seattle_dancer

I think Drew is talking about Ceci as well. She is standing behind Steven Loch wearing a white t-shirt and gray pants when on the first side. Looks like green leo with dark blue long sleeved tee and pink tights over leo. I saw her in a studio rehearsal the year she joined there were a lot of new Corp dancers but she definitely stood out. She is my favorite Coffee in Balanchine’s Nutcracker because her interpretation is the most true to the music. Some dancers show more flexibility or jump higher, but that does not convey the music and feeling to me. I had to work during the livestream and still haven’t had a chance to watch it all the way through. I’ve taken a few peeks though. My curiosity was piqued by this post!

Friday, April 19, 2019 – 8:00 pmThe Little Mermaid: Yuan Yuan TanPrince / Edvard: Aaron RobisonPoet / Hans Christian Andersen: Ulrik BirkkjaerPrincess / Henriette: Sasha De SolaSea Witch: Wei Wang Thanks for posting everybody! I just looked yesterday to no avail. So glad I didn't give away my ticket. This is my dream cast!!!

Do you mean the Rats? Nicoline Sansouci: Jolina Javier Esme Pruneau: Polly Baird Chantal Brett: Lyrica Woodruff Ondine Gigot: Jasmine Ward Here's a link for cast and bios: https://www.5thavenue.org/show/marie/#meet-the-cast-and-learn-more

Not to sound snarky, but the press release states that Foster will dance Silent Ghost. I agree it’s logical After the Rain is programmed for her. Press release also confirms Porretta will dance title role of Prodigal Son. My guess is that he will dance Rassemblement since that is listed as one of his lead roles on his online PNB bio. I have no idea what those two might dance in T&V, maybe nothing at all so they can be rested for their featured pieces. Maybe I’m reading too much into it but the announcement says the line up “includes” rather than something like “will be” so I wonder if something else might be added? I thought Foster’s statement about her leaving and giving others opportunities for roles was really heartfelt and classy. I don’t recall any of her predecessors saying anything like that. Nothing against them, just makes her all the more special.

Article from Seattle Times discussing the 5th Avenue Theater's involvement and collaboration. Note dress rehearsal photo with Esme character wearing orange legwarmers. So nice to see the details in the costumes. https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/theater/can-seattles-5th-avenue-theatre-score-another-hit-with-broadway-bound-new-musical-marie-dancing-still/ I was introduced to Susan Stroman through a PNB friend on Friday and she said they had already made a few tweaks. Sitting in the balcony, I saw a whole different perspective. Lighting is used on the floor, and most importantly, it uniquely painted pictures on the backdrops and scenery, most effectively when the second act opens and different vignettes of dancers travel across downstage left to right, in different colors of costumes, the paintings change to coordinate with the costumes. I love how they used technology to enhance the period piece and not make it flashy. From the mezzanine you can see all of the gold frame around the entire opening to the stage. During Marie's audition, when Degas is singing about her posing, there is blue light that shines through two arched windows and onto the stage. I don't know if that was one of the tweaks, or if I was just too low in the orchestra to see it the first time. Also, in the final number, when Marie encounters all the different people in the show, her dance with Philippe seemed longer than the first time I saw it, and there was a section with dramatic red light and two large shadows behind them. I thought the section with Philippe was unusually long for the relationship they had versus her love interest Christian, but I suppose it's because the David Elder who played Philippe has more dancing skills than Kyle Harris who played Christian. I do really like Kyle Harris' voice and had his voice and song in my head all day the next day. Also the second time around, I left with the more positive themes in the show, sisterly love, compassion, kindness, friendship, and also themes about artists, their identity, their need to do what they need to do and how they feel when they can't do it anymore.

For the third and fourth videos above, you'll have to click the white bars in the upper left hand corner and choose the correct video from the playlist. I tried to set it up so you didn't have to do that, but I couldn't figure it out. Amateur, I know. 😢

sf_herminator has inspired me! Hopefully all my inserts come out okay. For all those who are thinking of going or who can't make it yet...you know who you are. 🤫 Another video with a variety of excerpts from the show: Rehearsal of opening number, C'est Le Ballet, with original cast in 2014: Rehearsal of "In Between" with Degas and Marie: Rebecca Luker (Adult Marie) sings" Looking Back at Myself": It struck me how much Louise Pitre (Adult Marie in current production) looks like an older version of Tiler Peck while I was watching the show. She appears at 1:00 and on in the first video. I remembered that watching these videos of Rebecca Luker as Adult Marie, although maybe she changed her hair color for the show. Louise Pitre's voice is quite a bit lower also, I liked it very much. I have a ticket for Friday. Excited to see it again from the mezzanine this time. Can't think of a better way to end the work-week!

