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Live report from the Summit: American Ballet Theatre


Turtles06
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My wife and I are aboard the Summit right now (Sept. 8 sailing).   Some months ago, we were excited to learn that dancers with the American Ballet Theatre were scheduled to perform on our cruise.  The other night, our Cruise Director announced that the first performance would be tonight at 9pm, with an encore tomorrow at 7pm. 

 

We got to the theatre this evening at about 8:15pm; there was already a line on both sides.  By the time the doors opened at 8:30, the lines stretched back through the casino.  By about 8:45, there was not an empty seat in the house.   

 

The first dance was a pas de deux from “Swan Lake,” about ten minutes long.  The two dancers — Remy Young and Alexandre Hammoudi — were excellent (and I could listen to Tchaikovsky all night).  This was followed by a twenty minute musical performance by a very talented singer, Kristen Hertzenberg.  However, she opened her set with “I’m a Woman,” which was a very jarring segue from the classical ballet that had preceded it.  After her set, the dancers returned for another pas de deux.  I was not familiar with the name of the piece, but it was quite beautiful.

 

All in all, the dancers performed for about 20-25 minutes, which I don’t think was enough.  I think it would have been better if Celebrity and ABT had committed more to the ballet, so that they could fill a whole show.  Hertzenberg has a great voice, and I would really love to see her do an entire show as well.   (She is certainly tons better than the singer who performed two full shows last night.)

 

It was a refreshing change from the usual shipboard entertainment to see ballet this evening.  It was a good start by Celebrity and ABT; I hope they can grow it into an entire show.

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Thank you very much for your review. I'm glad you enjoyed it, and that your fellow passengers seemed equally interested in seeing it. However there are at least a couple of CC members who are likely going to say you must have hallucinated the whole thing because they know that "most people" don't like ballet. Lol.

 

I have my fingers crossed that they will extend and expand their presence on X ships, since we won't be sailing again until Feb.

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5 hours ago, mom says said:

However there are at least a couple of CC members who are likely going to say you must have hallucinated the whole thing because they know that "most people" don't like ballet. Lol.

 

Yes, I read that thread.  And I’m guessing that the folks I saw trying to cut the lines last night must have read it too and believed those comments, and were shocked to find so many people trying to get in.  🤣

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X has not released the dates of their 2020 ABT cruises per their communication (except for Apex Naming Ceremony).

 

 

ENRICHMENT BASED ACTIVITIES – Available during sailing featuring ABT. All activities are complimentary Enrichment Seminars Ballet Barre Classes Children’s Classes ABT

 

SHORE EXCURSION – Available when ABT performs ashore at a port of call.

 

ABT GUEST APPEARANCES – SUMMIT – 3.23.19 (Trade Event) EQUINOX – May 25, 2019 – Post Revolution APEX NAMING CEREMONY - 2020

 

SUMMIT  3.23.19 (Trade)   3.25.19   4.13.19   9.8.19   9.22.19  10.6.19

EQUINOX   6.1.19 (Post-Rev.)   6.8.19   11.16.19   12.21.19 (HOLIDAY) 12.28.19 (HOLIDAY)   

MILLENNIUM   8.2.19   8.16.19

 

2020 Sailings have not been released yet.

 

 

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16 minutes ago, vtcruising said:

X has not released the dates of their 2020 ABT cruises per their communication (except for Apex Naming Ceremony)

 

Exactly.

 

BTW, the ABT rep is on board the Summit now and listening to the feedback, much of which is that folks would like a show that is entirely ballet. 

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22 minutes ago, Turtles06 said:

 

Exactly.

 

BTW, the ABT rep is on board the Summit now and listening to the feedback, much of which is that folks would like a show that is entirely ballet. 

They must be pleased with the great response onboard. I’m looking forward to finding out which 2020 cruises will have ABT.

 

Thanks for the report! 

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In terms of scheduling, it was explained to us that they have some real constraints (obviously) in terms of potential rough seas, and are doing their best to minimize possible problems. For example, the two nights on which the ABT is performing now on the Summit coincide with our low-speed passage through the Gulf of St. Lawrence and along the St. Lawrence River toward Quebec.  

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My understanding from being on a cruise in April with ABT is that ABT only sends two dancers who volunteer.  It is impossible to do a fully ballet with two dancers.  While I would have loved more time with both who performed on our cruise, I also understand how demanding the two pieces they did, were.  It was truly a dream to be able to participate in the class onboard and probably the only thing that could tear me away from the pool on a sea day.  I truly hope they continue the partnership and expand it, if feasible.  

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2 hours ago, DancerOT said:

My understanding from being on a cruise in April with ABT is that ABT only sends two dancers who volunteer.  It is impossible to do a fully ballet with two dancers. 

 

No one above suggested a full ballet with two dancers. What I said was that the program would have been much better if the entire 45 or so minutes were ballet, not two dances with a singer in between the pas de deux. If the two dancers can’t perform for 45 minutes, then perhaps ABT should send four dancers, with each pair dancing twice. The other overhead costs — particularly transporting and setting up the special floor on the stage — remain the same.  

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4 hours ago, vtcruising said:

I did find info that said that they will have 6 onboard performances in 2020 (ending June 2020 on select ships).

Thanks for this information.  My fingers are crossed that ABT will be onboard our June 6, 2020 cruise on Summit to Newport, Charleston and Bermuda.

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6 hours ago, Oville said:

Thanks for this information.  My fingers are crossed that ABT will be onboard our June 6, 2020 cruise on Summit to Newport, Charleston and Bermuda.

Us too for the May sailing of that Summit itin!

Glad you enjoyed Maine

We are in Fla now..all good at our place.

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