balletomane

I removed an external link to a review because I'm not sure I'm allowed to post it. In the inquirer today. Philly.com

Thanks posting those links.

I saw this ballet last night. I am not equipped to comment on how close this performance was to Balanchine's vision but I did see Kyra Nichols in the audience. I thought Oksana was lovely. Lillian was beautiful.I thought the corps looked very good. I thought the whole thing was georgeous. I have not experienced this ballet live before. I have only seen the full ballet on video of NYC ballet with Martins, Mazzo, Bonnefoux, Aroldengin, maybe Leland. They never took their hair down in that video. Does anyone know when the hair down was added? I've seen photos and clips with it down a lot. I really enjoyed watching Oksana and Francis' pas in Neenan's piece, Lauren and Ana were entertaining. The last ballet by Liam scarlet was captivating. I especially liked watching Amy and Ian. When watching "4 Russian girls" and "four couples" my eye was drawn to Laura Bowman. It was a good night for me and I am looking forward to seeing it again on Sunday.

I tried to quote you Fraidove but I can't figure out how to do that.

It makes sense to me now, maybe I took it too literally, I think you are right about Mr. Veyette maybe meaning just too old to start something new. (He looks young to me anyway)

Do principal dancers who can no longer perform their jobs commonly get to hold positions as like honorary members or something? If so is it with pay? I don't know anything about the inner workings of a ballet company but I would think that if they were to hold these positions with pay that would take away from spots that need to be filled, or are these dancers only paid per performance?

I ask about this because I was surprised to read in the Philly.com article when Mr. Veyette said, "I'm too old and broken to try and get a job with another company but was hoping to dance one more year." If one is too old and broken (I am not saying Mr. Veyette is old and broken, he did. I have no idea. I do not believe I have seen him dance.) Does this mean he would expect to be cast in Principal roles? or just hold a spot? When I read Ms. Moore's quote, "I am retiring from ballet because of my ankle, but I am leaving Pennsylvania Ballet because I was let go." I was equally confused. Would she have been kept on as a principal dancer even if she couldn't dance or had retired from ballet?

How does it work?

This season is the first time I have ever seen PA ballet. Most of the ballets I have seen since my childhood are from NYC Ballet or ABT. I have seen a few performances from other companies when they have been in the NY or Boston area. Although I do not know what the company was like before Mr. Corella took over, I have to say that I have been impressed with the ballets offered this season. (I did not see the performances at the Joyce). I have no ties to the current dancers or Angel Corella and I do not know any of them personally.Before I went to see Pennsylvania Ballet I had heard that Mr. Angel Corella was a new AD and that with that usually comes lots of turnover. It is sad to see anyone lose his/her job but it happens often in this business I guess, hopefully for the right reasons. Hopefully to better the company, draw more patrons and keep ballet alive. I believe the dancers were informed of their contract renewals in January.

On Mr. Veyettes Facebook post announcing his retirement back in January I was under the impression he was looking forward to having more time to focus on PAB2 as he said, "I have been blessed to find my second career while I was doing my first. This is extremely rare for a dancer and I am keenly aware of how lucky I am in that regard. As a director and teacher at PA ballet ll, I believe I have found my little life's true work...Thank you Angel Corella for giving me a life after dancing and letting that be my home!" So I was surprised to read his quotes take on a different tone in the Philly.com article.

This season in Philadelphia the PA Ballet had only two full length ballets (Nut and Don Q) and four mixed rep. Next season they will have three full lengths (Cinderella, Nut and Le Corsaire) and three mixed rep. This is the first season I have seen. I am wondering if this is a sign of change? Which is more typical for them? I am pretty sure that Angel answered a question during one of the prelude talks stating that he was going to keep the Balanchine influence, present new works, and add an extra full length. Any thoughts on this. Had they done many full lengths in the past?

According to PA ballet website:

Choreographer in resident Matthew Neenan's Keep, Trey McIntyre's The Accidental and Nicolo Fonte's Grace Action

March 29th and 30th at 7:30

March 31st, April 1st, April 2nd at 8:00pm

matinees April 2nd and 3rd at 2:00

Has anyone seen any of these? Can you tell us about them? Is anyone going?

The show was energetic and fun. I had a chance to see Mayara Pineiro and Etienne Diaz, Kathryn Manger and Peter Weil and Ana Calderon and Craig Wasserman. All three of those lead couples were fantastic. I loved the dream scene as well. It was beautiful, and I saw Kathryn and Ana play Cupid. They were a joy. My daughter saw Laura Bowman as Cupid and loved her in the role. I saw Laura as a flower girl and thought she was fantastic as well. As a matter of fact, I thought the flower girls were excellent every cast I saw. The guys were great too. Loved them in the gypsy dance. All the lead characters and those in the corps were entertaining from beginning to end. . The kids were a fun addition as well. Each time I saw the show (five times) I was amused by some new things, as there was so much going on stage. It was quite comical and the acting was fantastic..Bravo to Angel Corella and the cast of Don Q!

Just the opinion of someone who enjoys watching ballet so I won't try to get all technical about it. Also I have to agree with Kaysta, I saw ABT's Don Q I guess it was a couple of years ago, (But, I don't know for sure, time flies when your old..anyway) I loved it but I found this version much more entertaining. Maybe it was the more intimate venue that allowed me to appreciate the acting more or maybe it was just better character acting, I really can't say but when I was discussing it with my daughter she said the same thing.

Here's an interview with "the young un's" Kysta. (sorry I don't know how to do the quote thing)

http://pointemagazine.com/views/Pennsylvania-ballet-donq/

Caroline and Kaysta, Francis Veyette has announced his retirement as a dancer with The Pennsylvania Ballet. On Pennsylvania Ballet 2's facebook page someone reposted his retirement announcement which I believe was originally posted on his Facebook page. There is a nice letter from him with thank-yous etc. He will remain AD of Pa. Ballet 2 and focus on that. I believe the post was around Jan. 18th.

(This is my first time posting on this site, although I have been reading for a while. Forgive me if this is in the wrong place, or I am breaking any rules. Feel free to move it, or remove it.)