its the mom

I am new to the Boston Ballet audience. However, the high point was discovering (at least it was a discovery for me) Larissa Ponomarenko. She is a stunning dancer, my idea of a real prima. I have also been very impressed with the depth of the company. Low point - I guess the Wang/Rockette incident would be number one. I love the company and can't wait for the next set of performances.

Wanted to revisit this issue in light of the Nutcracker. Having seen several productions done by Boston Ballet, two of which have used students, my question is this. Why do companies use students on stage when there are perfectly good corps members and second company members sitting backstage. Especially at a Friday or Saturday evening performance. I realize that in a performance like the Nutcracker, students are needed to fill the smaller rolls - angels, cherubs, reindeer, bon-bons, etc. (according to which Nut the company is doing). I also realize that students need to get performing experience. But, when I know that there are corps members or second company members not performing, and a student is dancing snow and flowers, I have trouble with that. I've paid around $80.00 a seat for a family of four several times now, and I would prefer to see the company members dance these corps roles. Despite what others say, for the most part, I can tell the difference. I can understand using them for matinee performances or possibly shows during the week. Am I being absolutely too picky? What does everyone else think?

Amy: There is a parking garage next door to the Wang and lots of parking lots around the Wang. We've never had a problem with parking even in the huge snowstorm last weekend. However, we did arrive about 1-1/2 hours ahead of time to deliver my son for his performance. But since you want to eat before the performance, you will probably be arriving early anyway. Plenty of restaurants in the area also. There's a California Pizza Kitchen, Rock Bottom, and Bennigans right up the street. Also, a small food court is available. If you'd like a bit more upscale, there's a Legal Sea Foods, Fleming's, and McCormick & Schmick's further up Stuart St. If you wanted to wait until after the show, the Wang does have concession stands offering candy, soft pretzels, cookies, brownies, etc. I hope you enjoy the show. We have loved it!

Yes, Jennifer was beautiful. But I think there are some wonderful personalities in the current Boston Ballet line-up. Michael Cusamano was an exciting Gitan (not to mention a wonderful technician) and Nelson Madrigal was adorable as Basilio. Great performances were given by Barbora Kohoutkova, Sarah Lamb, Rie Ichikawa, Miao Zong, Lorna Feijoo, Larissa Ponomarenko, Pollyanna Ribiero, Yury Yanowsky, and that's just to name a few. I feel that the company has a lot of depth - more than a few dancers with the ability to do any number of roles well. The corps performed in unison and those corps members given the chance to do soloist roles did them well. And even in the mixed rep program, there were several outstanding performances. I am excited for the rest of the year!

Don't mean to add "fuel to the fire" here, but the highest price Nutcracker tickets are $77.00. They range in price fro $19 to $77. Also, I believe BB reduced the number of shows they are doing this year considerably.

I had the chance to see two more shows this weekend after the opener. I really loved Polly Ribiero and Jose together. She is a spitfire. I also saw Larissa Ponomarenko and Nelson Madrigal. I loved them all, but I have to say I fell in love with both Larissa and Nelson. I am a new member of the Boston Ballet audience, so all of those Boston Ballet goers will think it trite. But she(Larissa) is gorgeous and she is probably at the top of my list of favorite ballerinas. Nelson was adorable and his feet are "to die for." I think the company has a lot of depth - lots of really wonderful dancers. I was pleasantly surprised. As for BBII, they danced the parts of gypsies, market women, driads, fandango, and women of Barcelona. I believe there were two girls in BBII who got to dance Bridesmaids. The boys did gypsies, fishermen, fandango and some of the acting parts. I felt the company danced well together. My daughter said that it was a wonderful first experience dancing with a professional company. Everyone was supportive and caring. So, I say congratulations to all of them. I am looking forward to the rest of the year.

Koshka - I just realized I made a mistake. Ribiero and Carreno will dance Sunday afternoon. Feijoo and Yanowsky dance Saturday evening. Ponamarenko and Madrigal are only doing one this weekend. If you can catch Feijoo, do so.

Koshka - I just found out that at the Sunday matinee Larissa and Nelson will be dancing the leads. I am not qualified to give a blow by blow description of the ballet last night, but I must say I was very impressed. Lorna Feijoo was, to sum it up, absolutely unbelievable. She was the right blend of young girl in love with just the right touch of sass. Her dancing was gorgeous. Yury Yanowsky was a perfect partner. Notable performances were given by Barbora Kohoutkova as Queen of the Dryads - beautiful and clean technique; Sarah Lamb as the Street Dancer; and Nelson Madrigal as Espada. Actually, I thought the whole company danced very well and everyone seemed to really be "in tune" with one another. Again, I am not a qualified critic, just a dancer mom, but I was really impressed to see such an opening performance. I would love to hear what others have to say.

