soloistmom

Why is it that whenever I post something on this site....I get critiqued? Fear not..I will not return so you can bash away.

Alexandra...I want to say "thank you" for your wise advice when people are posting comments. I am Jonathan Porretta's mom and many times have felt I would like to reach out to negative crititical comments . That is precisely why I haven't frequented such sites in the past year or so. However it has been brought to my attention about the many negative comments most recently. These are all professional dancers. Each is amazing and beautiful. I was priveleged to see them perform this past Thursday night and Saturday night. They are an amazing company. I would like to let you know that I heard much buzzing...ALL POSITIVE. There was a man...quite known in the ballet world...in his 60's...from New York City, he was just gushing about PNB!! He had never seen any company perform with such feeling, precise movement and technique as PNB. I enjoy sitting back and listening to the audience comments...incognito. It has always been an experience that is POSITIVE and APPRECIATED. What a great eclectic group of fine, beautiful dancers. The energy is one of beauty and delight when you are near them! What a blessing to have the privelage and honor of knowing each individual artist! I am looking forward to the next rep with great anticipation. I will post you after the next rep!

OK I promised to fill everyone in on this past rep and I just returned from Seattle. There was a review in the Seattle Times which I feel the reviewer had to have left early... as there was no mention about the last and most awesome ballet...Fearful Symetries. There was however an excellent picture which captured the intrigue of Jonathan Porretta and Noelani Pantastico. Now let me go back to the beginning. This rep opened with Kent Stowell's ballet...QUATERNARY. With two pianos on stage and 4 couples..it was superb. I had the pleasure of seeing this entire rep 4 times and never tired. Each cast was bright and beautiful. Pleasurable to watch and the piano music a delight. This IS ballet!!! Listening to the audience positive chatter...they always enjoy Kent's ballets. He never dissapoints this audience.After a pause was the big buzz ballet...Scripted In The Body ...choregraphed by Dominique Dumais. It was well recieved as each performance had a standing ovation. Music was simply beautiful with piano and violin.Very unique with a microphone on Principal Paul Gibson speaking about the human body while dancing!! Costumes were perfect...dancers awed the crowd. I've never seen such an unusual ballet. It is so wonderful to be able to see this company perform in such diverse pieces. That is what makes this company so special...they can do it all. And that is for the ENTIRE company. From corps to Principals. the talent here is unmatched! Jardi Tancat...another favorite of Seattle....is performed in bare feet. True pure dance. Carrie Imler is just wonderful. She can transport you to a different era. And back to the finale.....FEARFUL SYMETRIES. I wish that Peter Martins was present to see his ballet performed by this company. He would have been so proud. This company created magic. You sat on the edge of your seat...eyes wide open...watching these talented beautiful bodies dart across the floor...bringing the word alive....FIERCE !!! [snip; edited by A.T.] .BRAVO !! Bravo.... to this always amazing company...The PACIFIC NORTHWEST BALLET. Where talent and technique are combined !! What a gift to experience this rep!! ---------------------- Note by A.T.: This post was edited somewhat; the poster has a connection to the company and it is our policy that that must be noted.

Thankyou Balanch !! This is 2003. We have excellent ballet companies with excellent ballet dancers. Give me a break. I don't need to know one's sexual preferences to observe a ballet performance. And I refuse to believe that being gay or straight makes the dancer. It is the art. It is the soul of the dancer...not if they are gay or straight.

I just want to take a brief moment to say THANKYOU to everyone who posts about the ballet performances. At times I am unable to see all the ballets and by reading the posts I'm there!! So Thanks to all!!

I am so excited!! I will be flying out to Seattle in 13 days!! The countdown is on for the next rep!! I will keep you posted!! I am especially interested in seeing Kent Stowell's ballet !! He is an amazing choreographer! Everything he does...I love !! I am also looking forward to Peter Martins' ballet....Fearful Symetries. I think PNB is an amazing company and this ballet clearly demonstrates the versatality of this great company. I'm counting the days.

