Josette

It sounds like this co-commission will finally bring to Los Angeles's dense population a much-needed Nutcracker by a professional ballet company. ABT performs Ratmansky's Nutcracker in Orange County, which is about 40 miles away from downtown Los Angeles, and which is too far for anyone but a die-hard balletomane to want to drive, particularly in the evening. I suspect there will be little overlap in the two productions' dates as well. Whenever The Los Angeles Music Center has brought in a Nutcracker - in the last 10 years I am only aware of the Mariinsky and the Joffrey at the Music Center- it has been sold out. Joffrey even added a performance because it sold out. It is crazy that Los Angeles Music Center does not have a yearly, money-making Nutcracker. This is great news for Los Angeles to have Balanchine's Nutcracker in town. Interesting also is that Los Angeles Opera's next season includes doing a co-production with the Joffrey of Gluck's Orphee et Euridice, with John Neumeier as director and choreographer. I have not seen Balanchine's Nutcracker live, so I am looking forward to seeing several performances. I can't wait to see the Christmas tree grow. That is my favorite part in the SFB Helgi Tomasson version. Magical.

Drew: agree.

I have the feeling that the Whipped Cream costumes and decor are going to keep me off sweets for a month.

What wonderful news! Congratulations to Hugo Marchand!

I'm going Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday evening; three casts in Orange County. I am missing Gillian Murphy because on Saturday I am going up to San Francisco to see the matinee of SFB's Balanchine program (Violin Concerto, Prodigal Son, Diamonds).

I'd love to see Wei Wang as the prodigal son.

Sylve is the Queen of dancers.

I attended the final Frankenstein on Feb. 26, managing to get a front-row seat, so I could watch faces. I have reservations about parts of the ballet, which have been commented on elsewhere: mainly about Scarlett's choreography for groups being his weak spot; the first act had a scene with the medical students that went on too long and the following scene in a tavern could be cut, please. Once we got through the tavern scene, which seemed like a lot of clutter, things picked up. The pas de deux were choreographically the high points. But I was there for the performances and was very happy with everyone. SFB does not do many obvious narrative ballets such as the McMillan ballets, so it was terrific to see the dancers succeed so convincingly as expressive dance/actors. My personal favorites were Julia Rowe as Justine and Wei Wang as the Creature. Rowe, who always stands out for the quality of her movement, delivered a performance of great poignancy. I had hoped to see Taras Domitro as the Creature, but Wei Wang, from the moment he began breathing when he came to life, floored me. His Creature was grotesque on the surface, but his dancing was so extraordinarily graceful, his port de bras and hands so without tension, and his line so fluid and beautiful, that his Creature was the opposite of monstrous. Because of his expressivity, for me, his Creature was someone gentle, craving love desperately, and no one could see who he really was - making his rejection all the more tragic. Max Cauthorn, who has been with the company for two or three years, was also exceptional for his concentration and his partnering skills; he did not for a moment look like a junior member of the company. Lauren Strongin had a lovely vulnerability; she is a beautiful, finished dancer with better port de bras and classical line than the majority of the female dancers in the company.

I've seen Sylve, Zahorian, Yuan Yuan Tan, and Van Patten in Diamonds (also Julia Diana years ago). We know that Sasha de Sola was rehearsing Diamonds, but with Kochetkova also doing it, that means five ballerinas for Diamonds, which seems unlikely. I've seen Vanessa in Violin Concerto. I'm seeing the Balanchine matinee on March 18 - a break from going to Ratmanksy/ABT's Whipped Cream in O.C. Glad to hear that Sylve and Di Lanno were impressive at the Canada All-Star Ballet Gala. She is world-class.

NBoC principal McGee Maddox will be taking over the role of Jerry Mulligan for the North American tour of An American in Paris, beginning in mid-April. He will be with the show in Toronto on March 27 through April 29, 2018. Congratulations, McGee!

