BayStater

My experience was the opposite of Abatt's. I returned home and declared that I wish attending the ballet was always that easy: a ten-minute drive, I didn't have to dress up, chairs were big and comfy, and parking was free! There were about a dozen adults watching at our suburban multi-plex. I've never been to any of the opera films they also show there, so I don't know how today's attendance compares. It's not be the same as experiencing live music and dance, but I definitely enjoyed the production. Drew expressed many of my thoughts so well I don't have much to add. The lifts in Act II were indeed lovely. Between Smirnova's lines and Tissi's height, it really gave the impression that she was floating in air.

I was at Jacob's Pillow last summer and learned that post-pandemic they began working with a new food service/caterer. I believe that, like so many other businesses, they had a hard time hiring sufficient wait-staff, so service was sometimes slow under the tent. Even assuming it will be better this year, I would not recommend trying to squeeze in a full service dinner between shows. Plan to bring your own picnic, or buy a sandwich and a gin-and-tonic at the pub. I also have tickets for the Dutch National Ballet - looking forward to it!

Hi all, I’m a new forum member here, adding my thoughts after seeing this spring’s Sleeping Beauty. I saw two different casts, and was completely blown away by Ji Young Chae and Jeffrey Cirio in the final Sunday matinee. (Yes, we are happy that he has returned to Boston!) They both had impeccable technique, and her princess transformed through the acts from flirty to dreamy to regal and joyful. In response to the above comments, one of my pet peeves about Boston Ballet is that they do indeed post casting on their website, but only at the last possible minute. They were half-way through the first week of this run before they published the casts for week two. A bit frustrating, but it is what it is. Finally, I just want to add that I have been an occasional patron of Boston Ballet for literally decades, often limited in my youth by lack of time or money. I tried this past year to renew my commitment to the company, and I must say that I am impressed. I have no insights into Mikko Nissinen personally, but from my seat in the dress circle I have a great deal of respect for his leadership. His principal dancers are exquisite artists. The dancing of the corps is lively and clean. The company seems to embrace a wide range of dancers: tall, short, local, international, dancers of differing races, ethnicities, and personalities. This season I have seen both full-length classics and contemporary works, and the company seems to enjoy and excel at both.

Hello all, I am a long-time lurker, finally joining this fine forum. I have learned so much from following the news and commentary so generously contributed by everyone here. I’m a retired modern dancer and retired children’s ballet teacher based in New England. I’ll head over to the Boston Ballet section now to add some thoughts of my own.