Again as I mentioned before, I did not waste my money on puchasing and reading trash. However...I do enjoy reading all the posted comments !:eek: lol In the light of things...it is sad that the comments made were in fact made. The entire straight male dancer vs. gay ballet dancer. Who thinks of this?? Do we think of muscians as gay or straight? or any other career? What's the obsession? A male ballet dancer..that is it !! He is strong,attentive,beautiful to watch and easy to fall in love. I think that sums it up...straight or gay.I adore those male ballet dancers!!

When my son was three years old I brought him to see NYCBallet's Nutcracker. Clad in cowboy boots and eyes wide with wonder...he sat in amazement. At the end of the ballet I looked over at my now sleeping angel with a grin on his little face!!! I believe it was that very first ballet experience in his life that inspired him. He never stopped talking about how he was going to be a dancer someday!! We gave him trucks to play with and ponies to ride but he just wanted to dance!! He accomplished his dream from that day years ago...and grew into a soloist!!! I think that there are particular ballets that children should be encouraged to see...to experience.

Why waste your money on something that is obviously garbage? As for what the dancers stated... it is sad that "straight" dancers reflect they are brainless.

Thursday evening...February 6th...I attended the ballet. The anticipation was in the air. Many of the diverse audience appeared excited.No one could have been dissapointed because this company delivers the finest technique and heart from each dancers soul!! The evening began with PAQUITA. As the curtain opened...the girls were beautiful in their tutu's and tiaras. You could hear gasps as Patricia Barker made her entrance in her sparkling white tutu dazzling the audience like a brilliant diamond. Batkhurel Bold looked dashing and partnered Patricia attentively..soaring through the air...with ease and gentle landings. I'm sure he will soon be promoted to Principal !! The Pas de Trois was outstanding...all three were technical and at the same time...magical...with musicality..dancing as if Petipa had created this for them alone!! The variations too were inspiring!! Carrie Imler demonstrated her special high leaps!! Again...you heard the audience gasp and applaud!! The music is still in my head...the orchestra was wonderful.At the bow Bold held Patricia's hand and kissed it, while smiling at her...leaving the audience with a warmth and satiety. After the intermission was TCHAIKOVSKY PAS DE DEUX. Balanchine would have been very proud to see his work by these talented dancers. Jodie Thomas has that something special in all her emotions and Le Yin executes his dancing with ease. After a pause...ESMERALDA PAS DE DEUX hit the stage!! It was colorful and vibrant!! Noelani Pantastico is a doll!! She is so beautiful..it's hard to take your eyes off of her.Spirited and full of energy...her partner, Astrit Zejnati was a delight!! He not only captured the technique but the character of who he is in this ballet. Bravo to them!! This was one of my favorites!!Having Principal dancers Kaori Nakamura and Olivier Wevers STAGE this ballet...was evident in this outstanding performance!! How fortunate that this ballet company has so much talent and that they are willing to help each other to be the very best. This company always amazes me...they are all so caring!You don't always find that in companies...but here it is "natural". The evening ended with THEME AND VARIATIONS. Carrie Imler was the standout star here. She is truly amazing in her skills . Last year mid season she was promoted to Principal and when you gaze at her onstage you know why!!Jeffrey Stanton partnered her with strength and tender care for his ballerina. He is an excellent partner...knowing he is so caring makes this extremely difficult ballet appear effortless. At the end of the evening everyone must have felt that exciting glow within that I can't describe in words. So...you'll just have to go see this AMAZING company perform live!!! I'll be back out next month..I can't ever miss any rep!! Such joy...such joy!!!

I promise to give you a complete report later this evening! (when I am home from work!!) Stay tuned!! I'll be filling you in!! I'll do my best to create that exciting atmosphere of delight!!

I just arrived home in New Jersey after spending a week in Seattle. Russian Nights was fabulous. This company performs brilliantly !! I was fortunate to attend on two evenings and was thrilled each time. The choice of ballets were excellent and had the audience wanting the evening not to end!! They are all wonderful dancers..from the corp to Principals!!! In a world filled with scary happenings....the ballet gave me an escape from reality, filled with admiration, and appreciation of this wonderful art gift.

Ahhhh yes...the Forsythe Ballet indeed! He is a genious! My son has been honored to perform his works!! How amazing would his company be!!