PeggyTulle

Looks like BB is double casting Odette and Odille for a few shows... 

https://www.bostonballet.org/Home/The-Company/Dancers/2021-2022-Season-Casting/Swan-Lake-Casting

Rojo is still dancing??? Is this her last hurrah? I don't think Hernandez ever showed up on SF this season...

No Balanchine in the entire 2023 season??? 

The bakery on Hayes at Gough? It closed many years ago. There are a few cafes along Hayes, though (like La Boulangerie). And there are lots of great restaurants in the area still. Souvla, Monsieur Benjamin, Chez Maman, Absinthe, Doppio Zero, BAIA (vegan), Project Juice... 

Whelp. Madison's experience highlights the emotional rollercoaster of professional ballet. I don't want to dwell on the downs too much (at least not within this specific post) except to say that I am grateful for her performances whether they have been contractually required corps or more prominent lead roles. She shines brightly wherever she is, and her dancing has always moved me in ways that I cannot quite put into words. May her transition from SF to NYC be exciting and prosperous! 

@Dancingdemon👏👏👏

The one big takeaway I have is separate from ASL. It's that Ratmansky delivered the recast in a way that, for most dancers, would be seen as body shaming. And if I was considering him as an AD, this would be one reason to potentially reconsider (assuming it's a company that wants to present a more contemporary body-positive image)... 

Hey, if my brother decided to probation my birthday party, I would be pretty pissed! I think it's a good example of the personal relationship they had (or didn't have) separate from NYCB. 

Let's not argue Fauci here because even he has said while we're not in the pandemic phase, the pandemic is still ongoing. But the article reads like Whelan was referring to company class last year or earlier in the pandemic, not now. 

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/dr-fauci-on-why-the-u-s-is-out-of-the-pandemic-phase-2

I'll also add that two SF Ballet dancers were vocal on IG last week about being pulled from featured roles in "Swan Lake" last minute because they were told they weren't good enough. And these are two leaving/retiring dancers who have for quite a long time posted videos of their stunning (and still lovely) dancing. The politics at play in casting decisions, even as your career is waning... it sounds like it's an emotional rollercoaster that could be handled with more grace and respect. 

There is so much in this article that troubles me, especially with regard to the logical fallacies like Abi didn't attend company class during the pandemic (btw, we're still in one and many dancers didn't attend in-person class throughout the pandemic) so she wasn't in shape, that being given "opportunities" equated to being cast appropriate with a principal title ("opportunities" could be literally anything: a big swan, a Nutcracker mouse, you name it), and the inference that if you love something else (here: law), then you shouldn't be considered for lead roles and you shouldn't care how you're cast (my paraphrasing). I would imagine being told (via text, no less) that you were being pulled because "the men were struggling" would feel incredibly demeaning, especially if this was meant to be your good-bye performance. In a world that centers on body image, this just screams a giant F U to mental health, kindness, and trying to do better. 

Madison Keesler posted over the weekend that she danced her final show with SF Ballet. Her other performances were unexpectedly recast. I've greatly enjoyed her dancing over the years, and while I'm bummed about her shortened Swan Lake run (which seems odd since I had friends at her one show who said she and Megan Amanda were quite lovely), I truly hope that she finds wonderful opportunities in New York. She lights up a stage and always shares her passion with the audience. Cheers to you, Madison, if you're reading this! Thank you for sharing your gifts with us SF folx.

Looks like Madison is done with her SW run...

https://instagram.com/stories/madisonkeesler/2828374115705127521?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=

Madison Keesler and Megan Amanda Ehrlich both posted on their IG stories this week about negative feedback in the pas de trois rehearsal (same trio), and Megan posted today that today's pdt is now her only one. Madison and Amanda are no longer scheduled for May 4th. I know casting is always subject to change, but for two dancers who are retiring/leaving, this has to be heartbreaking. 

https://instagram.com/stories/rairydoll/2827958738951138457?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=

On 4/27/2022 at 3:54 PM, Phrenchphry11 said:

So I was just at the public dress rehearsal this afternoon, and I noticed the swans weren't wearing the feathered caps, but instead were wearing the more traditional-looking headpieces.  Does anyone know if SFB is doing away with the feathered caps?  I kind of liked those!!

I like the caps, too! They're were dune cap fitting posts a few weeks ago, but this week, dancers have been posting on IG with the more traditional headpieces. Seems like the caps are retired along with Tomasson.

https://instagram.com/stories/sashadesola/2826739289036295672?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=

https://instagram.com/stories/sashadesola/2826739635561218354?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=

https://instagram.com/stories/ellen.rose.hummel/2826705081028782314?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=

Wona Park and Wei Wang are scheduled for May 1st mat and May 4th.

Sunday, May 1, 2:00 PM

Odette-Odile: Wona Park

Prince Siegfried: Wei Wang

Von Rothbart: Nathaniel Remez

Pas de Trois: Olivia Brothers, Leili Rackow, Joshua Jack Price

Tuesday, May 3, 7:30 PM

Odette-Odile: Sasha De Sola

Prince Siegfried: Max Cauthorn

Von Rothbart: Tiit Helimets

Pas de Trois: Isabella DeVivo, Julia Rowe, Esteban Hernandez

Wednesday, May 4, 7:30 PM

Odette-Odile: Wona Park

Prince Siegfried: Wei Wang

Von Rothbart: Nathaniel Remez

Pas de Trois: Megan Amanda Ehrlich, Madison Keesler, Lucas Erni

And another one: Megan Amanda Ehrlich 😭

https://www.instagram.com/p/CcehgXtLyW9/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Well, guess that shouldn't be too surprising, considering the new AD's track record... but I also feel like McKay didn't dance a lot when he was here...? So maybe this is for the best. 

Madison has implied in comments and IG stories that she is moving to NYC.

https://instagram.com/stories/madisonkeesler/2817264404771223452?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=

And here's another (shocking, in my opinion) departure: Ben Freemantle

https://www.instagram.com/p/CcYhWIGv6EQ/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Oooh. Who else???

Madison Keesler is BA lurker🤣

https://instagram.com/stories/madisonkeesler/2816054432682769527?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=

Yes, McKay seemed to put a big focus on traveling, guesting, and doing his own thing. Didn't quite seem to have SFB as his main focus. I'm curious, too, about Fogo and some of the other dancers. Hopefully they'll stick around for the initial Rojo era and see what's to come.

Huh. His run with SFB was fairly anti-climactic. 

Hmmm, no Mathilde again...?