Faile is back for another try.
The second installation of NYCB's Art Series, which again features the work of the Brooklyn art collective, is on display on the promenade level of the theater. You'll recall that the first offering was the Tower of Faile, which had its unique charm and was interesting at first glance. This one is entitled Faile Wheels. Brown cylinder spools are lined up across the length of the promenade like a series of security barricades in front of a federal building. The top half of each spool is decorated with Faile's customary pop art, and it spins if one is so inclined to touch it and give it a whirl.
Yes, these are touchy-Failey wheels.
Same burger, different bun.
Spools of Faile aside, there was some fine dance on the stage tonight in an All Balanchine Program of Serenade, Ivesiana, Tarantella, and Firebird. Absorbing the genius in Marc Chagall's scenery and costumes for Firebird and then confronting the Faile exhibit rather clearly illustrated the difference between great art and great gimmick.
Erica Pereira and Daniel Ulbricht delivered a pretty big Tarantella. Haglund was pleasantly surprised by Erica's sass and energy throughout. She was trying hard to bring her energy up to Daniel's level – an impossible task – but she pulled out a pretty entertaining performance. Daniel whacked his tamborine until its metal jingles went spraying across the stage. Add to that a blazing circle of coupe jetes that were especially exciting because they accelerated past the music as he exited into the wing.
Serenade can seem like a hypnotic experience when watching it performed as gloriously as it was tonight. One bar of music and you're in a trance. Add the soft blue lighting and the long wispy tulle, and you can become so mesmerized that your eyes stop blinking. Megan Fairchild's Russian was light and fleetfooted tonight. Sterling Hyltin's Waltz was a bit too perky for some tastes, but she and Jared Angle found the right chemistry. Megan LeCrone as the Dark Angel was wonderfully expansive. Adrian Danchig-Waring stepped in for Ask la Cour and was an exceptional partner for the women. The demi-soloists – Alina Dronova, Lauren King, Ashley Laracey, and Georgina Pazcoguin – were perfection.
Ivesiana was performed for the last time this season and is not on the schedule for next year. What a terrific vehicle it has been to show off Ashley Laracey's unique dramatic abilities. Peter Martins' ten-year corps investment in this dancer is about to be paid back in spades. Just promoted to soloist in February, Ashley has been marvelous in an ever-increasing repertory this spring.
Ashley Bouder first danced Firebird as a fill-in on a moment's notice when she was a 17-year-old corps member. A dozen years later, she continues to add shading and detail making each performance more magically musical. Perhaps dancing within so much Chagall treasure has inspired her to enrich her interpretation. Tonight she seemed as though she had emerged from one of his great murals.
The Louboutin Asteroid H.H. Pump Bump Award is bestowed upon Ashley Bouder for her evolving Firebird.
8 responses to “NYCB – Spools of Faile 5/24”
Haglung ,
I totally agree…..that “artwork” is just… ugly and pointless…Martins has no taste – look at the awful “designs”for R&J and “Swan Lake ” of his Danish pal Kirkeby ( SP ?).
The NY State Theater was quite beautiful when it opened…. the improvements backstage and the enlarged orchestra pit were long overdue, but the introduction of aisles in the orchestra level deprived the company of the income of the second most expensive location due to less seating.
The new carpeting is quite ugly…they did not replace the original neutral colored carpeting in the upper ring walls – it was replaced with some wallpaper which now is scuffed and torn.
The NY City Opera wanted to improve the acoustics for the singers with the result that the original proscenium arch was completely disfigured and covered with cheap gold paint, etc.
I mention this because the Faile “artwork” continues the vandalizing of Phillip Johnson’s original design…
Haglung ,
I totally agree…..that “artwork” is just… ugly and pointless…Martins has no taste – look at the awful “designs”for R&J and “Swan Lake ” of his Danish pal Kirkeby ( SP ?).
The NY State Theater was quite beautiful when it opened…. the improvements backstage and the enlarged orchestra pit were long overdue, but the introduction of aisles in the orchestra level deprived the company of the income of the second most expensive location due to less seating.
