socalgal

hi.......i just finished watching the Sat. matinee performance of "Fancy 40th" and wow! I am wondering also why it was not sold to th max as it was a memorable program with great dancing. I am going back tonight and tomorrow too! Concerto Barocco was danced like silk with beautiful musicality from all. Yes, it was well rehearsed, GWTW. And yes, my dancing daughter at PAB made a similar comment regarding 4T's sans Ms. Jennings. She felt it would have been a stronger performance with Sandy's rehearsal hand. (She has danced it before with Sandyat PAB as rehearsal ballet mistress) But I was drawn in by performances of the themes in this cast, particularly Ms. Chamberlains 3rd theme. She would not have been a likely choice for me yet her elan and expression were lovely as well as captivating. More later on 4 T's. Fancy Free was a highlight and a sheer delight to see this company dance. It is a ballet classic and well suited to this group. The guys were terrific in character and their dancing was clear and technically 'on'. As the gals, Keating and Lorenzo both did top performances with each of their characters as well as Reffner at the end (whose arms were so fluid they were mesmerizing, not to mention how gorgeous she looked!) what a great day at the ballet......if you are in any proximitiy....get a ticket now!!! There are two shows left........

I'm off to PHilly tomorrow for the "Fancy 40th" at PAB. I have been told that I have tickets for Sat mat and eve and Sun mat. Will anyone here at BA be going? It seems that many are off to see Suzanne Farrell's company in the vicinity or thereabouts. I am wondering if there is too much of a good thing going on at the same time

I agree with Tessa about Barocco casting. But I too have some preconceived notions as to how I like this ballet to be danced. Keating, Flood and Matthews will also step in to cast B replacing Gall, Cruz and Smith in the corps roles. Looking forward to seeing both casts actually.

thank you aspirant! the lady at the ticket office offered this information when we went to buy tickets. she flatly told us to wait until 5 pm and that we would get great seating. and we did just that. a good thing to know for this theatre. we enjoyed the performance and i will share latter when we return to the states. we are looking forward to pob next.......... :grinning:

yes, i wish they could post casting also. i do know who is rehearsing what... but the actual performance casts were not clear yet as of last weekend. when i go, i have to book my flight around a few days and then have the BD get tickets for the performances she is dancing. :shrug: very frustrating.

vagansmom.....thankyou for this lovely review. i was looking for a good read for a long plane ride and after reading your comments, decided this would be a great book to take with me on my trip. I had other selections, but put them aside after reading your post.......can't wait to begin this intriguing story. :jump:

Out here in the L.A. region, we just got Volochkova on the 4 o'clock news - ABC also. There were sections showing the end of Dying Swan I am assuming and a clip of D.Q. Footage of her coming out of a limo and speaking to the press. She was very contained and ofcourse elegantly dressed. I remember seeing this ballerina perform in London a few years ago with an independant group. She was very 'glamorous' and talented and yet.......hummmmmm. This show was definitely built around her stardom ..... Did anyone else see this event?

:huepfen: Oh my goodness.....the steam was rolling off my TV.....Sorry, but this guy has the definite IT factor...his character and SJP's Carrie are miles apart and I found myself laughing the whole way thru and adored his attraction to Carrie.......his white knight purse retrival scene was super. This role is perfect for Misha and his age didn't phase me (maybe cause I am older too!) .....can't wait 'til next year....and more of him...I cannot imagine that they will end up together at the close of the season however.....and yes, I hope they will do a fantasy dance scene - What a fun idea Now, I must ask my daugher what her take was....I am sure it was different than mom's

All this conversation is getting me reved for this trip!!!! :hyper: rkoretzky- I hope that I did not start something adrift here! I assumed that Palais de Cristal was the same as S in C Either one of these ballets will be candy to my eyes and ears.....the ballet program is listed as Palais de Cristal, music Bizet and costumes 'after Karinska'.. Please post if you find out any more info about this. 4 T's is on the POB program as well and will be great as I will be seeing it performed by PA Ballet also in October. My husband and I are traveling to Copenhagen first for some days. His family is Danish and it will be his first trip to see his relatives homeland. Hopefully, we can pick up tickets for RDB when we get there. Then we go to Venice for some days and fly to Paris for two nights and home. We are 'empty nesters' and making the most of it :yes: Our life was ruled for many years with the BD's schedule and demands of training...we miss her but not the rest.....and so we travel as much as possible after years of confinement! Estelle..... thanks for the dining tips! We are staying in the St. Germain area on Rue Christine. We found this lovely small hotel nestled back on this cobblestone street on our last visit while dining at a wonderful small cafe nearby. It is quiet and cozy and walking distance to the Louvre et al. Tres Romantique! We will all have to compare notes when we return.....Bon Voyage

Rkoretszky......very sorry to miss you by a week. It would have been fun to meet up with a BAnik in Paris. We are looking forward to our visit as well but we are only in Paris for two nights. It was lucky that the POB was dancing the one night available to us. So we will have to compare notes for sure. I have never been inside the this famous theatre either and anticipating a most special evening! What are you seeing? And do you know if POB lists their casting for these performances at their web site? We are seeing is the all Balanchine program. I cannot wait to see the POB in Symphony in C!!!!

