NYCB Sleeping Beauty Final Performance

Indiana Woodward and Anthony Huxley finished New York City Ballet’s Sleeping Beauty run Sunday with a solid performance but, like the other NYCB performances I’ve seen over the past two weeks, with a few rough spots.

Indiana portrayed Aurora with great gusto and spunk. She navigated the Rosa Adagio with just a few wobbles. Indiana, like Lauren Lovette, who performed Saturday evening, has the girlish charm down well, giving a believable portrayal of the young Aurora. Her solo in the Grand Pas de Deux was danced with great delicacy. Anthony was an impressive technician, with authoritative solos delivered with high energy. Although stirring in his solo work, he lacks a certain stage presence in portraying the Prince that will likely grow over time. The Grand Pas de Deux was fine, except for a missed segment in the middle before the fish dives. Indiana came off point and awkwardly walked around Anthony to start the next section.

Megan LeCrone as the Lilac Fairy and had a few shaky moments on turn sections; in particular, her double turn with arms overhead was particularly rough.

I saw four performances, all with at least one debut lead cast member: Sterling Hyltin/Russell Janzen; Lauren Lovette/Joseph Gordon (2 times); and Woodward/Huxley. The first performance from Lauren and Joseph was the best with the other three having some wayward moments.

The star of the performances was Joseph Gordon, who danced with great confidence Saturday evening, delivering a strong performance. He is robust technically and dramatically, making him the new star of the company. I look forward to his future work.

NYCB closes its winter season this week with mixed rep performances.

NYCB Sleeping Beauty

Sara Adams and Spartak Hoxha, Princess Florine and the Bluebird