Originally posted by ksneds:

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ksneds
Member
Member# 306

posted 14 November 2003 10:31 AM
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Casting for the gala and first week of "The Nutcracker" have been released. Interesting tidbits include Joaquin DeLuz's NYCB NYS Theater debut as Tea and Adrian Danchig-Waring taking on the role of "Mother Ginger". And what a treat to see Albert Evans cast in "Symphony in C"!!

Several names are missing including Woetzel & Marcovici, but often dancers are off guesting during the Nutcracker season.

Casting
Program and Casting Subject to Change
*First time in role
+Guest Artist
# SAB Student

OPENING NIGHT GALA
Tuesday, November 25, 2003, at 7:00pm

Serenade
NICHOLS, BORREE, KOWROSKI, NEAL, FAYETTE

Intermission

Bugaku
KISTLER, SOTO

Intermission

Symphony in C
1st Mov.: SOMOGYI, TEWSLEY
2nd Mov.: WHELAN, ASKEGARD
3rd Mov.: TAYLOR, MILLEPIED
4th Mov.: van KIPNIS, EVANS

George Balanchine's The Nutcracker™
November 28 - November 30, 2003
FRIDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 28, 8:00 PM [Quinn]
Sugarplum: KOWROSKI
Cavalier: ASKEGARD
Dewdrop: SOMOGYI
Marzipan: RIGGINS
Hot Chocolate: RUTHERFORD, HIGGINS
Coffee: HANSON
Tea: ULBRICHT
Candy Cane: GOLD
Mother Ginger: J. STAFFORD
Flower, S.R.: van KIPNIS
Flower, S.L.: TINSLEY
Doll (Girl): DRONOVA
Doll (Boy): LABEAN
Soldier: CARMENA
Mouse King: SETH
Drosselmeier: La FOSSE
Hostess: ABERGEL
Host: *HANNA

SATURDAY MATINEE, NOVEMBER 29, 2:00 PM [Fiorato]
Sugarplum: WEESE
Cavalier: MARTINS
Dewdrop: *SYLVE
Marzipan: BOUDER
Hot Chocolate: GOLBIN, HANNA
Coffee: ABERGEL
Tea: CARMENA
Candy Cane: SUOZZI
Mother Ginger: RAMASAR
Flower, S.R.: BAR
Flower, S.L.: KROHN
Doll (Girl): FAIRCHILD
Doll (Boy): *FLYNN
Soldier: SEVERNINI
Mouse King: ORZA
Drosselmeier: FAYETTE
Hostess: BESKOW
Host: FOWLER

SATURDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 29, 8:00 PM [Moredock]
Sugarplum: BORREE
Cavalier: BOAL
Dewdrop: ANSANELLI
Marzipan: EDGE
Hot Chocolate: BESKOW, FOWLER
Coffee: McBREARTY
Tea: *DE LUZ
Candy Cane: HENDRICKSON
Mother Ginger: *DAN-WARING
Flower, S.R.: TAYLOR
Flower, S.L.: A. STAFFORD
Doll (Girl): *HYLTIN
Doll (Boy): *PAZCOGUIN
Soldier: *SUOZZI
Mouse King: *RAMASAR
Drosselmeier: KRAMAREVSKY
Hostess: BAR
Host: *la COUR

SUNDAY MATINEE, NOVEMBER 30, 1:00 PM [Fiorato]
Sugarplum: KOWROSKI
Cavalier: ASKEGARD
Dewdrop: SOMOGYI
Marzipan: RIGGINS
Hot Chocolate: RUTHERFORD, HIGGINS
Coffee: HANSON
Tea: ULBRICHT
Candy Cane: GOLD
Mother Ginger: J. STAFFORD
Flower, S.R.: van KIPNIS
Flower, S.L.: TINSLEY
Doll (Girl): DRONOVA
Doll (Boy): LABEAN
Soldier: CARMENA
Mouse King: SETH
Drosselmeier: La FOSSE
Hostess: ABERGEL
Host: HANNA

SUNDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 30, 5:00 PM [Quinn]
Sugarplum: WEESE
Cavalier: MARTINS
Dewdrop: SYLVE
Marzipan: BOUDER
Hot Chocolate: GOLBIN, HANNA
Coffee: ABERGEL
Tea: CARMENA
Candy Cane: SUOZZI
Mother Ginger: RAMASAR
Flower, S.R.: TAYLOR
Flower, S.L.: A. STAFFORD
Doll (Girl): FAIRCHILD
Doll (Boy): FLYNN
Soldier: SEVERINI
Mouse King: ORZA
Drosselmeier: FAYETTE
Hostess: BESKOW
Host: FOWLER

[ 14 November 2003, 10:32 AM: Message edited by: ksneds ]
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ksneds
Member
Member# 306

posted 21 November 2003 10:48 AM
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Changes to the casting for the gala and first week of Nutcracker:

GALA:
Serenade: Sofiane Sylve will replace Maria Kowroski
Symphony In C: Maria Kowroski will replace Wendy Whelan

NUTCRACKER:
Friday, November 28: Sofiane Sylve will debut as Dewdrop, replacing Jennie Somogyi.

Week 2 Nutcracker casting....

Of note:
Debuts: LaCour and Jonathon Stafford in Hot Chocolate and De Luz as the Candycane. Fairchild is debuting as Marzipan during the NYC Public Schools performance, which is closed to the public-a slightly more relaxed opportunity to try something new.

Lots of wonderful Sugarplums and Dewdrops this week-Ansanelli, Ringer, Taylor, Weese and Kowroski among others. Ringer and Ansanelli are both dancing a lot, with Ringer doing both Friday night and Saturday matinee as well as Tuesday evening.
It's great to see Ansanelli dancing opposite Woetzel & Millepied (who I believe is returning to the role after at least a year's gap), as she seems to have developed great partnerships with both. Ditto Taylor with Marcovici.

Casting: Program and Casting Subject to Change
*First time in role
+Guest Artist

George Balanchine's The Nutcracker™
December 2-7, 2003
TUESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 2, 6:00 PM [Moredock]
Sugarplum: RINGER
Cavalier: TEWSLEY
Dewdrop: SOMOGYI
Marzipan: MANDRADJIEFF
Hot Chocolate: KEENAN, HANNA
Coffee: ABERGEL
Tea: DE LUZ
Candy Cane: GOLD
Mother Ginger: DAN-WARING
Flower, S.R.: van KIPNIS
Flower, S.L.: TINSLEY
Doll (Girl): HYLTIN
Doll (Boy): PAZCOGUIN
Soldier: FROMAN
Mouse King: RAMASAR
Drosselmeier: FAYETTE
Hostess: BAR
Host: FOWLER

WEDNESDAY MATINEE, DECEMBER 3, 11:00 AM
(NYC Schools performance, not open to the public)

[Quinn]
Sugarplum: TAYLOR
Cavalier: MARCOVICI
Dewdrop: BOUDER
Marzipan: *FAIRCHILD
Hot Chocolate: *HANKES, *ORZA
Coffee: REICHLEN
Tea: CARMENA
Candy Cane: ULBRICHT
Mother Ginger: RAMASAR
Flower, S.R.: KEENAN
Flower, S.L.: *WOLF
Doll (Girl): DRONOVA
Doll (Boy): LABEAN
Soldier: SEVERNINI
Mouse King: SETH
Drosselmeier: La FOSSE
Hostess: ABERGEL
Host: HANNA

WEDNESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 3, 6:00 PM [Quinn]
Sugarplum: ANSANELLI
Cavalier: WOETZEL
Dewdrop: BOUDER
Marzipan: EDGE
Hot Chocolate: ABERGEL, SETH
Coffee: KROHN
Tea: HENDRICKSON
Candy Cane: SUOZZI
Mother Ginger: J. STAFFORD
Flower, S.R.: RUTHERFORD
Flower, S.L.: HANSON
Doll (Girl): FAIRCHILD
Doll (Boy): FLYNN
Soldier: CARMENA
Mouse King: ORZA
Drosselmeier: KRAMAREVSKY
Hostess: BESKOW
Host: la COUR

THURSDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 4, 6:00 PM [Fiorato]
Sugarplum: KOWROSKI
Cavalier: NEAL
Dewdrop: BORREE
Marzipan: BOUDER
Hot Chocolate: BESKOW, *J. STAFFORD
Coffee: HANSON
Tea: ULBRICHT
Candy Cane: GOLD
Mother Ginger: DAN-WARING
Flower, S.R.: van KIPNIS
Flower, S.L.: TAYLOR
Doll (Girl): HYLTIN
Doll (Boy): PAZCOGUIN
Soldier: SUOZZI
Mouse King: RAMASAR
Drosselmeier: FAYETTE
Hostess: BAR
Host: HANNA

FRIDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 5, 8:00 PM [Moredock]
Sugarplum: RINGER
Cavalier: SOTO
Dewdrop: WEESE
Marzipan: RIGGINS
Hot Chocolate: RUTHERFORD, HIGGINS
Coffee: REICHLEN
Tea: DE LUZ
Candy Cane: HENDRICKSON
Mother Ginger: RAMASAR
Flower, S.R.: ABERGEL
Flower, S.L.: GOLBIN
Doll (Girl): DRONOVA
Doll (Boy): LABEAN
Soldier: ULBRICHT
Mouse King: ORZA
Drosselmeier: La FOSSE
Hostess: BESKOW
Host: la COUR

SATURDAY MATINEE, DECEMBER 6, 2:00 PM [Fiorato]
Sugarplum: RINGER
Cavalier: ASKEGARD
Dewdrop: ANSANELLI
Marzipan: EDGE
Hot Chocolate: HANKES, ORZA
Coffee: ARTHURS
Tea: CARMENA
Candy Cane: ULBRICHT
Mother Ginger: J. STAFFORD
Flower, S.R.: BAR
Flower, S.L.: KROHN
Doll (Girl): FAIRCHILD
Doll (Boy): FLYNN
Soldier: FROMAN
Mouse King: SETH
Drosselmeier: FAYETTE
Hostess: ABERGEL
Host: HANNA

SATURDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 6, 8:00 PM [Quinn]
Sugarplum: SOMOGYI
Cavalier: BOAL
Dewdrop: TAYLOR
Marzipan: MANDRADJIEFF
Hot Chocolate: GOLBIN, HANNA
Coffee: KROHN
Tea: CARMENA
Candy Cane: DE LUZ
Mother Ginger: DAN-WARING
Flower, S.R.: TBA
Flower, S.L.: HANSON
Doll (Girl): HYLTIN
Doll (Boy): PAZCOGUIN
Soldier: SEVERINI
Mouse King: RAMASAR
Drosselmeier: KRAMAREVSKY
Hostess: BAR
Host: la COUR

SUNDAY MATINEE, DECEMBER 7, 1:00 PM [Fiorato]
Sugarplum: ANSANELLI
Cavalier: MILLEPIED
Dewdrop: van KIPNIS
Marzipan: RIGGINS
Hot Chocolate: BAR, *la COUR
Coffee: ABERGEL
Tea: SUOZZI
Candy Cane: HENDRICKSON
Mother Ginger: J. STAFFORD
Flower, S.R.: *REICHLEN
Flower, S.L.: *MULLER
Doll (Girl): FAIRCHILD
Doll (Boy): FLYNN
Soldier: ULBRICHT
Mouse King: SETH
Drosselmeier: La FOSSE
Hostess: BESKOW
Host: HANNA

SUNDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 7, 5:00 PM [Moredock]
Sugarplum: TAYLOR
Cavalier: MARCOVICI
Dewdrop: WEESE
Marzipan: FAIRCHILD
Hot Chocolate: BESKOW, J. STAFFORD
Coffee: HANSON
Tea: DE LUZ
Candy Cane: GOLD
Mother Ginger: RAMASAR
Flower, S.R.: BAR
Flower, S.L.: KROHN
Doll (Girl): DRONOVA
Doll (Boy): LABEAN
Soldier: FROMAN
Mouse King: ORZA
Drosselmeier: KRAMAREVSKY
Hostess: ABERGEL
Host: la COUR

Hi!
Casting for next week's performances of The Nutcracker has been posted.
Debuts and other special notes:

Dec 13 matinee: Joaquin De Luz and Megan Fairchild are making their debuts as the Cavalier & Sugarplum Fairy on the . Also, Melissa Barak will be debuting as one of the leads in Hot Chocolate:

There will also be a guest conductor for several performances during the week: Wong (no details given)

