The Royal is performing Manon in Boston in June. I have been trying to find information on other performances in the US. Their website does not even list a US tour.... or Boston for that matter. Does anyone have any info?

After Boston, they're scheduled to be at the Kennedy Center (per the KC website). A mixed bill is listed, as well as Sleeping Beauty. Don't know of anything else; hope this helps.

Johan Kobborg's site lists an US/South American tour in his schedule section. The Boston and Washington DC dates might be the only US dates (they are the only ones I can find anyway...)

Ohmygosh; NextStage posted!! Hi there, NextStage!

Giannina

Holy cow, my daughter was just today saying that she would love to see Royal Ballet perform!! The KC dates and distance are doable for us, so what say you experts to the choices -- the mixed repertory program with two Ashton pieces (La Valse and Enigma Variations) or Sleeping Beauty?

BOTH.

Thanks for the info. I was hoping they might be touring more here.

I might have to make a trip or two this June. I would love to see Alina or Tamara and the new/old Beauty.

I sent a query to the RB for details and just received this nice reply:
So keep checking!

I'm hoping to see The Sleeping Beauty on June 22 at the Kennedy Center so will leave it to fate re casting...rooting for Rojo!

Ticket sales to the public for the Kennedy Center appearance go on sale this friday, April 7. I'm trying to decide if I can safely commit to some excellent midweek airfares before then. And by "safely" I mean, will I still be able to get tickets to the Tuesday mixed bill and the Wednesday Sleeping Beauty (fie on you, Leigh Witchel, for encouraging me to attempt both!)? What are people's experiences with how quickly Kennedy Center ballet bills sell? thanks!

oh, and any tips on whether it's better to buy online or go through the switchboard, Ticketmaster or whatever other purchasing route is available?

Can I make it up to you by helping you to Priceline a hotel?

Yours, enablingly,

LAW

chauffer, if you buy online, you won't know where in the section your seat is.

So, kfw, what's the best way to purchase? Calling KC directly?

And thanks for the offer, Leigh, but we're hoping for nice weather so we can pitch a tent on the Mall.

Akk! Just realized -- I have to get tickets for the Ashton mixed bill on Wed, June 21 and Sleeping Beauty on Thurs, June 22 to make this work. Does anyone think I'll have problems getting tix to SB on its opening night? (and what time does that darn box office open because I can't find that info online?) Thanks!

Chauffer, you shouldn't have a problem getting tickets for those nights, at least not yet! The Kennedy Center’s online system lets you chose the section you want to sit in and then tells you exactly which seat it is offering you. The only problem with using the system is if you’re picky about exactly where you want to sit (like me). I like to be in the first row of the balcony, even if it’s on the side. But the online system assigns center seats first, so it may show me D103 when I’d rather have A15. In that case, it’s better to call the box office where you can specify what you want and be told about everything that’s available.

The box office opens at 10 AM. If you are willing to make a $60 donation to the Kennedy Center you can buy your tickets NOW because Kennedy Center members get a 10 day window before single seats go on sale to the public. That’s what I did, I ordered my tickets on 3/31, and got great seats. Good luck!

I've thought about becoming a Kennedy Center member again to get tickets early, but I've been waiting till casting is announced. Royal Ballet watchers, can you say how far in advance casting is usually posted?

yeah, I bit the bullet on the $60 membership thing, even before I saw you posted, nysusan! I rationalized that it was worth it on the airfare I'm saving by booking my plane tix today. And we got nearly identical seats for both Wednesday and Thursday -- center of row F in the 1st tier, which is just where I like it. I really thought Thursday, being opening night for Sleeping Beauty, might have fewer tickets available, but I guess not.

Now to decide if we bother friends for beds to sleep in, or go hunting for hotel bargains!

Did someone say hotel bargains?

Last year, at the same time, I got the 3* Marriott Washington Westend on 22nd Street (in Georgetown) for $60/night, but not until about 5 days before the performance (a few weeks before bids for $65 were not accepted).

If you want to gamble like this, get a normal reservation you can cancel as a backup. If you need any help with Priceline, check out my blog or ask.

What's the best way to get to KC from your hotel? Taxi or do you rent a car? I would appreciate your advice Leigh.

Starr, if I'm not within reasonable walking distance of KC, I like the option of taking the KC Shuttle bus from the Foggy Bottom Metro stop (what's that, the blue or the orange line?). I looove the Metro system, and I remember it can be an absolute bear getting a taxi after KC shows. Unless you know well how to navigate the streets of DC, you really don't want to be driving a car to/from KC. It's easier to end up across the river in Virginia than it is at KC!

and thanks for the Priceline advice, Leigh. I've never tried that, but with a safety net reservation in place, I think I will!