So my take on this show is that it is not a feel-good musical, it is thought provoking and contains many sad themes, I suppose one could say achingly beautiful. It manages to end on a high note, but I did shed a few tears. The music is not one of the high points of the show, as sandik mentioned, but not all musicals can be all things. I do feel it is extremely unique in that it breathes life into the famous art of Degas and provides a lens into the history, culture, and society of Paris in the 1880s, and it made me want to learn more. I wish I had seen the original production to compare. I didn't know how much stage time Tiler Peck would have. She is on most of the show, it seemed, and it ends with a lengthy number with her as the centerpiece. The next two weekends she has four shows, two per day. Wow! About two weeks in previews and just over a week in the official run. Here is a video with some interviews and rehearsal footage: https://www.broadwayworld.com/videoplay/BWW-TV-Tiler-Peck-Terrence-Mann-More-Pirouette-Into-Rehearsals-for-MARIE-DANCING-STILL--Meet-the-Company-20190307 I was impressed by Tiler's acting and singing. She was so so charming. Fortunately, I had a ticket front row audience-right (20% discount with Passport Card and half off fees), stage left is where a lot of action happens in her family's "apartment". So I could see all the expressions on her face and use of her eyes. The cast was actually quite small and the supporting cast were reused in multiple roles, I found that quite impressive as well. All of the main characters, were great - singing and acting. Shout out to Terrance Mann as Degas, Adult Marie played by Louise Pitre and Noelle Hogan who played Charlotte, Marie's younger sister. Noelle is quite an authentic little actress (not overdone) and a talented dancer! I saw in an old review there was something about a maze of mirrors? That does not exist anymore. Tiler only tied her pointe shoes twice I believe. And the orange legwarmers are still part of the show. They are worn by Esme, the rat/corp dancer who comes from a rich family. I have a ticket for the closing show April 14th with a friend who couldn't come this past weekend. Then I had an invitation to come yet another time and I was waiting until after I saw the first show to see if it was worth seeing a third time. I definitely would like to see it a third time and am curious to see what changes are made during the previews. After your viewing, the theater sends a code to see the show again for 50% off a day-of purchase, so if I have the time, a fourth may be in the works. Here's an article from the Seattle Times. Be sure to watch the embedded video with more interviews and rehearsal footage. One part describes how the creators plan to obtain feedback from the audience here to shape the show. https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/theater/marie-dancing-still-at-5th-avenue-theatre-is-a-rarity-a-ballet-musical/ If anyone wants to come to Seattle to see Marie, the closing weekend is a good time, you could also see A Midsummer's Night Dream at Pacific Northwest Ballet April 12th or 13th. https://www.pnb.org/season/midsummer/ Dress rehearsal is April 11th open to public for $30, includes pre-rehearsal lecture/discussion with the one and only Doug Fullington and costume shop manager Larae Thiege Hascall.

I went to the show Sat eve and loved it! Judging by the immediate standing-o in the orchestra, so did others. I used to live in Manhattan and have seen a few Broadway shows, and this is by far the most visually beautiful show I’ve ever seen - costumes, sets, and of course dancing. It did not feel long to me, I was sitting in awe of every moment, feeling so lucky to have this show (and with Tiler Peck 😍) five miles from my house. When I walked out I told my friend I was surprised how late it was. We also discussed related books we might want to read, as the show is quite thought provoking. I’ll post a few more thoughts after work tonight. I just received an email from the theater and remembered I should post something here.