To add to the list.......Lydia Walker came from Pennsylvania Ballet II and SAB

Dufay....gee, I hope that you try and see one of PaBallet's mixed bill programs.....these dancers are so versital and it gives you a chance to really see many of these dancers shine in a variety of dance styles. The April program with the Trey McIntyre piece, "Blue until June", Martin's "Fearful Symmetries" and a TBA premiere sounds promising. They listed DeMille's "Rodeo" on this program for their touring schedule but it is not clear if they are doing this ballet at home as well.....hope so! I have heard that their production of "Dracula" is great also......and the Balanchine program is always wonderful. :jump:

Amen.....Carbro :yes: And it is my belief that the AD must take the full responsibility for what goes on stage......for better or worse........

Yippee! It is now official! Thanks for this posting.....I am excited about the coming season at PABallet and all the new additions to the company. Where was this article found? Must show the BD asap. Alexandra and all at BA....you are remarkable for all your speedy postings and wonderful informations.

Gloria Govrin is sorely missed by many And her firing was a :speechless:

PABallet web site is not updated yet it seems. There are changes in the roster this year but they have not seemed to release it to the press yet. I would hope it would be soon. Maybe this is because contracts have not been mailed out yet.......the company is still in union negotiations. :shrug: They begin back after Labor Day. Yes, Sarah did go to BB and Francis to Kansas City Ballet. And James Ady will return as a soloist to PABallet.

Congratulations to Amy! She is a SoCal gal and we are so happy for her. She was also my BD's roommate at Suzanne Farrell's SI when she was thirteen. Amy showed her the ropes and was a great big sister. Glad to know she is doing well in Denmark...... :grinning: Maybe someday she will return home. She is a lovely dancer.

yes, HB's site lists it is still under construction. I am sure it will be up soon. I read it in a newspaper article about BB dancers going to HOuston, but cannot remember the source. sorry.

Check the new roster at Houston Ballet. A handful of BB dancers are there and already rehearsing. A change in AD at any company can be very unsettling. Atleast BB sounds as if it is moving in a direction now. It has been a company in a state of flux for a couple of years. Now it seems to be off and running with a solid performance schedule and a roster of dancers that must suit this particular AD. The new dancers hired for BB are a very talented group. A new dynamic can be positive and exciting.

It is surprising to me that Suzanne Farrell has not been honored here. Has her time not come yet? Her contributions to the art world are plenty. How does this nomination process work? It disturbs me that no dance person was nominated this year. :angry:

This is exciting news. Many of us have been waiting to hear the official roster for next season! Congratulations to Sara Edery and also to Emily Tedesco!

Found the article I mentioned above. It was in the Philadelphia Daily News on March 25,2003 (page 22) The title reads " Pennsylvania Ballet eyeing Sameric for classrooms, offices...."

There was a story in a Philly newspaper about PABallet looking at real estate in Center City. It was a few months ago I believe. The property being viewed was an old theatre in need of major renovation. It was located much closer to the Academy of Music were PABallet performs. The talk seems to continue about the company moving its headquarters and that it will include company offices as well as several studios and costume storage. PABallet leases its home space now (from the Rock School I am told ). Evidently, the lease will end in a couple of years. From what I have read, they are looking for a new home. Whether it will have its own school sounds very probable. Maybe I can find the article.........

So far the PABallet web site has not posted casting for ballets being performed to my knowledge. My info comes from BD. That is a great idea....maybe we can see if they can add this to their site.

BW - I have not read that particular review regarding Chris Wheeldon's approach to his "Swan Lake" for PABallet. But now that you mention it.... I too wonder how he will deal with the numbers of corps cygnettes. In the past, they have used their studio company dancers and also hired additional corps for bigger ballets. I will keep my ear to the ground! There really has been no open discussion of "Swan Lake" to the dancers other than an official announcement a while back. (Mr. Wheeldon did sit in and watch a company class in June) There will be changes in the roster this coming season as well, but no announcements have been formally made yet. I am excited about the prospect of the Royal version in the 'white acts' and am very curious to know how he will treat Acts I and III as well. It is all very exciting