My main recommendations for the week are American Ballet Theater’s Sylvia at the Met Opera House, beginning tonight and running through Saturday afternoon; and the Manhattan Dancesport Championships at the Marriott in Brooklyn Heights. MDC begins tomorrow night and runs through Sunday.
Sylvia is choreographed by Englishman Frederick Ashton. I haven’t yet seen it, but have heard it’s a wonderful ballet, and have heard Michele Wiles basically owns the lead. She is dancing Wednesday night with none other than that Italian superstar Roberto Bolle! The amazing Daniil Simkin and my new favorite Cory Stearns are also in that cast.
Again, though, I’m sure all casts are good. Gillian Murphy dances the lead tonight and Thursday, Diana Vishneva dances with Ethan Stiefel Wednesday matinee and Friday night, and Paloma Herrera and Marcelo Gomes are on Tuesday night and the Saturday matinee. (No performance Saturday night because of the holiday). Read more about the ballet here.
And if you’re a fan of ballroom — or even if you’re not, it’s ridiculous fun — the MDC, the most prestigious comp in the mid-Atlantic region, begins Tuesday and runs through Sunday at the Marriott Hotel at the Brooklyn Bridge. The best nights to go are Friday and Saturday night. Friday night are Professional Latin and American Smooth, and Saturday night is Professional Standard and American Rhythm. Also on Saturday night are the Professional Exhibitions. The other nights are fun too — the consist of all the pro/amateur comps, the seniors and the juniors, etc. (and are cheaper than the Pro comps) but if you really want to see great ballroom by the country’s top pros, Friday and Saturday nights are the sessions to attend. Tickets for those two nights are $55 (and between $25 and $45 for other sessions). Night sessions will last from 7pm until about 1 or 2 in the morning. Go here for the schedule and more info.
Sylvia is quite an interesting piece. I've had the pleasure of seeing with the Royal. The story might not be a high selling point but the music is beautiful and the variations are worth seeing the ballet. Bolle should be a great Aminta (there are several vids on YT with Darcey, all top notch, together with some rehearsal ones) and certainly, Murphy and Wiles look the part. In my head, Sylvia needs an athletic dancer who has great quick and fast feet, so at least Gillian should deliver (i've never seen Wiles).
I am quite intrigued by Vishneva in the role…are you attending that matinee? Look forward to your views.
Thats good. I will be there. $55 is no brainer 🙂
Pinky
Ballroom Dance Teacher
Cool. I will be there.
Pinky
Ballroom Dance Teacher
Hi Linda — yes, I am attending the Vishneva! I will definitely report! I'm really excited to see it; I haven't seen a lot of Ashton. I am going to look up those videos on YT!
Thanks for commenting, Pinky. Yeah, some people think it's a lot, but it's cheaper than a Broadway show, and over twice as long! I think it's a very good value 🙂 I can't wait — this is one of my favorite competitions!
Hi Linda — yes, I am attending the Vishneva! I will definitely report! I'm really excited to see it; I haven't seen a lot of Ashton. I am going to look up those videos on YT!
Thanks for commenting, Pinky. Yeah, some people think it's a lot, but it's cheaper than a Broadway show, and over twice as long! I think it's a very good value 🙂 I can't wait — this is one of my favorite competitions!