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Can't wait! I loved the show (several times) and I adore Meryl Streep! PS - Just got back from NYC - SOUTH PACIFIC and THE LITTLE MERMAID - both great! Also saw ABT School/ABT II show.

Had to watch this solo (Paris Opera DVD) today. Why do I love it so much?

Mr. Giordano, Gus, was a sweet, sweet soul. I'm proud to have gotten to know him over the past twelve years. His brilliant company is in capable hands with his daughter Nan.

Unless things have changed since we last spoke - Riff's girlfriend - Julienne Kepley, my gorgeous Joffrey girl (incredible Square Dance lead) sings "Somewhere". This apparently has only been done by a hired singer in the pit up until now.

VIVA MARION!

McKechnie did the National Tour so as a young kid I had the pleasure of seeing her on stage at Dade County Auditorium. Portions of her solo are still very clear to me. Julie Wilson took on the Stritch role and George Chakiris played Bobby. Just about two years ago I got to choreograph the dances for Tandy Cronin in an original production at the Victory Gardens Theatre in Chicago. Ms. Cronin played Amy in the National Tour of COMPANY. I wanted to mention that I really like Esparza's interpretation of "Marry Me A Little".

Unfortunately I only saw Patti LuPone's GYPSY at Ravinia. Although that production did little for me, Patti was excellent. I enjoyed THE APPLE TREE a lot due to Chenoweth's performance and COMPANY bored the daylights out of me. Doyle's SWEENEY sent me over the moon so COMPANY was a huge let down. The production was so lifeless I'm still wondering if the characters were all supposed to be ghosts. PS - I wish they had taped GREY GARDENS.

Finally purchased the DVD. I like the production (sets are the best since the originals in my opinion). The dancing is incredible though I was surprised to find the corps work not always as clean as I would have expected from what I hear about The Paris Opera. I also for some reason had believed up until now that every dancer would have perfect feet in The Paris Opera. That being said I think the company is fantastic. The soloists and principals are extraordinary. I love this ballet very, very much and I'm pleased to be able to have such a good production on DVD to view as often as I wish!

Since the Friar's irresponsible actions are very much to blame in the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, I for one loved this telling of his story. And - the choreographic passages and performances of the acolytes and Laurence were mesmerizing. Nothing was tiresome. Quite the contrary!

I'm am extremely thankful to have been there for this very special opening night. Gorgeous choreography, sets, costumes, lighting and performances - Noelani Pantastico and Lucien Postlewaite were perfection. What artistry in two so young! I admired the performances of gorgeous Louise Nadeau (Lady Capulet), frightening Olivier Wevers (Friar Laurence), ruffian Jonathan Porretta (Mercutio), beaming and acrobatic Benjamin Griffiths (Benvolio), gigantic Casey Herd (Tybalt), striking and unforgettable Jodie Thomas (The Nurse) and 2 times gorgeous Maria Chapman (Rosalind). Through the generosity of my boss and Mr. Boal I got to watch PNB school classes all day Wednesday, more classes (including company class) on Thursday and then Romeo et Juliette Thursday evening. PNB and Jean-Christophe Maillot's Romeo et Juliette seem to be a perfect match. Porretta in conversation with Boal after the performance talked about how this work stretched the artists of PNB. Mr. Boal said that Maillot having seen many dancers in the role of Mercutio thought that in Porretta he may have found the best. Mr. Porretta's mother was in attendance as Mr. Boal said having commuted in from the east coast. At the post performance Q & A Peter Boal said that he had seen the ballet at City Center when he was in his twenties and that it remains in the top ten theatre experiences of his life. I thank him for sharing this art!

Bart - I adore MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS and don't give a damn about the wrong history. I watch it often. I would love to get my hands on the soundtrack. What about the operas? Maria Stuarda Anna Boleyna Sorry for my spelling. Anyone seen any of the operas?

Though I have nothing against Blanchett, Robson, Worth and Mirren (kind of love Mirren), Glenda Jackson is my favorite Elizabeth I. I just adore ELIZABETH R. How about Mary Stuart? Katherine Hepurn? Vanessa Redgrave? Vivian Pickles? Barbara Fynn? or Samantha Morton?

