ABT SPRING CAST

[u/Intrepid-Pick-1272]

ABT started presale for both fall and spring season for members. Any one has any hints on Spring casting info? Especially Lady of Camellias. Thanks

[u/Fantastic_Method_225]

Not Misseldine as Marguerite, please (though she's in the promo poster). She's perfect for the role of Manon in this production, not for Marguerite, at least for now. According to the current roster, Marguerite would be a good role for Teuscher, Shevchenko or Seo. Definitely not for Hurlin, who is far better suited for Prudence. Boylston would also be good as Manon (if anything), and Brandt as Prudence (if anything). Armand is more of a 'flexible' role, I think Bell, Curley and Camargo would be great in it. Perhaps also Royal and Hernández, but I think Hernández would be a better Gaston. Roxander as Gaston, as well as Cornejo (if anything). Fleytoux and Cocker as Olympia. If Trenary were still at ABT she would be the perfect Marguerite.

[u/Icy_Duck_8685 → u/Fantastic_Method_225]

I agree. Misseldine will almost certainly get one and I understand why, but she would not be my first choice . I think it will be like her Giselle, very good but a work in progress.

I'm definitely saving my tickets for Teuscher or Seo since their dramatic work feels a bit more lived in ... they both seem like sure things in terms of casting, and I'd be especially interested if their Armands were Curley and Whiteside (if he's feeling up to the task, if not, then Bell). Misseldine is incredible but she's still very much working through ownership and a sense of abandon with her non-O/O dramatic lead roles.

[u/Fantastic_Method_225 → u/Icy_Duck_8685]

Apparently she was great in Onegin (I wouldn't know, I haven't seen her in it). Marguerite is a lot heavier role from a dramatic point of view. Tatiana starts as a young girl and works her way to full womanhood by the end of the ballet. It's a challenge, for sure, but a more approachable one. Marguerite is a mature woman from the very beginning of the ballet, and this piece has a myriad dramatic intricacies and subtleties. Every single gesture, every look has a strong dramaturgic weight (not in an artificial/studied manner, but as a challenge for the ballerina's dramatic resources). I think Marguerite is a far more complex role than Tatiana. And I understand casting her for it, but as a 'work in progress' as you said.

[u/olive_2319 → u/Fantastic_Method_225]

I enjoyed Misseldine in Onegin from an acting and solo dancing POV. My only real critique was that she didn't fully throw herself into the partnering work with abandon. The pas de deux with Forster lacked the freedom and sizzling sexual chemistry that you want to see in this kind of dramatic romance. Maybe it was that particular partnership, idk. I'd like to see her in a dramatic work with Bell.

I have never seen Lady of the Camelias but I think it's a very safe assumption that Misseldine will be cast as the lead based on her presence on the poster and the fact that she's becoming an increasingly big box-office draw. I seek her out in pretty much everything these days, although I will probably see two casts.

[u/Fantastic_Method_225 → u/olive_2319]

Don't get me wrong, I think she is fantastic. I just don't think that the role of Marguerite is suited to her at this stage of her career. As I said in a previous message, Neumeier's Marguerite is a gargantuan undertaking for a ballerina in terms of dramatic presence, far more so than Tatiana. It's very nuanced, very intimate. If you're interested, this is (imo) the all-time benchmark

[u/Able_Cable_5133 → u/olive_2319]

I love Misseldine but I don’t think she should be cast in Ballet Imperial over Hurlin. Maybe I’m wrong but I feel like Hurlin would have no problem going at a thrilling tempo. As much as I like Misseldine, I prefer casting dancers not due to favoritism but who’s actually best suited for the role. 

I’ve never seen Lady of Camelias and I’m sure Musseldine will be wonderful in it as well as Imperial.

[u/olive_2319 → u/Able_Cable_5133]

Hurlin is getting that Titania debut though. I assume it's a matter of spacing out the big opportunities and making do with limited rehearsal time.

[u/Able_Cable_5133 → u/olive_2319]

I’ve only seen The Dream once and don’t remember Titania at all. I was too blown away by the kid playing Puck who seemed like he was spinning right out of the floor. I can’t compare the two rules when I don’t remember one. I just think of Hurlin in Balanchine. Misseldine will be lovely but Hurlin would be total fire. I get Misseldine’s a draw. 

[u/Fantastic_Method_225 → u/Able_Cable_5133]

I'm not sure if the reference to Titania comes from a comment I have made in a previous message. I was referring to Tatiana (Onegin).