It's been a great weekend to be a New Yorker:
Rangers advanced.
Pettitte returned.
Jared Angle found his pirouettes.
Have no fear, Andy only needs one game to get his rhythm back just like Jared only needed one Symphony in C to get his sparkles adjusted. At the matinee performance today, Jared and Megan Fairchild led the first movement of Symphony in C beautifully, finally bringing this movement up to par with the other three. Maria Kowroski and Tyler Angle were divine in the the second movement's adagio – just divine. Ashley Bouder & Joaquin De Luz and Tiler Peck & Adrian Danchig-Waring repeated their brilliant performances from earlier in the week.
Teresa Reichlen and Justin Peck were fantastic together in Firebird. Sometimes it seems that dancers don't appreciate the part of Ivan, but Justin filled the opportunity with theatrical nuance, energy, and spirit. His PdD with Tess was as coordinated as it could be and he did everything he needed to do to allow her to dance her best. Tess burned today. Totally. Smoked. Loved her Firebird. It's so nice how NYCB has such a distinctive trio for this role.
The program opened with the magical Serenade. Janie Taylor, Sterling Hyltin, Rebecca Krohn, Jonathan Stafford, Ask la Cour and the exquisite Corps de Ballet made Haglund weep. Of course, the whole experience was made a little holier because he got to sit in the blessed 4th Ring where the clean, crisp air and the view of the stage are the best in the house. Even the tall blond fellow from the team across town – you know, the one embroiled in controversy – found refuge in the rafters of the 4th ring today.
Janie's abandon, Sterling's innocence, and Rebecca's urgency swirled through the notes of the Tchaikovsky – a heady cocktail for the thirsty balletomane. Rebecca's expansive wingspan, reach of the legs, easy speed, and pristine finishes so often evoke those of this company's legends. Pure pleasure.
The Pump Bump Award, a blue jeweled leather pump by Jean-Michel Cazabat, is bestowed upon the ladies of Serenade for one more glorious performance.