The new carpeting is quite ugly…they did not replace the original neutral colored carpeting in the upper ring walls – it was replaced with some wallpaper which now is scuffed and torn.
The NY City Opera wanted to improve the acoustics for the singers with the result that the original proscenium arch was completely disfigured and covered with cheap gold paint, etc.
I mention this because the Faile “artwork” continues the vandalizing of Phillip Johnson’s original design…
Right about the sets, Fred. When I saw Martins’ Swan Lake the first time with Darci in the lead, I had to immediately go back into therapy. Next season it is very possible that the Odette/Odile cast will include Ana Sophia Scheller. I won’t be able to stay away because IMO she is on an unusually brilliant journey toward becoming a major classical ballerina. Her Aurora knocked me out this year, especially the Vision Scene. I’m already wondering about how she will choose to do her mime — and how her mother’s tears will flow off the tips of Odette’s fingers.
Fred, I think NYCB may have made out like bandits with the addition of the two aisles. True, they took out some seats. But, all of a sudden they had about 60 new prime aisle seats for which they could charge premium pricing and dole out to donors.
I don’t object to using the promenade for art installations like Faile. I would hate to see it used to peddle arts & crafts to the public, however. For both of the Faile installations, NYCB has opened the promenade during non-performance hours so that the non-ballet public can come and see the art. It’s a smart way to get people into the theater to look around and get an idea of what goes on there.
Right about the sets, Fred. When I saw Martins’ Swan Lake the first time with Darci in the lead, I had to immediately go back into therapy. Next season it is very possible that the Odette/Odile cast will include Ana Sophia Scheller. I won’t be able to stay away because IMO she is on an unusually brilliant journey toward becoming a major classical ballerina. Her Aurora knocked me out this year, especially the Vision Scene. I’m already wondering about how she will choose to do her mime — and how her mother’s tears will flow off the tips of Odette’s fingers.
Fred, I think NYCB may have made out like bandits with the addition of the two aisles. True, they took out some seats. But, all of a sudden they had about 60 new prime aisle seats for which they could charge premium pricing and dole out to donors.
I don’t object to using the promenade for art installations like Faile. I would hate to see it used to peddle arts & crafts to the public, however. For both of the Faile installations, NYCB has opened the promenade during non-performance hours so that the non-ballet public can come and see the art. It’s a smart way to get people into the theater to look around and get an idea of what goes on there.
Haglund,
I agree….it is a great pace for art….and I agree with regarding Faile….What about the cheap plastic tables and chairs that they had littering the promenade last season? And the sub – F.L.-Wright furniture ?
Of course we are all gratified that donors give their money….what about the Koch brothers and their “renovation” of the public spaces…. the artwork that Johnson picked – now rusting on the balcony outside to make space for the listings of who gave how much ?
Like you , I am looking forward to “Swan Lake” with A.M. Scheller – but Balanchine`s….not Martins travesty .
Haglund,
I agree….it is a great pace for art….and I agree with regarding Faile….What about the cheap plastic tables and chairs that they had littering the promenade last season? And the sub – F.L.-Wright furniture ?
Of course we are all gratified that donors give their money….what about the Koch brothers and their “renovation” of the public spaces…. the artwork that Johnson picked – now rusting on the balcony outside to make space for the listings of who gave how much ?
Like you , I am looking forward to “Swan Lake” with A.M. Scheller – but Balanchine`s….not Martins travesty .
Agree about the furniture. But you’ll recall that NYCB had some kind of a contest for furniture designers and then they picked their three favorite entries. I remember what a fuss Macaulay made over it and he ranted that there shouldn’t be any furniture on the promenade; but I noticed last week that he and his pal had their cabooses parked in the chairs during intermission. Pardon my smile.
Agree about the furniture. But you’ll recall that NYCB had some kind of a contest for furniture designers and then they picked their three favorite entries. I remember what a fuss Macaulay made over it and he ranted that there shouldn’t be any furniture on the promenade; but I noticed last week that he and his pal had their cabooses parked in the chairs during intermission. Pardon my smile.