I went first weekend but I was not feeling well so not in the best shape to observe and take in dance. The Neenan piece was by far my favorite, but I was pretty much sure that would be the case since I attended the Friday preview. I *love* that Oliver Davis music (and I already knew that I don't love that of Sufjan Stevens). In Bacchus, of course it's always great to see my regular standouts, but James Moore has a solo that shows off his unique movement quality and we haven't seen much of him for a long time so I really enjoyed it. There was a teaser of Seth Orza's power toward the end, but it was way too short. Margaret Mullin was in a duet with Elizabeth Murphy. In the post-show Q&A it was mentioned she had had hip surgery. I saw her as SPF and Marzipan in Nutcracker which looked to be her first roles fully back dancing. But she danced a ton in this show, in the Neenan and especially in the Peck. Her role in the Peck was far more fierce than anything I've seen her do before, and I've always admired her clean and precise technique, so am excited to see where she goes from here now that she seems fully recovered. The Williams, didn't really hold my attention. Perhaps because I didn't feel well, or maybe because it is a intimate piece more suited to a smaller theater. I also in general do not like words overlaying dance unless it's a song I really enjoy, it inhibits my ability to create my own personal impression. The way the vocalist was amplified also made it difficult to discern the words. The Peck piece had some amazing choreography in some sections for sure, but I care for the cutesy stuff, and I already commented that the music is not my favorite. I also felt like the production was hard on the eyes. The starkness of the costumes, which are mainly black and white with the main dancers accented with these horrible combination of stripes of turquoise, red and yellow. The costumes contrasted with the background, which was black. The first duet is with Margaret Mullin and Lucient Postelwaite. There is a snippet posted on FB so I was looking forward to it. Well, as the Director Notes mentioned, this row of headlights emerged, but they were SO bright and behind the dancers, they were in semi-sihouette. And from where I was sitting they were shining right in my eyes. Later the headlights were dimmed and raised thank goodness. To me, a lot of the Peck pieces look like the same formula, just rearranged. I know I am in the minority, just my opinion. Most people are raving about In the Countenance of Kings. Of the three Peck pieces in the PNB rep, I do really like Debonair. It's quite different than his other stuff, especially the costumes. I'll be back this weekend to see both casts and with fresh eyes so I may have different observations and opinions then. Oh, and I'll be sitting in different places.

Re: Program 1 Agon is timed with the one year anniversary of the passing of Arthur Mitchell. I hope PNB will have audience education and tributes to his life and career. Re: Program 5 Giselle. It’s about time!!! I’ve been waiting and waiting for five years; next year it will be six! How come no mention of how many performances like Cinderella? I guess they don’t know yet. 😕

I’ve only seen excerpts of multiple ballets in a studio presentation at Barnard College (NYC) quite a few years ago. They did have costumes and a few props, which I enjoyed seeing so close. I’d love to see the entire ballet someday. When watching NBC I don’t have the same expectations I do of a western ballet company, as I believe it is their goal to blend eastern and western cultures. I’d be curious how the emotional themes in this ballet came out compared to the movie. It seems it would be much harder to communicate through ballet.

Angelica Generosa’s debut Thursday evening was PHENOMENAL!!! She displayed so many little touches to make her version distinctly her own, on top of dancing all that ridiculously difficult choreography. If you didn’t know it was her debut in the role, you would have thought she had danced it many times. Thursdays are usually quieter nights but it was a pretty full house and the audience was wild with appreciation and gave her a standing ovation at the end. Kudos to all her dukes and her prince Seth Orza. She didn’t apppear nervous, but I’m sure all these men assisted in calming her nerves and helping her shine. I always look forward to Seth’s solos as well, especially his manèges. His seem the most powerful and have the most momentum. I am excited to return Saturday evening and take it all in again!

Ah, now I see what my friend was raving about! PNB posted a video of Angelica Generosa dancing Princess Florine on FB. I believe it is from a dress rehearsal since you can hear a man talking early on. https://www.facebook.com/PNBallet/videos/346734766178143/ It is a very unique (to my eyes) interpretation, I just love it! I have watched it at least a handful of times in the last hour. Her overall phrasing, use of upper body, arms, timing of balances, and facial expressions really make it so special. I'm so glad I bought a ticket earlier today just to see her. I did that after the website still listed her dancing Florine Friday evening and it was updated to have her Bluebird be Christian Poppe instead of Ben Griffiths (get well soon!). As a bonus I also get to see Elle Macy debut in the pas de trois and of course Rachel Foster and Kyle Davis in the Wedding pdd. I think I am only seeing Act III so I don't mean to disrespect any other dancers. I am so excited to see AG debut as Princess Aurora tomorrow evening! I have seen her dance the Fairy of Joy three times in the last week and it ends in an arabesque balance which she sticks every time. It's like a preview for her big debut.

Leta Biasucci was exquisite in the 2/2 evening show. Her opening solo was very precise and quick, all her dancing spot on. In each act she played the character spot on as well. I even heard a lot of laughs when Aurora reacted to the news she was getting married, more male than female IIRC. I love that bit of dancing PNB posted on FB, it’s right before Carabosse presents Aurora with the spindle. I’m sorry not to see Sarah Ricard Orza but I am also excited to see Angelica Generosa’s debut. I also heard rave reviews about AG’s Florine at the dress rehearsal, so I hope she will still dance that role second Friday. Her Bluebird listed is Ben Griffiths, but opening night he was substituted by Kyle Davis. I really like Kyle Davis, but I was really missing Ben during Nutcracker. I didn’t see him cast for much, and only caught him in one Candy Cane after Christmas.