I think the 1st book was very negative but her 2nd book 'The Shape of Love' was extremely inspiring. I consider myself quite fortunate to have been living in NYC during her glory days. She was divine. I also had the good fortune of being invited to her apt for breakfast to discuss GISELLE last April. She seems to be in quite a good place. She was able to answer many of my questions very easily and clearly. I really floated the rest of the day.

Thank you. My Tanny is completely graceful and beautiful!

http://www.onetruemedia.com/otm_site/view_...tm_medium=image

Forgiven dirac. We can't all agree all the time. I knew very little about Piaf before I saw the film so I'm sure that made it easier for me to enjoy the story. I do wonder if seeing this film on DVD as opposed to the big screen with big sound makes a difference. Just reading your review reminded me of everything I loved about the picture and I got goose bumps. It's still one of my favorites and I can't wait to see it again.

Thank you sz for your honest review. How wonderful that you got to see the originals! I so wish I had seen Villella live in Rubies. Based on my long history as an audience member of NYCB your review sounds correct. I can't believe a whole year has gone by since I saw NYCB in 'Sleeping Beauty'. I found the company to be very interesting with as you say a lot of potential. Back in the 70s and 80s when I lived in New York I had a good friend who made it possible for me to see the company several times per week.

I bet they were on fire tonight! It must be such a pleasure to dance JEWELS after so many Nutcracker performances. I first saw JEWELS in 1975 - Mazzo/Martins in Diamonds and Clifford/Leland in Rubies. It's truly one of my all time favorite ballets. I always loved watching Stephanie Saland in gorgeous Act I - Emeralds. Her dancing never failed to hypnotize me. I moved to Manhattan at 17 so although I knew her I never got to see Violette in Emeralds. I do have a studio portrait of her in Emeralds that she gave me on my desk at work.

I originally thought it should have a Halloween opening but I'm glad it opened on Christmas. It's the perfect anti Nutcracker entertainment. I'm seeing it again this afternoon.

I'm so sorry dirac, often when I enjoy art I can't put into words what makes me love it. It's not about picking it apart for me. When I saw the miraculous Doyle version of Sweeney I walked down the aisle to my seat in the O'Neil and from just looking at the front curtain I knew I was in for a magical evening. I never felt the seat underneath me that night and when Mano sang and went on to play the violin for "Not While I'm Around", I almost sobbed. Like Leveaux's revival of NINE and Doyle's revival of Sweeney, Burton's SWEENEY took extremely familiar material and transported me to a whole new world. I'm anxious to see it again once Nutcracker is over.

BLOODY GOOD! Nothing I want to criticize. It just has me gushing!

Tim Burton 's SWEENEY TODD has been nominated for four Golden Globes - Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Director and Best Film.

I know that Len Cariou was an extremely gifted talent with great training but maybe Sondheim did not want that for the silver screen. I would venture to believe it so in light of the casting of Depp and Carter. I'll never forget Sondheim's trusted collaborator Paul Geminiani coaching Sally Ann Howes to approach the role of Desire (for New York City Opera) from a non singing point of view.

This may sound weird but I think the original production of Sweeney Todd influenced me to decide that I loved New York. I saw it in previews and in the run. I wore out my LP, saw the Patti LuPone concert and last year the incredible Doyle Broadway production. I'm very glad the film is receiving good notices. I can't think of a better Christmas gift to myself this year except maybe a second Italian Greyhound.

My first 'Dying Swan' was Lydia Diaz-Cruz in Miami. There was a yearly event at Dade County Auditorium called "Ballet Spectacular" - an evening of pas de deux and solos featuring guest artists. (Margot Fonteyn did the Balcony Pas de Deux from Romeo and Juliet one year) Lydia Diaz-Cruz very much resembled Marcia Haydee but she was extremely thin. Her port de bras was so beautiful she always brought the house down and an encore was demanded every time. I know Lydia danced with National Ballet of Washington but I don't know much more about her. I recall the Gelsey television version and will never forget the rehearsal clip where the camera caught Liza Minnelli breathing a huge sigh at Gelsey's completion of the solo. But I always think of Ms Diaz-Cruz when I hear the words dying swan.