Josette

Thank you, Helene and canbelto.

Helene, out of curiosity, I was wondering the source for your post. Is it "Avid Reader?"

ABT should contact Aaron Robison of English National Ballet. Aaron is tall, charismatic, unique, and has a beautiful technique.

Cubanmiamiboy, I was happy to read your comment about the tree. I have not seen the NYC production live and have heard wonderful things about the tree, including your comments about Balanchine. I go every year to San Francisco Ballet's Nutcracker and I am thrilled like a child when the tree grows - it is utterly magical and I even noted that the lights on the tree last season were different but still very beautiful. I can't wait to see it next week, four times. It is an incredible moment. I saw two performances of Miami City Ballet's Nutcracker two weekends ago and was waiting for the tree to grow, but the effect totally fizzled out. It was a bad, uninformed choice by the set designers and, as you say, "cheap looking." I agree with you completely. A major disappointment. I also have to mention that the majority of the dancers gave emotionally wan performances in the Saturday matinee (Dewdrop Jennifer Lauren and Frau Lauren Fadely were exceptions). Generally, they seemed to be mentally elsewhere and disengaged in giving anything you could call a performance, though the steps were executed very accurately. I was sitting in the front row and could only wonder whether some of the dancers think that we in the audience do not look at their faces. This is not the Miami City Ballet I knew under Villella. The Sunday performance I saw had more vitality from everyone - it was their last performance in L.A. before flying back to Miami, so perhaps their enthusiasm to get back home worked to pick up their collective energy level.

Thanks for letting me know, AB's Mom! I certainly have no complaints about seeing Sarah Lane. Also looking forward to seeing your daughter. I am in the front row.

Yet there are hearsay exceptions that are admissible in court. Additionally, hearsay is not a valid objection to refrain from responding to a question in deposition, interrogatories, or other forms of discovery, as the response may lead to the discovery of admissible evidence.

As described, it's assault and battery.

I just received an email from SFB, stating that, due to public demand, they are adding a performance of The Sleeping Beauty on Friday, February 2, 2018, available for the general public to purchase tomorrow, Dec. 8, 2018. Apparently donors and subscribers have about 10 hours before the general public to purchase tickets for the added performance. That makes 11 performances. There are still dates open on which other performances can be added.

Thanks, pherank.

I love knowing that your daughter is Clara!

I'm only going once to the Ratmansky Nutcracker this year, and mainly to watch the adorable children, but I happily chose the Sunday matinee Hee Seo-Cory Stearns performance. I've seen all the female principals but Copeland, whom I do not find interesting or distinctive as a performer or dancer. I am also seeing two performances of Miami City Ballet's premiere run of Balanchine's Nutcracker in L.A., which includes dates when ABT is performing in Orange County. I wish Miami City would post their casting.

Sob.

SFB sent out an email today about adding an evening Nutcracker on Friday, Dec. 29, 2017, available to the general public tomorrow.

I am not a subscriber. The last time I attempted a subscriber package, there was an insane extra charge, so I balked. It was the price of an extra ticket. As a Friend, I am supposed to get a free dress rehearsal. When I log in, the SFB site already recognizes me as a Friend. I am seeing Nijinsky twice and hope to get a third show in so I can see all casts. I hope for two more performances of Sleeping Beauty, program B of the new works, and two of the Robbins performances.

I was in the Friends category of being able to buy singles before Nov. 16 and could not find the way to do it. So I gave up, plus am super-busy at work, and bought tickets for most of what I wanted today. I could not find a ticket I wanted for the Robbins series or for Unbound B, but, inevitably, subscribers start to exchange their tickets for other shows after the holidays and good single tickets become available. I got Sleeping Beauty for the last weekend shows on Saturday-Sunday and I expect and hope that SFB will add one or two Sleeping Beauty performances on Feb. 1 and/or 2, 2018, as I would love to see as many casts as possible. SFB has added performances in the past for Swan Lake and Cinderella when the tickets were selling well.

What a shame.

Totally delightful!

Madison was chosen by choreographer Akram Khan to dance for several performances the lead in his Giselle, which was a huge honor and responsibility. I am looking forward to seeing her again on stage in SF. I selfishly wish that Aaron were still at SFB for another year because I found him exhilarating on stage. He has a beautiful, finished technique and a spontaneous quality. I wouldn't doubt for a moment what you state as to his being happy to be back in England.

In the past few months, Aaron Robison has danced Song of the Earth and Romeo to Jurgita Dronina's Juliet in Nureyev's Romeo and Juliet in his first season with the English National Ballet. He seems to have found his right place.

That smile of Asylmuratova when she ends her fouettes is so adorable that you just have to love her.

Well, how could anyone not love Diego Cruz?

We've had the Mikhailovsky twice in Orange County and I don't think they are at the level you would hope for at the Lincoln Center Festival. When POB was announced, I was going to go for the entire week in Chicago and then a long weekend in NY as my vacation this year. Without any hesitation, I would fly to NY or anywhere in North America to see Akram Khan's Giselle. I hope Tamara Rojo gets your thought-message, Drew!

I was so looking forward to seeing Ludmila Pagliero in La Sylphide.

Silvermash, I just learned that the USA tour cancellation is reported by Philippe Noisette in Les Echos.

Two questions remain: Is POB touring to Dallas and Chicago, as was heard? What major ballet company will take over the slot In the Lincoln Center Festival? Quel dommage.