PRINCIPAL CASTING FOR THE WEEK OF DEC. 9 – DEC. 14, 2003
GEORGE BALANCHINE’S THE NUTCRACKER™
TUESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 9, 6:00 P.M.
(Conductor: Quinn)
SUGARPLUM: Weese; CAVALIER: Martins; DEWDROP: Borree; MARZIPAN: Tinsley;
HOT CHOCOLATE: Rutherford, Higgins; COFFEE: Reichlen; TEA: Ulbricht; CANDY CANE: Suozzi;
MOTHER GINGER: Danchig-Waring; FLOWERS: van Kipnis, Taylor; DOLLS: Fairchild, Flynn; SOLDIER: Carmena;
MOUSE KING: Ramasar; HERR DROSSELMEIER: Fayette; HOSTESS: Abergel; HOST: Hanna

WEDNESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 10, 6:00 P.M.
(Conductor: Moredock)
SUGARPLUM: Ringer; CAVALIER: Soto; DEWDROP: Somogyi; MARZIPAN: Bouder;
HOT CHOCOLATE: Golbin, Hanna; COFFEE: Abergel; TEA: De Luz; CANDY CANE: Hendrickson;
MOTHER GINGER: Ramasar; FLOWERS: *Hankes, Hanson; DOLLS: Dronova, Labean; SOLDIER: Suozzi;
MOUSE KING: Seth; HERR DROSSELMEIER: La Fosse**; HOSTESS: Beskow; HOST: Fowler

THURSDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 11, 6:00 P.M.
(Conductor: Fiorato)
SUGARPLUM: Borree; CAVALIER: H¸bbe; DEWDROP: Weese; MARZIPAN: Riggins;
HOT CHOCOLATE: Abergel, Seth; COFFEE: Hanson; TEA: Carmena; CANDY CANE: De Luz;
MOTHER GINGER: J. Stafford; FLOWERS: van Kipnis, Taylor; DOLLS: Hyltin, Pazcoguin; SOLDIER: Severini;
MOUSE KING: Orza; HERR DROSSELMEIER: Hendrickson; HOSTESS: Bar; HOST: Hanna

FRIDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 12, 8:00 P.M.
(Conductor: Wong**)
SUGARPLUM: Ansanelli; CAVALIER: Woetzel; DEWDROP: Kowroski; MARZIPAN: Edge;
HOT CHOCOLATE: Keenan, Fowler; COFFEE: Krohn; TEA: Hendrickson; CANDY CANE: Gold;
MOTHER GINGER: Danchig-Waring; FLOWERS: Abergel, Beskow; DOLLS: Dronova, Labean; SOLDIER: Ulbricht;
MOUSE KING: Ramasar; HERR DROSSELMEIER: Kramarevsky; HOSTESS: Bar; HOST: la Cour

SATURDAY MATINEE, DECEMBER 13, 2:00 P.M.
(Conductor: Fiorato)
SUGARPLUM: *Fairchild; CAVALIER: *De Luz; DEWDROP: Bouder; MARZIPAN: Mandradjieff;
HOT CHOCOLATE: *Barak, Veyette; COFFEE: Arthurs; TEA: Ulbricht; CANDY CANE: Gold;
MOTHER GINGER: Ramasar; FLOWERS: Bar, Krohn; DOLLS: Hyltin, Pazcoguin; SOLDIER: Froman;
MOUSE KING: Seth; HERR DROSSELMEIER: Fayette; HOSTESS: Abergel; HOST: la Cour

SATURDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 13, 8:00 P.M.
(Conductor: Quinn)
SUGARPLUM: Kowroski; CAVALIER: Neal; DEWDROP: Ansanelli; MARZIPAN: Edge;
HOT CHOCOLATE: Bar, la Cour; COFFEE: Reichlen; TEA: Carmena; CANDY CANE: Suozzi;
MOTHER GINGER: Danchig-Waring; FLOWERS: Hankes, Golbin; DOLLS: Dronova, Flynn; SOLDIER: Severini;
MOUSE KING: Orza; HERR DROSSELMEIER: Kramarevsky; HOSTESS: Beskow; HOST: Fowler