Koshka - I'm sorry, I have misplaced the cast list my daughter gave to me. However, I do know that Lorna and Yury are dancing this evening, Jose Manuel Carreno and Polly Ribiero tomorrow evening, and Larissa Ponomarenko and Nelson Madrigal at the Saturday matinee. I can't seem to remember the other shows. Hope that helps. By the way, my daughter says that each couple is wonderful. I asked her to choose a favorite and she couldn't because she said each has particular strengths. So, this crazy mom is seeing all three.

There will always be much controversy surrounding CPYB, i.e. how much is too much, etc. However, I believe most alumni would point to the school and faculty, particularly Marcia, and credit them with the success they have had. It's certainly not for everyone, but my daughter feels the same as ballerina idol. The proof is on the wall of the warehouse.

Sylphide - Thanks for your post. Just to let you know, my daughter has already made a decision that after (and during) her dance career, she would like to dedicate herself to making ballet classes more accesible to minorities. What she doesn't want to do is have some sort of "program" introducing inner-city kids to some ballet classes (which, don't get me wrong, can be wonderful). She hasn't seen one that's successful in integrating those children into the dance school after they've gone through the "program." I don't know how she'll do it, but if I know her, she'll find a way. Right now she's trying to concentrate on making herself ready for a dance career, which in itself is alot.

Didn't Brian Reeder dance at CPYB? He's still with ABT, I believe. Also, as a side note, Leigh, Lia Cirio from that same '01 ballet is going to Boston Ballet II. She says hi.

Alliecat: Other CPYB alumni currently dancing: PNB - Carrie Imler, Noelani Pantastico, Kara Zimmerman San Francisco - Zach Hench, Vanessa Zahorian, Kristin Long, Tina LeBlanc, Sherri LeBlanc Miami - Bruce Thornton, Callie Manning ABT - Adrienne Schulte, Grant DeLong (studio co.) Boston - Tara Hench Louisville - Lara Bricker Sacramento - Janine Maher, Melanie ?? (can't think of her last name) NCDTII - Vicki Gates PA Ballet - Michael Patterson (did one year plus lots of summers at CPYB) Several others have been hired this year as apprentices and trainees.

Thanks for all of these responses. I will speak to the teacher. My point of view is not as sophisticated as everyone else's. I am merely the mom of a dancer. I know a bit about technique and artistry, but as an audience member I know what I like to see. It may be that I have minority children that forms my bias. My preference in ballet is to see someone who can dance the part well, who has beautiful lines, who draws me into their dancing. Technique is important, as is artistry. Color of skin has never been an issue for me. I can watch a black "snowflake", an asian Giselle, a Hispanic Albrecht, etc. and be satisfied, as long as he/she dances her part well. That's just me. My daughter did feel a bit hurt, but she is the kind of person who will take a statement like that and use it to prove her (the teacher) wrong. Not everyone would react that way. Thanks again.

Just curious. How far do you think we have come on this issue? My daughter (whose father is Filipino) recently took a class where the teacher was talking about not getting tans. She said that perfect ballerinas should have white skin, "like Snow White." I know there have been other threads on this issue, but I was just wondering what people thought of this issue. How far has the ballet world come concerning minorities?

Would love to hear who else will be joining the company. My daughter will be part of BBII next year.

Thanks so much. I finally was able to find a copy of the Swan Lake music I needed. Also found The Art of the Prima Ballerina, but in record form only. What a wonderful find! I'll keep in mind your offer. Thanks so much.

Solor: I am too new on Ballet Alert to send private messages. I would love to get in touch with you about some music. Any way I can do this?

Solor: Unable to send private message - too new on Ballet Alert. Would love to be able to get a copy of this from you. How can I get in touch?

Thanks Aubri. Not thinking about doing Grand Prix, but an arts award program. Will steer clear of the piece. Thanks again.

Aubri: Can you explain why the Sylvia Pas is on the imposed list at Youth Grand Prix?

Leigh: Do you happen to know anyone I can contact there? Thanks.

Wasn't sure where to post this question. I was just curious. I saw that ABT did the Sylvia pas this fall and that it also appears on the imposed list at YAGP. Is this Balanchine piece public domain?

Vagansmom, if you're interested in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, you should contact Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. Alan Hineline is resident choreographer at the School. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow was actually first set on the Youth Ballet and performed last spring here in Carlisle. Speak to Ms. Wingard, our Executive Director, if you're interested in the ballet. Also, I note you are from Connecticut, not so far from Carlisle, PA. I believe CPYB will be performing the ballet again some time in the next few years, if you can wait that long. It definitely is a great piece, but then again, we love Alan Hineline and most everything he does.

I hope this is not an inappropriate question to post here. However, I would like to find out if this information is true. I was recently talking with a dancer/choreographer from New York City about YAGP. He indicated to me that he thought ABT was withdrawing from the competition and would not be offering a Studio Company contract this year. Does anybody know if this is correct information? What does that mean to the competition?