About throwing up at hotel prices in the DC area. . About ready to chuck this idea and just go to NYC and see Diana V. , but it's the Royal ! Chauffer, thanks for the info on the Metro that sounds good.

Don't freak Starr. You should be able to do better - does anyone know if there's a special event in DC at that time - any sort of convention or something that's affecting the market for hotel rooms?

Something to consider is staying in one of the suburbs on the Metro, like Arlington. That can really help your budget immensely.

We should probably take the travel discussion offlist, but I am only too happy to help. It's one of my hobbies

Leigh, maybe we should start another thread for travel discussion. I don't know about any special events in DC this June, but I decided to go for the Kirov & Royal months ago and have been following the hotel costs closely. They are horrendous & have only been going up. I booked the cheapest room I could find in a decent neighborhood (walking distance from KC) back in December. It was $169/night then and has since gone up to $262/night. I found a cheaper hotel a couple of weeks ago and changed my reservation, but that one is no longer available to people who are trying to book now.

Since there seem to be several Ballet Talkers who are planning trips to DC to see these 2 companies perhaps a separate thread is warranted - especially if you have any advise!

Not freaking too bad Leigh, it's nothing not in my budget but they were cheaper last summer at this time . Reminds me of going to a trade show in New Orleans that someone brilliantly booked during Jazz Fest.


To get back on topic when do you think the Royal will put out casting? Opening night for Sleeping Beauty should be one of the big names(fingers crossed for Alina).

This came from Jack Wright at Celebrity Series - the Boston production group:

For Immediate Release


MEDIA ADVISORY

Bank of America Celebrity Series and
The Wang Center for the Performing Arts
to Present THE ROYAL BALLET
in Kenneth MacMillan's MANON
June 15-17, 2006 at Boston's Wang Theatre

Thursday, June 15, 7:30pm
Friday, June 16, 8pm
Saturday, June 17, 2pm & 8pm

Music by Jules Massenet
Choreography and Direction by Kenneth MacMillan

THE ROYAL BALLET returns to Boston with one of Kenneth MacMillan's best-known works, MANON. MacMillan's seductive version of Prévost's Manon Lescaut features an Act I pas de deux that is arguably the most provocative choreographic moment in ballet history. The Royal's Manon is a work of engrossing narrative and touching sadness that soars to romantic heights before plunging to its climax of despair and death.

BOSTON CASTS:

Thursday, June 15, 7:30pm
Manon: Tamara Rojo
Des Grieux: Carlos Acosta
Lescaut: Jose Martin
Lescaut's mistress: Sarah Lamb


Friday, June 16, 8pm
Manon: Alina Cojocaru
Des Grieux: Johan Kobborg
Lescaut: Viacheslav Samodurov
Lescaut's mistress: Laura Morera


Saturday, June 17, 2pm (matinee)
Manon: Zenaida Yanowsky
Des Grieux: Kenneth Greve
Lescaut: Thiago Soares
Lescaut's mistress: Marianela Nunez


Saturday, June 17, 8pm (evening)
Manon: Tamara Rojo
Des Grieux: Carlos Acosta
Lescaut: Jose Martin
Lescaut's mistress: Sarah Lamb

Pretty exciting...c'mon Kennedy Center, let's see what you've got!

Still no casting list for Kennedy Center <sigh> but I did just notice that the description on the mixed bill has been expanded:

>>The company will also perform a program of mixed repertory to include two Ashton works--La Valse, with music by Ravel, and Enigma Variations danced to Elgar's beautiful score--as well as company dancer Alastair Marriott's new work Tanglewood, which uses the music of American composer Ned Rorem, and Sir Kenneth MacMillan's Gloria, an evocation of the tragedy of wasted life in World War I that is set to music by Poulenc. <<

Any thoughts on the addition of the Marriott and MacMillan pieces?

If nothing else, it's a long mixed bill! You're getting your money's worth.

Where & how would I go about getting tickets to see them at Kennedy Center? Do I have to pay for that Membership in order to get tickets? I have no idea how I'd swing this financially but I'd love to surprise my mom with tickets....

We would be driving so anyone have any advice on where to stay that would be close enough to catch the Metro to the performance but not stupid-expensive? I am assuming that the Metro runs after the performance as well?

The last time I was in Washington DC I spent the entire time inside a hotel ballroom at a conference, so I am not at all familiar with the city. Any advice would be welcomed.

