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Because 15 is better than 12? If we could go back to the 14th century, it wouldn't matter as much to people, but these days, most people find the implications troubling.

PM me the Kim Olivier post, PeggyTulle. I've noticed the weird censoring of Mathilde's GPD costume. I've definitely seen other principals post photos of one costume or another. Perhaps the photos were mainly of the Snow Queen costume? Is there a restriction on the GPD costume specifically? I don't know. Effecting only Drew Altizer photos? Not sure. Of the "big three" US companies, SFB always seems to be the one most hampered by unspecified rules and regulations. This is a whole other level of weirdness. I haven't heard of any such issue with NYCB and their Balanchine and Robbins costumes. ABT I'm just not sure about, but it would all be specific to the production and whoever owns rights to the parts of the ballet (including costume designs).

Frances Chung: Last Nutcracker ✔️ 4 months postpartum Only possible because of Joseph Walsh and Felipe Diaz

4 performances - good for you, Josette. Are you going to the Friday and Saturday performances? Grand Pas de Deux with Sofiane Sylve and Tiit Helimets, and Misa Kuranaga and Angelo Greco?

I don't think it's going to make much difference in anyone's career, except perhaps for director Hooper's. Things just move so fast these days in the entertainment business, and there are many more acting venues today than there were during the "golden" days of Hollywood. Failing on, say, an HBO series doesn't mean there can't be success on the Apple TV+ network, Netflix, or on Broadway, etc.

Governor Newsom and his family attended an SFB Nutcracker performance: https://www.instagram.com/p/B6b4HMmjhju/

Thanks much for the review, PeggyR. The inevitable problem with Nutcracker is that, with something like 30 shows, no one is dancing their heart out unless it's a Corps member who gets one chance to do a role. Mostly everyone on stage (and in the pit) is just trying to get though it without injury or mishap. There's few things worse than getting sidelined before the regular season even starts. I'm glad to hear that Frantziskonis is back and looking strong. I believe she's been dealing with a chronic injury this past year. Aaron Robison is still in recovery. I haven't heard anything more about the costumes - why the flower costumes didn't get updated after all. One of those insider secrets.

Nutcracker By the Numbers (with pictures) https://sfballet.blog/2019/nutcracker-by-the-numbers/ 18 Pounds of fabric in the wind-up ballerina’s tutu 19 Soldiers (plus the Nutcracker) battle 11 mice (plus the King of the Mice) 30 Feet to the top of the Stahlbaums’ Christmas tree after it grows 65 Members of the Nutcracker orchestra 600 Pounds of snow falls (in each performance!) 1,200+ Pointe shoes used during Nutcracker season 3,700+ Hours volunteers [volunteered ?] by SF Ballet BRAVO members during each Nutcracker season 30,500+ Free Nutcracker tickets distributed through SF Ballet’s Children’s Enchantment Fund, since 1992. And more on Nutcracker's Heaviest Tutu (including a short video of Natasha Sheehan dancing in her this tutu) https://sfballet.blog/2019/nutcrackers-heaviest-tutu

Thanks, PeggyTulle. The SFB Blog has added this post to the above list: Helgi Tomasson’s 2004 Nutcracker https://sfballet.blog/2019/helgi-tomassons-2004-nutcracker/

The Beat writes, "Cats is the worst thing that has happened to cats since dogs." The NYT writer's opening is pretty funny too: Every Musical Number in ‘Cats,’ Ranked from ‘Huh?’ to ‘What???’ Is this an actual article, or merely one journalist’s attempt to reconnect the pieces of his broken brain after seeing ‘Cats’? Yes.

Worth a look: SFB's blog has postings about previous Nutcracker versions at SFB - Lew Christensen’s 1954 Nutcracker https://sfballet.blog/2019/lew-christensens-1954-nutcracker/ Lew Christensen’s 1967 Nutcracker https://sfballet.blog/2019/lew-christensens-1967-nutcracker/ The 1986 Christensen/Tomasson Nutcracker https://sfballet.blog/2019/the-1986-christensen-tomasson-nutcracker/ A Clara Reunion: https://sfballet.blog/2019/a-clara-reunion/ Maybe someone can identify a number of these former Clara's (from 1972 to 2018)? I see Elizabeth Powell in the last row.

SFB's Instagram "link in bio" is currently not pointing to the correct place, but these links are found at the end of the introductory text on an Instagram page: San Francisco Ballet 75th Anniversary Nutcracker, Dec 11-29 #Nutcracker75 Opening Night Gala, January 16 2020 Season Jan 21–May 10 linkin.bio/sfballet 25 years for Yuan Yuan is really impressive. ;) It will be sad to lose Vitor Luiz.

