NYCB: Ratmansky’s The Naked King is not satire, but good fun

David Gabriel, KJ Takahashi and Daniel Ulbricht in Alexei Ratmansky's The Naked King

Andrew Veyette, Preston Chamblee, Owen Flacke, Peter Walker and Jules Maybie in The Naked King

Miriam Miller and Peter Walker in Alexei Ratmansky’s The Naked King

Sara Mearns and Tyler Angle in Christopher Wheeldon's This Bitter Earth

Roman Mejia and Tiler Peck in Justin Peck's Dig the Say

New York City Ballet in Justin Peck's Everywhere We Go

By Ivy Lin, 08 February 2026

Loading, please wait...

See full listing

“Sara Mearns absolutely wrings every bit of pathos possible from this piece”

Reviewed at Lincoln Center: David H Koch Theater, New York City on 7 February 2026

The Naked King (Alexei Ratmansky)

This Bitter Earth (Christopher Wheeldon)

Everywhere We Go (Justin Peck)

Dig the Say (Dance) (Justin Peck)

New York City Ballet

Marc Happel, Costume Designer

Mark Stanley, Lighting Designer

New York City Ballet Orchestra

Contemporary escapism at New York City Ballet

Carla Escoda, 1st May

A longtime NYCB fan favorite, Concerto DSCH by Alexei Ratmansky, meets the New York premiere of Christopher Wheeldon's Continuum. But the evening belonged to corps dancer Ruby Lister in Edwaard Liang’s Distant Cries.

****1

American Ballet Theatre's double bill is short and sweet in New York

Ivy Lin, 15th March

American Ballet Theatre presents Balanchine's Raymonda: Grand Pas Hongrois and Ratmansky's Firebird which showcases the company well and provides a strong contrast.

****1

A spectacular triple bill lifts ABT’s spring season in New York

Leigh Donlan, 13th March

A finely curated triple bill from American Ballet Theatre included works from Balanchine, Jiří Kylián and Alexei Ratmansky.

****1

NYCB: Balanchine + Ratmansky program warms the audience

Ivy Lin, 20th January

NYCB has a winning triple bill with its Balanchine + Ratmansky program. Excellent dancing and contrasting works sends the audience home in buoyant mood.

*****

Dutch National Ballet's opener in New York: meandering and unfocused

Ivy Lin, 20th November

Dutch National Ballet returning to New York after more than 40 years should have been thrilling. The opening program, whilst beautifully danced, was somewhat muted.

***11

London City Ballet at the Linbury: joy and sorrow at its best

Deborah Weiss, 19th November

London City Ballet move into a new venue with absolute confidence and gravitas in a quadruple bill that says everything about their future and success.

*****

More reviews...

Ivy Lin

Ivy Lin's love of ballet began in high school when at the school dance she quickly realized she had two left feet. One always admires things one cannot do, and so Ivy began to attend dance performances to marvel at the grace and beauty of bodies in motion. Ivy's day job is a biology teacher and after a long day in the classroom she loves to unwind by watching dance. She also enjoys theater, opera, pop and classical music. Ivy has her own blog (www.humbledandoverwhelmed,blogspot.com)

NYCB: Ratmansky’s The Naked King may not be satire, but it’s jolly good fun