Quick hotel suggestions (Note: I do this as a hobby, follow my advice at your own risk, please don't ask me to talk you through a bid, I just don't have the time, etc. . .)

Cancelable Backup - Book at a Choice Hotel through this link: http://www.smartertravel.com/hotel/mb.php?id=16348 . It's not super cheap (downtown DC is $145/night) but it gives you a room, and a "floor" so you know what to beat - and the reservation should be cancelable without penalty. If you find something better that's cancelable without penalty, book it! (CHECK THE CONDITIONS BEFORE YOU RESERVE!)

Priceline - Looking at a similar site (Hotwire), the going rate in DC for midweek in June (I did 6/21-23) is relatively high. $140 for a 2* hotel. This is significantly more than last year - my guess is a hotel will cost more as well. If I were bidding right now, I'd start at $60 for a 3* in Georgetown and expect it to be rejected. My offhand guess is a winning bid for a 3* will be between $80-$110 in Georgetown and a good deal less in Arlington or Alexandria. I also think brinksmanship may help here - hotels will load inventory onto Priceline about 1-2 weeks before the date.

To learn about how to bid - http://www.leighwitchel.com/blog/archives/travel/priceline/ start at the bottom and read up. Don't be freaked out by the detail - it is a tutorial so it goes through things in more detail than you may need.

Thank you. I see that is quite complete- what a wonderful resource!

McMillan's Gloria as I remember it was very moving. More an evocation of an era than a story ballet.

The critical reviews and audience reaction for Tanglewood were very favourable. It's a plotless work, and I remember from a masterclass Marriott saying that some moments in the choreography he was trying to evoke images of Margo Fonteyn('s Aurora?). Darcey Bussell, Leanne Benjamin and Martin Harvey danced the first night and I remember Sarah Lamb being in the frame somewhere too.

Some images here
http://www.ballet.co.uk/gallery/jr_rb_lavalse_mixedbill_1105

I was watching MacMillan's Requiem at the ROH last night and was thinking how much I'd like to see Gloria again too in spite of the fact that it's only just been on. First cast for that was Alina Cojocaru, Carlos Acosta, Thiago Soares, Laura Morera, and second cast was Sarah Lamb, Edward Watson, Gary Avis...and I'm struggling to remember who the girl was, I'll have to look it up! But it's a powerful piece and both were fantastic - I imagine it'll be a similar cast for the tour.

I have followed your advice Leigh and have my cancelable backup(got a slightly better rate than I thought with my AAA membership) and will try priceline/hotwire to get a better deal.

Tanglewood got good reviews in London. Did you get tickets for the mixed bill and Beauty? That's what I did.

Starr - now that you have a backup, remember to be patient with Priceline. At this point you can bid every 24 hours. Make a decision about what zones you want to stay in and your bidding ceiling and stick to it - if you must compromise, do it much closer to the actual dates.

OK, enough hotel bidding - if you have a specific question, it's easiest to email me

I want to go to Boston for the May program (Les Noces, etc) and if you think hotel rates are insane in DC, try Boston. Just vile.

Is Cambridge an option?

Thanks, all, for the input! Sounds like we better eat a good dinner before the mixed bill show and prepare ourselves for a night with lotsa good dancing. Yum! And, Starr, I'm sending you a PM.

You can buy tickets, without becoming a member, at the Kennedy Center website - you have to open an account there but it doesn't cost anything to do that. The website (just google Kennedy Center) is pretty easy to navigate.

Thanks so much for all your help! I did it- booked the hotel and got the tickets tonight!

When I tried earlier on the KC website, I couldn't find The Royal Ballet listed, but tonight, I figured it out! I am beyond excited, and I can't wait to see my mom's face when I surprise her with the tickets....this is a dream come true.

did you enjoy mcmillan's gloria? i don't know very much about the ballet myself but am very interested. where did you see it performed? i do know that it is set during wwI, but is there any other story behind it?

I've been keeping an eye on Kobborg's website, and he's finally listed some info on his USA performances in June. The website says that he & Cojocaru will dance Manon (in Boston) on the 16th, which agrees with the press release from the Wang. It also says that they will dance in Sleeping Beauty at KenCen on 6/22.

http://www.kobborg.co.uk/diary/cal.html

I expected them to dance the first performance of Sleeping Beauty, but it's nice to have confirmation. Now if only the RB & KenCen would get together and give us casting for the other major roles (Lilac Fairy, Bluebird, Princess Florine, etc) and the rest of the engagement. Come on, Kennedy Center!!!!

BINGO! I hit that one right...

Thanks for the info, nysusan.

Hooray! Not entirely unexpected to have Cojocaru/Kobborg on opening night, as they are first cast in London as well.