A posting by Vanessa Zahorian: "I can’t even begin to express my sadness and heartbreak of hearing about Elyse Borne’s passing. A great George Balanchine Trustee, friend, mentor, ballet mistress, coach, sister, mother etc... It has shocked my body. Brought out all of the memories we had together. I met her back when I first joined San Francisco Ballet at the young age of 18 years old. She taught me many of the great Balanchine master pieces. She saw me at my best and worst. Helped me through good and bad times personally and professionally. She was humorous and positive and always found the good in any situation. Nothing was negative. I tried to help her also when she was feeling down during her illness. She would ask for my advice. I knew that I needed to give back to her with what she gave to me. She helped me to feel confident in all of the principal roles I danced and to feel beautiful and that I knew the count I needed to be on. During 911, I was with her in this photo when we were in Barcelona and decided to go explore outside of the city to the sea by train. That is when we were having lunch altogether and found out about the planes hitting the twin towers and we were in shock together like it was a horror film that wasn’t true. We felt scared together being in a foreign country so far from home. I have dresses she gave to me because we were similar in size. I remember her saying, “I cant eat that I will get fat but all I ever want to eat are potato chips and red wine.” She always was a toothpick but thought she was fat. She told me when she found out about her cancer that she didn't want to give up her work that she wanted to die in the studio working. She lived for setting Balanchine Ballets all over the world and that she did. She touched so many dancers and colleagues lives that will forever be imprinted in our minds. RIP Elyse. I love you so much forever! I will always remember you counting out loud when I was dancing! You always knew your counts. Rubies lead, Tarantella, Agon, Symphony and C, Symphony and 3 movements, western symphony, stars and stripes, theme and variations, emeralds pas de trois, 4 temperaments, who cares to name a few I worked with Elyse on Balanchine’s rep." https://www.instagram.com/p/B6Ke0vQgSMw/ And one by Frances Chung: I will miss your wit, your style and your unwavering support. I am most sad because you only got to meet Forest while he was still in my belly. I hope to do you proud always. -your asian daughter❤️ https://www.instagram.com/p/B6Lrq6oAmJQ/

And she was one of the busiest Balanchine répétiteurs. Mathilde Froustey just posted a personal tribute: "Elyse, Thank you for everything you taught me, thank you for pushing me to jump higher, dance faster and turn better. Thank you for making me laugh so much. Now you are gone I can’t stop myself from thinking that I should have ask you more details, repeat more time this step, have you tell more anecdotes and just spend more time with you. I will remember all my life when I was struggling with this role and instead of having me doing again and again you told me to take my pointe shoes off and put me in front of the television watching an old version from NYCity Ballet. For 2 hours !!! I’ll miss you Elyse." https://www.instagram.com/p/B6J4Hppn4jM/

This made me laugh: Super partners? And this one for the saying on Natasha's Hair Tie tin:

Joe Walsh and Frances Chung looking ready for Nutcracker : https://www.instagram.com/p/B6Btw6MAGMP/

Have a great time, PeggyR. I'd like to hear how Frantziskonis is dancing. I'm hoping to see her in a few roles in 2020...

Cavan Conley and Julia Rowe strikes me as a good pairing. I hadn't thought of that one before. I'd be interested to hear from forum members in the audience about any of the cast pairings...

A number of SFB dancers working out with Lisa Giannone at The Garage: https://www.instagram.com/p/B3Hy9z7AyOU/ And Misa Kuranaga and Angelo Greco putting on some moves at The Garage: https://www.instagram.com/p/B5ydwRPHjgp/

Sasha De Sola and Tiit Helimets guested in The Nutcracker in San Jose. I thought this was a nice tribute from Sasha: "Dancing with Tiit Helimets is like riding in Rolls Royce cars ... You know it’s going to be luxury." [video] https://www.instagram.com/p/B5v6uJXnlRp/

It's great that both Chung and Van Patten are making appearances. Toi toi toi. Looks like Norika Matsuyama is being pushed forward. Still no sign of Vladislav Kozlov. He remains the invisible dancer. Maybe in the last half of the month? Or perhaps he gets to spend December at home in Russia.

Yuri Possokhov remains busy - he's created a one-act ballet, Gabrille Chanel, for Svetlana Zakharova (performed at The London Coliseum, London). The reports I've read seem to say that the ballet is typically Possokhov - impressive visuals, divided into various vignettes, but foregoing an obvious overarching narrative.

SFB honors Ballet Masters Betsy Erickson & Anita Paciotti: Congratulations to Betsy Erickson & Anita Paciotti These two talented ballet masters were recently recognized as Christensen Society Honorees! As we head into the 75th anniversary Nutcracker next week, SF Ballet is deeply grateful to both artists (and their more than 75 years of combined experience!) for their talent, dedication and contribution. [VIDEO] https://www.instagram.com/p/B5jDGqQFbun/

SFB announcement: Flowers will be in the wings next week, ready to waltz into Nutcracker! 🌸 As part of our countdown to the 75th anniversary of SF Ballet’s Nutcracker, we’re giving away the book "The Nutcracker Comes to America: How Three Ballet-Loving Brothers Created a Holiday Tradition," by Chris Barton. To enter, comment with your favorite ballet book 📚 before Monday at midnight. Link in bio for details. https://www.instagram.com/p/B5jE12NF_Ex/

There are a few actual Kung-fu martial arts stances used in the choreography, and that fits with what goes on at the Chinese New Year parade (lots of local martial arts studios participate in the parade). That may be "cliche" but it's real life.