ABT – Gillian Murphy and Eric Tamm 12/15

Eric Tamm delivered a most elegant debut performance as the Nutcracker Prince opposite Gillian Murphy's joyous Clara tonight at BAM.  Wow, we've been waiting to see Tamm get a chance like this, and he did not disappoint.  Wonderful ballon, sustained renverse with a deep bend of the back, spotless beats, space-devouring jumps with great height to the front leg, AND the guy can lift!  His catch, lift-to-the-back-of-the-shoulder & spin of Gillian during their PdD was just fantastic.  Their diagonal of simultaneous double pique pirouettes was flawless. Tamm has such a gallant approach to his partnering, and a smile worth a million bucks.  AND the guy can lift!

Gillian was especially lovely tonight and considerate to Tamm.  She was a little more reserved in places – for example, she didn't throw her full force into supported pirouettes – two or three revolutions sufficed – and it all worked beautifully.  Her variation was youthful without being child-like, and elegant in its sweep and musicality.  She and Tamm are quite attractive together.  Although both are redheads, there isn't the washout that occurs when two blonds dance together.  They looked very complimentary in coloring, lines, and energy.  AND the guy can lift!  He'd make a handsome Albrecht for Gillian's Giselle in New Zealand next fall.  Just sayin'.  Gillian, by the way, will make her debut as Principal Guest Artist at the Royal New Zealand Ballet in Balanchine's Who Cares? during the company's NYC Season (that's New Young Classic) that tours NZ from February 29th through March 30th.

Tonight's performance highlights included Gemma Bond and Adrienne Schulte as the hilarious Maids.  Gemma was excellent as one of the Nutcracker's Sisters as well.  All of the sisters were synchronized, but Gemma was just a little more classical and refined than the others.  Haglund loves Gemma and wishes we'd see her more in classical solos.  Adrienne never left the stage tonight except to change costumes.  She was a Maid, Snowflake, and Arabian.  Same with Sarah Smith: good work as Grandmother, Snowflake, and Arabian.  Hope somebody gave these ladies a lift home after work, 'cuz they deserved it.  It was great to see Sterling Baca in Spanish.  Can't wait to see this guy in a big classical role. 

The children's cast was the same as last night, and they all did a fine job. 

The whole production worked more smoothly than last night.  Everyone had more energy and so did the audience.  Last night it seemed like some of the high society donors weren't too thrilled about having to truck all the way out to Brooklyn for a Nutcracker, and it also seemed like the Brooklynites haven't warmed up to paying Manhattan prices for their tickets at BAM. The tickets have been on TDF for a while, but once the initial announcement of the Nutcracker went up with those high prices, it was too late because some people won't bother to look again.  Attendance at tonight's performance was very light, and last night's opening had many empty seats and freebie seats.  What a shame. 

Of course, tonight's Pump Bump Award, Louboutin silver leather with red soul ($119.99), is bestowed upon Eric Tamm in celebration of his awesome debut: