23 replies to this topic

[BalletNut]

Here is a thread for everyone to discuss the SFB Nutcracker performances this year, and to share our impressions of this year's run of Nutcrackers.

If you've seen a performance of The Nutcracker this year, please tell us what you thought. It's always interesting to read everybody's different takes on the same ballet. Even if you haven't written many "reviews," we'd all love to know what you thought about this year's performances.

Happy Nut Season!  

[BalletNut]

Bump.

I'm finding it hard to believe that I'm the only Ballet Talker who's seeing Nut this year...please don't be shy about sharing your opinions! (I promise I'll review it when I see it, but that won't be until after Christmas, as that's the performance I have tickets for.)

[sfshaza]

Yes, I have also been watching for reviews.  I saw it yesterday, with Juan Boada performing as Prince.  I've never seen him perform before and I thought he was amazing.  I'm not a qualified person to do a real review, but I am now a huge fan of Boada!  :-)

Sharon

[BalletNut]

There's no such thing as "unqualified" when it comes to writing reviews about ballet. Did you see it? Do you have an opinion? Can you string together words in a sentence or two? Then you're more than qualified!  

By the way, I'm a huge fan of Boada myself. Who else was in the cast for that performance, and what did you think of them?

[bart]

BalletNut, on Dec 12 2005, 05:10 PM, said:

There's no such thing as "unqualified" when it comes to writing reviews about ballet. Did you see it? Do you have an opinion? Can you string together words in a sentence or two? Then you're more than qualified! 

Thanks, balletnut.   I really enjoy reviews from BalletTalkers.  They help me "see" performances I can't attend.  The more the merrier.    

[oberon]

I'm totally unqualified to write a ballet review, but anyone is qualified to share their impressions of a ballet performance, so go ahead and write about what you saw & heard at the performance and how it moved you...or didn't, as the case may be.

[sfshaza]

Well, it was a great show.  Everyone danced beautifully (Kristin Long was Grand Pas) and Nutnaree (looong last name) was Snow Queen.  But Boada was something special.  I love this production and was definitely moved.  

The doll's crown fell off in the party scene, so there was a bit of excitement.  Drosselmeyer rushed to pick it up and the party-goers spent time admiring it, which was a good save.  :-)  Two of the merletons had trouble with their ribbons.  Those ribbons - I saw some real problems with them last year, so I always cringe when those are in play.  Must be a real nightmare for the dancers.

I love the Spanish dance, but it's so SHORT!

Maybe one day I'll learn how to view a dancer's performance with a more critical eye.  But they all look great to me!

Sharon

[BalletNut]

Thanks for writing that, sfshaza!  

It's always interesting when there's a mishap on stage and the dancers have to improvise or "save." I remember one time in Othello when a dancer's hat fell off and someone kicked it into the wings...

Any more Nutcracker reports? We'd all love to hear about the performance(s) you've been seeing!  

[balletchic101]

"I love the Spanish dance, but it's so SHORT!"

Who did you see perform the Spanish divertissment?  I heard that its terrific in the new Tomassan version.  And the Russian, any opinion on that?

[sfshaza]

You guys aren't going to let me off the hook, are you?  ;-)

OK, when I saw Joan Boada perform the Prince, the Spanish piece was performed by:

Maureen Choi, Frances Chung, Garen Scribner, Rory Hohenstein and Jonathan Mangosing.  

Someone (who is Cuban) said to me that those Asian woman have the heart of the Spanish dancer and, it's true, they embody the spirit of the piece.   I also love the beautiful costumes.

I also saw Vanessa Zahorian perform the Grand Pas Friday.  Yowza.  She is such an effortless dancer.  I love watching her.

Sharon

P.S. Oh, I forgot to address your question about the Russian piece.  It seems to me that it's the same piece as the old production.  The costumes are new and it's still a great piece - a real audience favorite.  But I don't think it was changed much.  (Probably because it was such an audience favorite.)  Of course the stage entrance is now much more dramatic and exciting.  :-)

P.P.S. Yes, I just noticed this in the program:
Choreography of the Russian divertissement by Anatole Vilzak.

Which makes me suspect it's the same choreography as before.  Can anyone confirm that?

Sharon

[Francis Timlin]

You are correct -- Russian is the single holdover from the last Lew Christensen production.

[BalletNut]

Thank you for clarifying. I'm glad Tomasson kept it, it's a great piece of choreography, and in the old production it was always my favorite divertissement.

[Paul Parish]

Hey guys,

I agree, the Russian dance is incredibly exciting. I hear, though I haven't seen him do it, that Hansuke Yamamoto is the best -- Has anybody seen him? I've seen Pascal Molat and Garrett Anderson as the boy in the middle, and both were fantastic.

I've held off posting, since I was going to write something for Danceviewtimes and needed to keep  that clear... It's out now, here's the link, wonder what you'll think

http://www.danceview...12/sfbnuts.html
The new Estonian dancer was remarkable -- a little like Vadim, in  a way, soft, dreamy, princely.

One thing that struck me when I saw it again from standing room was how much better the projections looked from back there-- Act 2 looked wonderful from all the way back, the color saturations were much more intense and set off the dancing more beautifully than from the seats much closer, where -- maybe? -- ambient stage light washed them out.

I haven't heard much mention of Nutnaree Pipit-Suksun; I thought she was fantastic in Arabian, which is such a tangle of limbs that it takes some doing for her to make her lines show.... Have any of you seen her?

[Helene]

Paul Parish, on Dec 20 2005, 11:32 AM, said:

I've held off posting, since I was going to write something for Danceviewtimes and needed to keep  that clear... It's out now, here's the link, wonder what you'll think

http://www.danceview...2/sfbnuts.html

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Quote

When it doesn't work, Tomasson's "Nutcracker" breaks into pieces.

Paul Parish, you old devil, you -- what a perfect sentence on so many levels!  Your description of Friday night's performance tempts me to schedule a trip for next season.  

I cannot wait to see Tiit Helimets; I wonder what he'll be cast in in the upcoming repertory season.  Siegfried?  Faun? Other Dances? Sylvia? Allegro Brilliante?

[sfshaza]

Yes yes yes!  See, I told you I couldn't do reviews!  I said that Tiit was gallant.  But your description is so much better!  He was princely and romantic.  Very much like a fairy tale sort of prince.  I hadn't thought of that.

Nice piece!

Sharon