SUNDAY MATINEE, DECEMBER 14, 1:00 P.M.
(Conductor: Moredock)
SUGARPLUM: Borree; CAVALIER: Hubbe; DEWDROP: Ansanelli; MARZIPAN: Riggins;
HOT CHOCOLATE: Beskow, J. Stafford; COFFEE: Krohn; TEA: Suozzi; CANDY CANE: Gold;
MOTHER GINGER: Ramasar; FLOWERS: Keenan, Wolf; DOLLS: Fairchild, Flynn; SOLDIER: Ulbricht;
MOUSE KING: Seth; HERR DROSSELMEIER: Hendrickson; HOSTESS: Bar; HOST: la Cour

SUNDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 14, 5:00 P.M.
(Conductor: Wong**)
SUGARPLUM: Ringer; CAVALIER: Tewsley; DEWDROP: Kowroski; MARZIPAN: Fairchild;
HOT CHOCOLATE: Hankes, Orza; COFFEE: Hanson; TEA: De Luz; CANDY CANE: Ulbricht;
MOTHER GINGER: J. Stafford; FLOWERS: Reichlen, Muller; DOLLS: Hyltin, Pazcoguin; SOLDIER: Froman;
MOUSE KING: Ramasar; HERR DROSSELMEIER: La Fosse**; HOSTESS: Beskow; HOST: Fowler

* First Time in Role
** Guest Artist
PROGRAM AND CASTING SUBJECT TO CHANGE (12/2/03)

<small>[ 02 December 2003, 04:49 PM: Message edited by: ksneds ]</small>

Highlights of the coming week:
Carrie Lee Riggins finally getting her shot at Dewdrop!
Aaron Severini's debut as the Candycane

George Balanchine's The Nutcracker™

DECEMBER 16-21, 2003
TUESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 16, 6:00 PM [Moredock]
Sugarplum: ANSANELLI
Cavalier: MILLEPIED
Dewdrop: van KIPNIS
Marzipan: EDGE
Hot Chocolate: KEENAN, FOWLER
Coffee: ABERGEL
Tea: HENDRICKSON
Candy Cane: DE LUZ
Mother Ginger: DAN-WARING
Flower, S.R.: RUTHERFORD
Flower, S.L.: TAYLOR
Doll (Girl): DRONOVA
Doll (Boy): LABEAN
Soldier: CARMENA
Mouse King: ORZA
Drosselmeier: KRAMAREVSKY
Hostess: BAR
Host: la COUR

WEDNESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 17, 6:00 PM [Quinn]
Sugarplum: KOWROSKI
Cavalier: NEAL
Dewdrop: BORREE
Marzipan: TINSLEY
Hot Chocolate: RUTHERFORD, HIGGINS
Coffee: ARTHURS
Tea: DE LUZ
Candy Cane: GOLD
Mother Ginger: RAMASAR
Flower, S.R.: HANKES
Flower, S.L.: HANSON
Doll (Girl): HYLTIN
Doll (Boy): PAZCOGUIN
Soldier: ULBRICHT
Mouse King: SETH
Drosselmeier: La FOSSE
Hostess: ABERGEL
Host: HANNA

THURSDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 18, 6:00 PM [Fiorato]
Sugarplum: WEESE
Cavalier: MARTINS
Dewdrop: TAYLOR
Marzipan: RIGGINS
Hot Chocolate: ABERGEL, SETH
Coffee: HANSON
Tea: CARMENA
Candy Cane: SUOZZI
Mother Ginger: J. STAFFORD
Flower, S.R.: BAR
Flower, S.L.: KROHN
Doll (Girl): FAIRCHILD
Doll (Boy): FLYNN
Soldier: FROMAN
Mouse King: RAMASAR
Drosselmeier: HENDRICKSON
Hostess: BESKOW
Host: FOWLER

FRIDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 19, 8:00 PM [Quinn]
Sugarplum: ANSANELLI
Cavalier: WOETZEL
Dewdrop: SOMOGYI
Marzipan: BOUDER
Hot Chocolate: BAR, la COUR
Coffee: REICHLEN
Tea: ULBRICHT
Candy Cane: HENDRICKSON
Mother Ginger: DAN-WARING
Flower, S.R.: van KIPNIS
Flower, S.L.: TINSLEY
Doll (Girl): DRONOVA
Doll (Boy): LABEAN
Soldier: SUOZZI
Mouse King: ORZA
Drosselmeier: La FOSSE
Hostess: ABERGEL
Host: HANNA