Now, as for the others..... at least we know which casts will be rotated (see the Royal Ballet's web site here), its just a matter of *when* they might be performing. In London they have 5 casts, and in DC we will have 5 performances. I hope we will at least see Marianela Nunez and Sarah Lamb's Auroras.

Not surprising Cojocaru and Kobborg got first night at all In the last RB Sleeping Beauty run (the Makarova version) I think Lilac Fairies and Carabosses weren't announced by the RB until very late though, certainly not the Bluebirds until the actual night I asked at an insight day once and they don't tend to finalise dates of secondary casts until a few weeks before the run, so for SB in London next month I too am waiting with bated breath. Cojocaru and Kobborg danced Bluebird pdd last time. And Bethany Keating and Steven McRae danced it in a gala, so I have crossed fingers they'll all be cast this time too.

Here's the London casting for the mixed bill from earlier this season.


La Valse

Marianela Nuñez, Isabel Mcmeekan, Deirdre Chapman, David Makhateli, David Pickering, Gary Avis

Gillian Revie, Lauren Cuthbertson, Vanessa Palmer, Yohei Sasaki, Tom Whitehead, Joshua Tuifua



Tanglewood

Leanne Benjamin, Martin Harvey, Darcey Bussell

Leanne Benjamin, Martin Harvey, Marianela Nunez


Gloria

Alina Cojocaru, Carlos Acosta, Thiago Soares

Sarah Lamb, Edward Watson, Gary Avis

Not sure this is of use for summer ballet dates at the Ken Cen - but I just got a 1/2 off offer for a Washington hotel - http://hotels.travelzoo.com/washington-dc-hotels/238172

The casting is up!

Tuesday, June 20 at 7:30 p.m.: 2 hrs., 42 min.
La Valse (Ashton/Ravel) – 13 min.
(Ansanelli, McMeekan, Chapman, Makhateli, Pickering, Avis)
Pause – 4 min.
Tanglewood (Marriott/Rorem) – 24 min.
(Benjamin, Nuñez, Harvey)
Intermission – 30 min.
Enigma Variations (Ashton/Elgar) – 34 min.
(Saunders, Yanowsky, Watson, Marquez)
Intermission – 30 min.
Gloria (MacMillan/Poulenc) – 27 min.
(Cojocaru, Soares, Acosta)

Wednesday, June 21 at 7:30 p.m.: 2 hrs., 42 min.
La Valse (Ashton/Ravel) – 13 min.
(Ansanelli, McMeekan, Chapman, Makhateli, Pickering, Avis)
Pause – 4 min.
Tanglewood (Marriott/Rorem) – 24 min.
(Benjamin, Nuñez, Harvey)
Intermission – 30 min.
Enigma Variations (Ashton/Elgar) – 34 min.
(Saunders, Yanowsky, Cervera, Keating)
Intermission – 30 min.
Gloria (MacMillan/Poulenc) – 27 min.
(Lamb, Avis, Watson)

Thursday, June 22 at 7:30 p.m.: 2 hrs., 55 min.
The Sleeping Beauty (Petipa/Tchaikovsky)
Princess Aurora: Cojocaru
Prince Florimund: Kobborg
PROLOGUE – 34 min.
Intermission – 20 min.
ACT ONE – 29 min.
Intermission – 20 min.
ACT TWO – 31 min.
Pause – 1 min.
ACT THREE – 40 min.

Friday, June 23 at 7:30 p.m.: 2 hrs., 55 min.
The Sleeping Beauty (Petipa/Tchaikovsky)
Princess Aurora: Marquez
Prince Florimund: Bonelli

Saturday, June 24 at 1:30 p.m.: 2 hrs., 55 min.
The Sleeping Beauty (Petipa/Tchaikovsky)
Princess Aurora: Lamb
Prince Florimund: Samodurov

Saturday, June 24 at 7:30 p.m.: 2 hrs., 55 min.
The Sleeping Beauty (Petipa/Tchaikovsky)
Princess Aurora: Nuñez
Prince Florimund: Soares

Sunday, June 25 at 1:30 p.m.
The Sleeping Beauty (Petipa/Tchaikovsky)
Princess Aurora: Cojocaru
Prince Florimund: Kobborg

http://www.kennedy-center.org/calendar/ind...ent&event=BGBSI

Argh, just deployed the "no harm in calling and asking for the same or similar rates" strategy for weekday dates in June, and it was a no go! But thank you, Leigh, for letting us know!

and whoo-hoo on that casting! We are very happy campers with much to look forward to!