Does anyone know what theatre Jewels will be performed in? Thank you.

sf herminator, thanks so much for that link. I saw Sarah Van Patten in Diamonds several years ago and she was breathtaking. And it's a relief to see that Karapetyan is rehearsing, given his upcoming retirement.

Pherank, I saw Aaron Robison during the Nutcracker run, and was impressed with his strong technique, engaging presence, and virile, expressive dancing. He will be a particular asset to the company, particularly with Karapetyan's retirement.

I am attending the final performance, Feb. 26th Sunday matinee, with Max Cauthorn, Lauren Strongin, and Wei Wang as the Creature.

I so enjoy reading your comments, Ashton Fan, and hope that you keep them coming. Thank you!

Thank you for posting your impressions, hernando's hideaway!

I am seriously considering September-October when the opera is doing Pelleas et Melisande and the ballet is dancing Jewels.

Oh, volcanohunter, thanks for the U.S. tour news in 2018. I'm so excited about this!

I saw Lorena Feijoo dance one of the most glorious, heartfelt Giselles that I had ever seen about five years ago - such beautiful, expressive arms and hands. I loved her also as the lead in Raymonda Act III and she was unforgettable in Liam Scarlett's Hummingbird. She is a generous, musical ballerina who is very much loved. It is another season where we are seeing several beloved dancers retire (i.e., Vanessa Zahorian and Davit Karapetyan). A mutual friend introduced me to Lorena and Vitor Luiz several years ago and she had such a kind and loving soul, switching the conversation away from herself.

I found Chudin's dancing exemplary and that he was a true danseur noble.

I just checked the casting and Mathilde Froustey is not dancing in any of the ballets she was listed in. Instead, Lauren Strongin is dancing in Seven Sonatas, and Koto Ishihara in Fragile Vessels.

Terez, the proposal was a particular thrill because I was sitting next to someone who knew it was going to happen and he told me before the performance started. Vanessa was caught unawares. I will never forget the delighted cries of the audience when Davit knelt on one knee in front of her and everyone realized what was happening. PeggyTulle, I too am glad that it was announced now, before their last season is underway.

Really, no one can replace Karapetyan. He is perfect. But I saw newly hired principal dancer Aaron Robison in The Nutcracker and was impressed with his ardency, beautiful technique, expressive quality, and his love of performing. He fills the stage. Robison danced with Sasha, who was pouring out happiness in the Grand pas de deux. I also saw Lauren Strongin dance the Snow pas de deux in the last show, and she was channeling Vivien Leigh while dancing with beautiful delicacy and classical lines you seldom see in the U.S. Jen Stahl had, for me, a new assurance in the classical Snow pas de deux and she is moving beyond the soloist stage. The entire company looked invigorated in the last three evening Nutcrackers I saw. Best of all were Vanessa and Taras Domitro in the Grand pas de deux, which was on another level from the outstanding dancers due to the relaxed ease of their brilliant technique; plus they had a complicity performing together which was infectious for the audience.

Well, I am very unhappy about this and blindsided. I also received that email. I have loved watching the beautiful Vanessa Zahorian since seeing her in Allegro Brilliante many years ago, and I was torn apart, twice, seeing her with her husband, Davit Karapetyan, in Onegin. I would have loved to see her in The Sleeping Beauty. She completely masks a bravura technique with exquisite lyricism. And Davit Karapetyan is one of the very best male dancers on stage. Hats off to them for leaving the stage at this point in their careers. I was in the audience when he proposed to her after Romeo and Juliet. I do hope that Davit recovers from his recent injury to dance this season. Vanessa is dancing in the premiere of Myles Thatcher's new ballet in April and I will be there. Lucky Pennsylvania Ballet Academy. All the best to these two exemplary dance-artists and lovely, generous people.

Benjamin Millepied is there. I saw Natalie Portman on the red carpet and he was at her side, letting her have the spotlight. They are sitting at a front table, facing stage right.