SATURDAY MATINEE, DECEMBER 20, 2:00 PM [Fiorato]
Sugarplum: BORREE
Cavalier: HÜBBE
Dewdrop: WEESE
Marzipan: RIGGINS
Hot Chocolate: BESKOW, J. STAFFORD
Coffee: KROHN
Tea: SUOZZI
Candy Cane: ULBRICHT
Mother Ginger: RAMASAR
Flower, S.R.: KEENAN
Flower, S.L.: WOLF
Doll (Girl): FAIRCHILD
Doll (Boy): FLYNN
Soldier: SEVERINI
Mouse King: SETH
Drosselmeier: HENDRICKSON
Hostess: BAR
Host: la COUR

SATURDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 20, 8:00 PM [Moredock]
Sugarplum: RINGER
Cavalier: TEWSLEY
Dewdrop: BOUDER
Marzipan: FAIRCHILD
Hot Chocolate: GOLBIN, HANNA
Coffee: HANSON
Tea: CARMENA
Candy Cane: GOLD
Mother Ginger: J. STAFFORD
Flower, S.R.: BAR
Flower, S.L.: BESKOW
Doll (Girl): HYLTIN
Doll (Boy): PAZCOGUIN
Soldier: FROMAN
Mouse King: RAMASAR
Drosselmeier: FAYETTE
Hostess: ABERGEL
Host: FOWLER

SUNDAY MATINEE, DECEMBER 21, 1:00 PM [Kaplow]
Sugarplum: SOMOGYI
Cavalier: BOAL
Dewdrop: RIGGINS*
Marzipan: MANDRADJIEFF
Hot Chocolate: BARAK, VEYETTE
Coffee: ABERGEL
Tea: HENDRICKSON
Candy Cane: SEVERINI*
Mother Ginger: DAN-WARING
Flower, S.R.: REICHLEN
Flower, S.L.: MULLER
Doll (Girl): DRONOVA
Doll (Boy): LABEAN
Soldier: CARMENA
Mouse King: ORZA
Drosselmeier: KRAMAREVSKY
Hostess: BESKOW
Host: FOWLER

SUNDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 21, 5:00 PM [Quinn]
Sugarplum: WEESE
Cavalier: NEAL
Dewdrop: TINSLEY
Marzipan: BOUDER
Hot Chocolate: HANKES, ORZA
Coffee: ARTHURS
Tea: ULBRICHT
Candy Cane: HENDRICKSON
Mother Ginger: RAMASAR
Flower, S.R.: ABERGEL
Flower, S.L.: GOLBIN
Doll (Girl): HYLTIN
Doll (Boy): PAZCOGUIN
Soldier: FROMAN
Mouse King: SETH
Drosselmeier: FAYETTE
Hostess: BAR
Host: la COUR

New York City Ballet
“The Nutcracker”
December 27, 2003
New York State Theatre, NY

The View from the Fifth Ring

I love watching the New York City Ballet from the fifth ring seats, where you're actually at the same level as the elaborate ball-shaped chandelier hanging from the roof.

“We're above the baffles,” observes my ever-trusty companion as he peers down upon the top of the proscenium from our seats.

But from this lofty vantage point, you can see everything. Who really points their feet when in those spectacular arabesques? Are those lines and patterns actually straight when seen from above? And most importantly, who acknowledges the dance aficionados in the cheap seats with even a glance up to the fifth ring?

Through the season -- through the years -- I see “Nutcrackers” by the fistful, but City Ballet's “Nut” is still home to me. And as elegant as I know the production to be, there is something strangely even more magical in spying on the company as it performs the same stage wizardry that dozens of other more humble emulators employ.

It is in many ways inexplicable, but there is something fantastically fun about seeing Kyle Froman perform a stellar Soldier Doll in the Party Scene -- all crisp militarism and punchy accents – and then retreat into his fake “gift” box and crawl away on his hands and knees behind the skirts of the guests. It's somehow amusing to watch the party-goers sweep confidently to the big picture window upstage to gaze out at the snow, completely ignoring the gaping trapdoor hole next to the Christmas tree in the Stahlbaum's living room. And I got a chuckle out of watching the otherwise very convincing Jerimy Rivera as the Nutcracker Prince “chop off” the Mouse King's crown (he struck about two feet away from the actual head with his right hand as the Mouse King put the tiara to give to Marie into his left hand.)