Ha ha, now no one has to choose! Many congrats to Elle and Dylan!!! And it was super nice of Peter Boal to allow us the photo opportunity and that he quickly left the stage and let the two of them take a bow together just the two of them. I saw Elle as Fairy of Generosity last night at the dress rehearsal and tonight at the opening. She was so delightful and charming, it’s like her body is singing and has it’s own voice complementary to the music. I noticed Dylan was the last duke in the Rose Adagio who supported Aurora (Lesley Rausch tonight) in the pirouettes. Last night at the panel before the dress rehearsal, Lesley said that particular duke had to be someone the lead principal felt very comfortable with, so that is pretty neat Dylan was her choice. And according to the PNB website, that was his first time in the role.

Everyone is distinct and wonderful and in different places in their careers. If you have time, I would see them all. Here are my thoughts/perspectives: Sat matinee: Biasucci/Postelwaite. Her second time in the role, the first time she was in the Corp. Big year for her, on the cover of dance magazine, two fellow dancers who choreographed for the main company chose her to be in the leading role. These two had opening night honors for Nutcracker. I saw then their second Nut, they looked very natural together. Lucien is a big draw himself as well. He was away at Ballet de Monte Carlo for about 5 years, and gives very polished performances with big little extras. Sat evening: Generosa/Orza. First time in role. Angelica has incredible balance. She is naturally always on her leg. All around such strong technique (SAB trained). She has the chops, will be exciting to see her take on the acting part of a story ballet. I don’t recall seeing her partnered with Orza before. Tonight at the dress rehearsal panel discussion when asked about the Wedding pdd fish dives she said « I just go for it ». Tonight Lesley Rausch said we should go see her, and raved about how good she is. Also I think it says something positive she was given Saturday evening show, and also a subscription show. She is also cast as Fairy of Joy, Gold/Silver pdt, and Princess Florine. Busy work for a Soloist! Sun matinée: Rausch/Tisserand. This is Lesley’s third time in the role, It may be the most nuanced. On PNB’s FB there is a video of her describing the mental aspects of rehearsals. These two have a lot of experience dancing together, but not this ballet before, but definitely this is the most mature partnership. Lesley’s artistry has grown so much since she became a principal in 2011. Lately I have been snatching up tickets when she is dancing because I am afraid she might be pregnant or retire soon. She is so in her prime and just keeps becoming more fantastic (not sure how that’s possible) so selfishly hope none of those events are on the horizon. Good luck making your choices!!!

Yes thank you so much Helene! Did Doug elaborate on why Tchaikovsky’s music wasn’t always completely comfortable for Petipa? Was the event well attended? I wish they did not hold it on a holiday weekend for so many of us. I would have gone if I were in town.

I LOVED Cacti!!! It was like being on a ride at an amusement park - full of surprises and not knowing what was going to happen next but pretty sure it was going to be really fun! And make you laugh! Kyle’s piece I need to see again to fully digest. There is a lot packed in there. It is very interesting and I found the choreography pretty dense. I was tired and not feeling well when I went, so I’m looking forward to seeing it again next weekend when I am fresh. The Angela Sterling photos on the PNB FB page are so striking!

Thank you so much FPF!!! I had given up hope of seeing Mayerling in cinema. You have totally made my day!

Greetings from Seattle! I’ve met some nice people from National Ballet of Canada and hear they will be touring to Russia in the next year. Also they are getting the Winters Tale set back from Royal Ballet. Please keep us posted on this wonderful company. Thank you!

So glad we can watch the rehearsal for 30 more days but it’s kind of cruel that it ends right before Laura Tisserand’s first solo. Her performance throughout was SO enchanting!! I absolutely loved her in that role and the way she used her eyes was just *magical*. If PNB has any rehearsal footage of Laura, could you please post it on FB? It’s just not fair...

So cool to see Patricia Barker speaking on behalf RNZB! Her content and presentation was really well done. It was great to see Francia Russell honored as well. The segment was not long but definitely impactful.

Hooray for Larae!!! A very nice tribute indeed!!! Last night there was a Male Solos présentation in the PNB studios. Larae was there and I thought Peter Boal said she would be going with the group when they present the same program at the Guggenheim in October. The three dancers were not in costume, but maybe they will be in NYC. So if you have a ticket to that event, maybe you will see her.