Performer: Blaine Hoven

The Dream is such a crowdpleaser that one wishes ABT would do this more often in their Met season, but Ballet Imperial needed more time to relax into. 

Alexei Ratmansky's Ancient Greek take on Bolshoi-style dram-ballets gets its New York premiere as part of American Ballet Theatre's summer season at the Met.

Perhaps ABT's disclaimer in the program notes should have simply said: "When you watch Le Corsaire, prepare to be both offended and entertained. We hope you'll be more entertained than offended."

The Seasons is overstuffed, uneven and way too busy. There are so many steps, but they rarely made me "see the music". It was a frustrating ballet, with so many lovely moments that were less than the sum of its parts.

Alas, putting two stars (Kochetkova and Cornejo) together is no guarantee of success and that was certainly the case here.

Isabella Boylston, here leading ABT's Swan Lake still has that touching vulnerability that makes her so emotionally appealing but there is now also a soaring spirit that can be thrilling.