American Ballet Theatre: Alina Cojocaru / Metropolitan Opera House, Lincoln Center, NYC / MAY 16 – July 9, 2011 She’s a darling, Alina Cojocaru–petite, pretty (without being pert or saccharine), fragile-looking as a waif. Her secret, which, of course, she reveals almost immediately after her entrance on stage, is a technical proficiency that would impress […]
Milestone
American Ballet Theatre: Jose Manuel Carreño’s farewell performance / Metropolitan Opera House, Lincoln Center, NYC / June 30, 2011 Jose Manuel Carreño bowing to the audience at the close of his farewell performance with American Ballet Theatre Photo: Rosalie O’Connor Is any dancer among us today as much loved as Jose Manuel Carreño? The ardor […]
The Royal Danish Ballet in New York
Royal Danish Ballet / David H. Koch Theater, Lincoln Center, NYC / June 14 – 19, 2011 On the final leg of its ambitious coast to coast American tour, the Royal Danish Ballet played New York–the city least likely to let the troupe’s legendary charm dissuade fans from seeing its problems. A central one is […]
The Turning Point
School of American Ballet: 2011 Workshop Performances / Peter Jay Sharp Theater, Lincoln Center, NYC / June 4 and 7, 2011 As classical dance fans know, the annual Workshop Performances of the School of American Ballet–New York City Ballet’s renowned academy–display the accomplishments of its budding teen-age dancers, some of whom will be the next […]
Not One Bleak Swan in Sight
American Ballet Theatre: Ratmansky, Wheeldon, Millepied, and Tudor / Metropolitan Opera House, Lincoln Center, NYC / May 24-26, 2011 The lone mixed-repertory program in American Ballet Theatre’s eight-week spring season at the Metropolitan Opera House attempted to lure today’s audience, addicted to multi-act story ballets, to a more varied–and riskier–scenario. It offered new pieces by […]
ABT Gala: Touting the Coming Attractions
American Ballet Theatre: Opening Night Gala / Metropolitan Opera House, Lincoln Center, NYC / May 16, 2011 Gala! Of course there were little speeches before the curtain–from Rachel Moore, American Ballet Theatre’s Executive Director, resplendent in an origami-influenced emerald gown; Kevin McKenzie, the company’s Artistic Director; and Carolyn Kennedy, whose girlish awkwardness has become part […]
Balanchine: Black & White
New York City Ballet / David H. Koch Theater, Lincoln Center, NYC / May 3 – June 12, 2011 The Women in White: Members of the New York City Ballet corps de ballet in George Balanchine’s Symphony in Three Movements Photo: Paul Kolnik New York City Ballet opened its spring season with a week and […]
Sloth, Pride, Anger, Gluttony, Lust, Greed, and Envy (once again)
New York City Ballet: The Seven Deadly Sins / David H. Koch Theater, Lincoln Center, NYC / March 11, 12, 13 14, & 15, 2011 Working Girls: Patty LuPone, Wendy Whelan, and company men in Lynne Taylor-Corbett’s The Seven Deadly Sins Photo: Paul Kolnik New York City Ballet’s spring season gala on May 11 focused […]
À la Française
Paris Opera Ballet School / Palais Garnier, Paris / April 7, 9, 11, & 12, 2011 The spectacularly ornate Palais Garnier opera house, home to the Paris Opera Ballet, can be daunting to a visitor, given its grand staircase, paired pillars of marble in exotic colors, elaborate gilded carvings, and profusion of crystal chandeliers. Nevertheless […]
Seeing Things Elsewhere
Hello! I’ll be in Paris for the first half of April–seeing things. Posting will resume later in the month. Meanwhile, your Comments on my recent reviews and any of the Personal Indulgences essays–listed on the first page of Seeing Things–are very welcome. tt