Other things continue to amaze me, even after all these years. The Snow Scene, in which realistic flurries gently drift onto the stage (instead of the giant papery clumps that clobber the dancers on the head in most productions) still looks magical. And I continue to marvel at the sure-footedness of the corps de ballet who flit across the stage with speed and confidence, leaving strange little footprints behind as if they were in real snow.

Rivera and many of the young dancers from the School of American Ballet deserve special mention for their zest. The party scene kids certainly got into their roles and danced with a cheery attack that isn't always seen in their older colleagues. And Rivera's mimed retelling of the battle scene at the beginning of Act II was ferocious enough to make Alexandra Ansanelli as the Sugarplum Fairy take a step backwards.

Ansanelli makes a gracious Sugarplum. Her variation, which Balanchine places at the beginning of the second act, leaves a definite impression of sprinkled fairy dust, or intricate lacework, as if she were marking out a delicate ground for the festivities to take place upon. She is a warm fairy, if not an altogether queenly one and I am happy to report that her welcoming smile in the promenade around the stage encompassed the whole theater including the cheap seats.

Fairy magic, though, was not just to be found at the feet of the Sugarplum. As Dewdrop, Jennie Somogyi had not only crystalline and piquant technique but also a radiance that made the viewer sigh with satisfaction. Even from above -- possibly the most unforgiving angle a dancer could ever been seen at -- she looked perfect. And not just perfect, she looked lovely.

Also notable were the impressively resilient jumps of Daniel Ulbricht in the Tea divertissement, and the ever-courtly partnering of Damian Woetzel as Ansanelli's cavalier.

<small>[ 30 December 2003, 11:08 PM: Message edited by: mehunt ]</small>

Greetings!
I'm now back in Scotland, but managed to take in two NYCB Nutcrackers while back in the U.S.

The first was led by Ansanelli as the Sugarplum, with Benjamin Millepied as her Cavalier. In this performance, both Ansanelli and Millepied were superb in their solo parts, but gave me white knuckles in the final pas de deux, especially in the shoulder lifts. She was dancing with her usual energy, and Millepied looked a bit overwhelmed by her power, though they managed to cover the "not quite" shoulder sit lift very well.
The next peformance I saw was Ansanelli with Damian Woetzel, with Somogyi a stellar Dewdrop. Woetzel seemed to have a calming effect on Ansanelli, who was a much more refined and mature Sugarplum that night. Woetzel had suprisingly restrained in his pirouettes in second, but was a stellar partner, using a deep plie to save a potentially shaky shoulder lift and providing Ansanelli with solid support.

Standouts were Antonio Carmena as a stellar Solider. Carmena continues to be one of my favorites, as his dancing is just the right blend of precision and flow, with elegance and easy flexibility and a very polished, finished appearance. Dan Ulbricht added his usual breathtaking bravura feats to the Tea solo.

I enjoyed seeing Joaquin de Luz as the Candycane, though he did have trouble with some of the jumps through the hoop. de Luz was replaced by Ulbricht in the finale (who apparently, not content with the double jumps through the hoop, has now mastered the triple jump through the hoop!). I seem to remember a similar replacement last season, so it's probably a scheduling issue rather than one of injury.

It was, all in all, a treat to see NYCB again, as I will miss most of the coming seasons. I've heard wonderful things about Susan Stroman's new ballet, and am really excited that the two RDB dancers will be guesting this week with NYCB.

I also will be interested in promotions this season...who and when. The most logical promotions seem to be of male corps members...there are only four male soloist, and Angle appears to be out again with injury and Higgins has a somehat limited repertory. Hanna, Stafford and Orza all did Cavaliers this past week, and Carmena, Fowle, Seth and Ulbricht are also getting plum roles. With his regal quality and dramatic flair, la Cour is also making a name for himself, though he probably needs a few more seasons to gain experience and expand his repertory.
Carrie Lee Riggins is also being cast in many roles, FINALLY getting to do Dewdrop, and Amanda Edge and Ashley Bouder and Megan Fairchild are also showing great promise.
The only other promotion that seems likely is Taylor to principal, as no other soloist seems at the cusp of promotion (though if he'd stayed healthy, I think Jared Angle would certainly have been promoted by now. The pictures of his brother in the recent SAB newsletter reminded me of Jared-regal, long limbed and elegant-true princes)

Kate