ABT Met Opera Season

Congrats to American Ballet Theatre for a wonderful Met Opera season.

You can still see many of your favorite ABT dancers on stage again on July 25-26. ABT’s very own Gemma Bond is presenting her works at the Joyce Theater Ballet Festival in collaboration with 16 incredible ABT dancers. Help support her project and the dancers!

Now, back to the closing night and my third visit this week with Tchaikovsky Spectacular.

I can’t decide which I like more: “Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux” or “Souvenir d’un lieu cher”.

Isabella Boylston and James Whiteside were stunning in “Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux”. The fast-paced duet is a treat filled with gorgeous aerials, and Isabella and James owned every one of them. ❤️❤️

Seeing “Souvenir d’un lieu cher” a second time allowed me to reinterpret this ballet, take in all its details, and appreciate the story even more. In a few short minutes, this ballet brings you inside the mind and soul of the lead character, her memories past, and her torn heart. It makes you feel nostalgia. It reminds you of first loves. It touches your raw emotions. The different cast tonight, newly promoted Devon Teuscher (congrats!), Cassandra Trenary, David Hallberg, and Tyler Maloney, beautifully danced the four roles. Bravos! 🤗🤗

Also, shoutouts to Jeffrey Cirio and Gabe Stone Shayer You were amazing in Mozartiana and Aurora’s Wedding!

Star Spotting at the Met Opera

Star spotting tonight at the Met Opera!

The final week of American Ballet Theatre season is the Tchaikovsky Spectacular. Tonight’s program features excerpts from four ballets… or put differently, a chance to see six principals and five soloists on stage in a single night (and that’s just the top billed artists).

Two of my favorite stars, Gillian Murphy and James Whiteside, duetted in a fun Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux. As the tempo picked up, the aerials only got faster and higher, cultivating in Gillian leaping into two gorgeous fish dives and an overhead lift by James to end the piece. Bravos! Thank you for the treat!!! 🔥😍😘

Cassie Trenary was lovely as Princess Aurora in Aurora’s Wedding. Sadly, Herman Cornejo was injured and unable to perform as Prince Désiré.

Costuming for the wedding is absolutely stunning. Love Alexandra Basmagy‘s dress as the Queen (and her beautiful performance earlier in the night in Mozartiana alongside Catherine Hurlin). My favorite step of all times is the mazurka, and so naturally I adored ensemble of mazurka dancers.

We got a preview of the White Cat on instagram during intermission by Elina Miettinen, who came out as the purrrfect sassy kitten. Don’t mess with this one. Meow! 😻