting on November 6th so that it doesn’t include Seo in both of the first two pieces. Stella would fit right into that Les Sylphide Prelude position, and it would be nice to see her dance it with Eric Tamm.
Just noticed that there is ONE performance with Jared and Joe Gorak on November 5th. Not exactly optimal use of their talents.
Just noticed that there is ONE performance with Jared and Joe Gorak on November 5th. Not exactly optimal use of their talents.
Totally agree with you. Though I’d be surprised if Jared at least doesn’t have the second lead in Clear in one cast. He was SOOOO good in that last time around.
I also agree about Cote – he’s one of the only guests I’ve enjoyed. Especially with Stella. They are great together.
Totally agree with you. Though I’d be surprised if Jared at least doesn’t have the second lead in Clear in one cast. He was SOOOO good in that last time around.
I also agree about Cote – he’s one of the only guests I’ve enjoyed. Especially with Stella. They are great together.
Yes, I remember Jared being fantastic in Clear. I also remember Max Beloserkovsky killing it in this piece as well.
Yes, I remember Jared being fantastic in Clear. I also remember Max Beloserkovsky killing it in this piece as well.
Hey, Haglund,
After missing the entire Spring season, I was looking forward to Fall, especially Tempest, even if I had to go to the KOCH (lovely theatre, hideous name). But, I don’t think I can watch Simkin trying to upstage Gomes and Cornejo.
I am so angry with and sad for ABT.
Hey, Haglund,
After missing the entire Spring season, I was looking forward to Fall, especially Tempest, even if I had to go to the KOCH (lovely theatre, hideous name). But, I don’t think I can watch Simkin trying to upstage Gomes and Cornejo.
I am so angry with and sad for ABT.
It won’t be as bad as watching him try to upstage Balanchine.
It won’t be as bad as watching him try to upstage Balanchine.
Hi Haglund,
Changing the subject a bit but have you been following the Vail Valley Foundation youtube channel? http://www.youtube.com/user/VailValleyFoundation
Tiler Peck is being featured quite a lot and one wonders when Damian Woetzel will ever get to direct his own company!
Hi Haglund,
Changing the subject a bit but have you been following the Vail Valley Foundation youtube channel? http://www.youtube.com/user/VailValleyFoundation
Tiler Peck is being featured quite a lot and one wonders when Damian Woetzel will ever get to direct his own company!
Hi crazy. Thanks for the link; lots of good clips there. Tiler’s a very big draw at the festival this year – with good reason. It’s great to see her featured so much in the videos. If that Le Corsaire clip wasn’t a dress rehearsal, then I’d have to say Polunin looks rather ordinary compared to his extraordinary media-fueled reputation. Not sure I’d give Woetzel any points for allowing that guy to touch a ballerina unless he knew with absolute certainty that his system was clean and that he was sober.
Hi crazy. Thanks for the link; lots of good clips there. Tiler’s a very big draw at the festival this year – with good reason. It’s great to see her featured so much in the videos. If that Le Corsaire clip wasn’t a dress rehearsal, then I’d have to say Polunin looks rather ordinary compared to his extraordinary media-fueled reputation. Not sure I’d give Woetzel any points for allowing that guy to touch a ballerina unless he knew with absolute certainty that his system was clean and that he was sober.