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Another great episode, Christian - Mr. Jhung can certainly give a good talk - "oral history" is the right term.

The Nutcracker seems to be treated as a live "warmup" for the company, but somehow, not quite 'the real thing' (except for the great stage production - although I'm hearing that the tree is no longer growing in Act I, which seems like sacrilege, if true). The dancers don't take it too seriously, and Tomasson has definitely not taken the choreography too seriously. You use the term "bland", and I think that "bland" and "safe" would be pretty accurate. Maybe even dull. I wish Tomasson would take the ballet's choreography more seriously: there wouldn't be much lost by adding some intrigue and magic to the dances. He might even bring in a new audience (or get the balletomanes to return). It's time for an overhaul of the choreography.

At City Ballet and Elsewhere, In Jokes Take the Stage http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/29/arts/dance/at-city-ballet-and-elsewhere-in-jokes-take-the-stage.html

Hey, Stars, Be Nice to the Stagehands. You Might Need a Loan. http://mobile.nytimes.com/2013/12/28/arts/hey-stars-be-nice-to-the-stagehands-you-might-need-a-loan.html

Jennifer Homans has written an end-of-year memorium to Maria Tallchief for the NY Times: Maria Tallchief - The Osage dancer who took Paris by storm. http://www.nytimes.com/news/the-lives-they-lived/20132/21/mariatallchief/

Looks like quite a program, really. Wish they would dance that program here on the West Coast.

'Tis the Reason for the Season - The Nutcracker

Note: users will need to click the "Older" navigation link at the bottom of the pages to see previous pages in the archive. The 2nd part of the Korbes interview is back one page.

Do people think Renavand was a good choice? Aside form a couple of YouTube videos, I've not seen much of anything showing her dancing. I can't remember seeing anything spectacular or suprising in those videos, but it wasn't much to go on. Was this a much deserved promotion, or does it seem like the POB is rushing to fill vacancies?

Thank you for posting your review, Swanilda8 - well done.

Thanks Volcanohunter - I'm obvioulsy unfamiliar with the ENB's schedule, but 23 dates with Hamburg ballet (and on tour) would seem to keep her away from ENB for a good amount of time. Not to mention her gala appearances and other guest appearances. It's certanly true that the flight from London to Hamburg is not such a big deal though. Well this should bring some people into the War Memorial this February. "she expressed her sadness that no one had created a major ballet for her at the Royal" --it would seem that many soloists don't understand that it is rather rare to have a ballet created on you. Easier to dance one, than to create on.

Hello Naomikage - Do the seasons for ENB and Hamburg differ? Allowing Cojocaru to dance two seasons?!!

Cojocaru is supposedly with the English National Ballet these days. This comes as a suprise to me - how did she come around to working with Neumeier's company? EDIT: Looks like she's also dancing in the Hamburg Ballet's Nutcracker during December.

One of my personal favorite male actors. I'm saddened to hear the news. Wikipedia confirms my suspicion that O’Toole holds the record for most Academy Award acting nominations without a win: He received 8 Oscar nominations – for Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Becket (1964), The Lion in Winter (1968), Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1969), The Ruling Class (1972), The Stunt Man (1980), My Favorite Year (1982) and Venus (2006).

Someone like, say, Toni Bentley? I suppose they were looking for a reputable ballet authority (or would that be a ballet authority with a reputation?), who could be in New York at the necessary time. It's always hard to know just how much thought was given to the ceremony and speakers.

1st stage rehearsal of the Grand Pas de Deux in Nutcracker with SFB

The SID production team is apparently trying to raise money over the next 54 hours on Indiegogo. Watch the introductory video to find out more about the project and the project members: http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/sid-a-sci-fi-ballet-film

At least it won't be quite as cold then. ;) Maybe some people will indeed venture north from the US...

The farewell video has been posted: It's frustrating for me - I'll have no chance to see her live, unless she comes to the U.S. for special performances. And here is a nice compilation of some of her roles - Extraits Agnès Letestu Apogée d'une Etoile

Here's a nice long interview with Ms. Froustey from Danses Avec La Plume: http://www.dansesaveclaplume.com/pas-de-deux/interview-with-mathilde-froustey-the-new-principal-dancer-at-the-san-francisco-ballet/

Koto Ishihara getting to be Queen of the Snow is an interesting development.

But who else to cast -- what would be the best mix for her? Santa is demanding this year... Albrecht is a tough one: whether to choose another 'wish' performer, or go with one of the locals (perhaps Davit Karapetyan, or Tiit Helimets). Bringing Manuel Legris back to perform one-more-time! probably isn’t possible. So, Nicolas Le Riche. Damien Smith as Hilarion, and Sofiane Sylve as Myrtha, or Feijoo.

Some new links (as the others have died): Part 1 http://www.frequency.com/video/dorothee-gilbert-in-class-con-gil-isoart/89466694 Part 2 http://www.frequency.com/video/dorothee-gilbert-in-class-con-gil-isoart/89239282

SFB fans are no doubt looking forward to seeing Mathilde Froustey live on the War Memorial stage. I hope the season goes well for her, and she stays on indefinitely (though she wisely took a sabbatical from the POB). For images of, and by, Ms. Froustey, I recommend her Instagram page: http://instagram.com/mfroustey She also has a Twitter page - that she updates less frequently (and I can't blame her): https://twitter.com/MFroustey At the laundromat (SF Mission District, I believe)

A couple fun pictures of Masha, taken by Mathilde Froustey on Mount Tamalpais (southern Marin County), overlooking the San Francisco Bay Area: This one is titled "Cinderella is back!"