Discussion with Haglund

Anybody looking for some juicy ballet gossip with a side of sass? Well besides my blog (insert hair flip emoji here), Haglund's Heel is my favorite go to blog for all the drama. I love some good tea, and Haglund never fails to serve it. However, I don't usually involve myself in the discussion, until now. 

While scrolling through Haglund's blog, I noticed that Haglund also reviewed ABT's Harlequinade. I posted my own review here in Bullet Pointes on June 19th, after I attended the performance on June 8th. Haglund reviewed the same cast as me, and it seems like we share a few of the same opinions. Especially, our thoughts on Sarah Lane's performance.

Haglund enjoyed her performance so much, that they awarded Ms. Lane the famous H.H. Pump Bump Award. Click here to read Haglund's full review of American Ballet Theater's Harlequinade. Also make sure to check out the super cute pump he awarded the prima ballerina. 

After reading through Haglund's post, I wish they elaborated more on what they actually enjoyed about Sarah Lane's performance. I was so curious as to why the award was given to Ms. Lane, that I decided to comment and ask. 

Hey Haglund,

Can you elaborate on what you loved about Sarah Lane's performance that evening? Unfortunately, that was the only cast I was able to see that week. However, she blew me away when I saw the performance on June 8th at 8pm. She breezed through the extremely difficult choreography with ease and grace. Were the other trinas able to pull off those hops on pointe the way she did? Just curious. 

Also, that was a fantastic analogy. Couldn't have said it better myself. Totally captured how I felt about the reconstruction of this dated ballet.

Haglund never fails to respond to a good question, especially one from a fan. Haglund responded a little over 24 hours later.

Hi, Kristen.

I saw Sarah's performance and the opening night when Isabella Boylston managed the hops on pointe in a rather anxious and lumbering fashion. I didn't see the other two casts.

I wish Haglund elaborated more on what he liked about Ms. Lane's performance, but nevertheless I am happy I received a prompt response. However, I am thankful Haglund answered my second question. Seems like the other principal ballerinas were not as proficient in their hops en pointe as Sarah Lane.  

After reading Haglund's response, I am happy I was able to see the cast featuring Sarah Lane as Columbine. Good for you Sarah Lane! Can't believe it took them so long to promote you to principal dancer! Glad to see you thriving. 

Review: ABT's New Harlequinade

American Ballet Theater’s new Harlequinade was a feast for all senses. The costumes, the music, the dancers, and the choreography all worked together to create a stunning performance at the Metropolitan Opera House on Friday, June 8th at 8pm. Alexei Ratmansky has done it once again.

With the help of his wife Tatiana, Alexei Ratmansky has been reconstructing different ballets by Marius Petipa using Stepanov notation found at the library at Harvard. Last time it was Sleeping Beauty, powdered wigs and all. This time it was Petipa’s famous commedia dell’arte, Harlequinade. 

This was an odd choice of ballet by Mr. Ratmansky as noted by Brian Seibert, a critic from the New York Times. Mostly, because Harlequinade isn’t your typical story ballet. It is not as familiar as Sleeping Beauty, probably because the story hasn’t been Disneyfied. Also, there are only two other versions currently done in the world, and one is often danced right across the plaza by the New York City Ballet at the David H. Koch Theater. 

However, Ratmansky has a talent for breathing new life into a dated story. One of his strong suits is his comedic timing evident in almost every ballet he does. Even though this was a reconstructed work by another choreographer, you could still find some of Ratmansky’s unique humor throughout the evening. 

One particular section that had the audience rolling, was when Léandre (the heroine Columbine’s wealthy suitor) showed up with his two lackeys to serenade Columbine with his poor singing. Keith Roberts played this role with aplomb and his two lackeys, played by Carlos Gonzalez and Luis Ribagorda, were the perfect goading sidekicks.   

Another highlight was Ms. Sarah Lane, the true star of the evening. Sarah played Columbine with grace and ease even while she was dancing the most difficult choreography compared to her costars. During one of her variations she had to do rotating hops on pointe while also performing a grand rond de jambe with her leg. It was extremely impressive and had both my guest and I grabbing each other with excitement.  

My only qualm with Ms. Lane, was that her shoes were very loud. It was distracting as an audience member. After watching her hop en pointe throughout the ballet, I understood why she needed those hard shoes, but I wish that next time she performs she could take some time to bang her shoes against the wall. A technique often used by ballerinas so their pointe shoes don’t make so much noise.  

After reviewing the performance, I believe that this ballet is a must see for theatergoers in New York City. It might not be the best ballet for ABT's Met season audience (there wasn't much applause at the end of the ballet) but if you are a fan of commedia dell'arte, Harlequinade will keep you laughing in your seat. Sometimes it is nice to go to the ballet and laugh instead of cry.