socalgal

I thought that I read in one of the newspaper articles that the dancers did vote to strike. And one of the issues mentioned in the papers was that the dancers supporting these actions were feeling threatened by company management for vocalizing their dissatisfactions. I am so sorry for all at WB. And lets hope that they can work out all their differences.

Hi lillianna!

I will be seeing a few Nuts this weekend. So I will chime in later. Glad it has warmed up a bit here......

Ballet Pacifica's "Nutcracker"

December 13th at 7:30

Casting:

Fritz......Daron Pons

Sugar Plum Fairy.....Stella Abrera

Cavalier.......Sascha Radetsky

Snow Queen.....Leann Underwood

Snow King.......Eric Tamm

Doll......Belle Riley

Spanish Woman....Nicole Graniero

Spanish Man.....Tom Forster

Arabian woman...Isabella Boylston

Arabian Man...Cory Stearns

Chinese... Danielle Schulz

Russian......Roddy Doble and Gray Davis

Dew Drop....Allison Miller

Being minutes away from the Irvine Barclay Theater, I couldn't resist attending Ballet Pacifica's new "Nutcracker" under the artistic direction of Ethan Stiefel. The choreography is credited to Brian Reeder, with additional chroeography by John Gardner, Lorin Johnson and Amanda McKerrow. This was a tastefully produced production that combined both Academy students with the ABT Studio Company dancers and the guest ABT Soloists Stella Abrera and Sascha Radetsky as Sugar Plum and Cavalier. This rendition was a traditional storyline. The children and corps roles were danced by BP Academy sudents. The meatier parts were handed to a talented ABT Studio group. But it was the presence of Abrera and Radetsky that was the highlight of the evening. Stella danced with clear and beautifully phrased elegance. And her Cavalier delivered his solo with bravado and clean technique. Both have a wonderful warmth in their stage presence and the crowd of young ones in the audience cheered as they finished.

I enjoyed the performance of Isabella Boylston with her high extension in Arabian. She is a shorter dancer but that did not stop her from tantalizing us with her lovely lines and dazzling arabesques. Cory Stearns made a fine partner for her. Nicole Graniero is another one to watch. In the Spanish variation, she had great command of the stage and wonderful technique. Allison Miller gave a lovely performance of Dewdrop. However, I felt the choreography limited her from stretching out and showing her full potential. She seems to be a good turner and very musical in her phrasing.

This was a rare chance to see these East Coast Studio kids here in Southern California. It was worth the effort and the money ( a steep ticket price for a school production!) to catch a glimpse of the Studio Company members and two bright stars of ABT.

(And a glimpse of Ethan Stiefel who was in the audience!)

......and in the rep of Pennsylvania Ballet who performs it this spring (for the 2nd time)!

I saw Bouder as Dewdrop last night, and I must say I'm tired of her rubato and witty musicality.  It strikes me as a gimmick -- playing with the music for effect, rather than exploring its emotional qualities.  "Waltz of the Flowers" has musical depth, not flash.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I can totally understand your impression of Bouder's performances. She tires me after awhile as well. Hopefully, maturity will strengthen the depth of her artistry. More poetry, less flash.

Many thanks to all of dedicated team members and administrators at BA for making this ballet board the wonderful ballet information highway that it is!

Happy Thanksgiving to all.........

I do not see Zach Hench listed as Cavalier either Lovely to see both Rio Lama and Julie dancing dewdrop this year! That is new! If you can, catch Rio dancing Coffee - it is beyond dazzling!

Dale....you are too kind.....that is way too much work!!! I can wait....it will probably be up tomorrow Thanks..... But they did get the new apprentices listed and all the new corps dancers

Thanks Dale for the heads up! Nothing has shown up for entire casting yet when I last looked today at their web site.......

I absolutely loved this film......what a joy! A great job in documenting the impact of the Ballets Russes on our American culture and ballet in general. Wow! I want this dvd when it comes out. I also think that today's young dancers should see this film. The filmmakers captured an incredible spirit of the ballet during this period and a wonderful view of the lives of those who were a part of this historic heritage. Loved Freddie Franklin's stories, Mia's firery personality..... and the closing with Markova was touching. Just to mention a few moments. There were so many. An outstanding film. I will go back again.........

I will miss Jen Smith too! She is an amazing dancer and will be sorely missed.....it was a surprise to many when the announcement was made.

Yes, lillianna........and the company's dancers page is not updated either to include new members and all the promoted apprentices to corps. You can go to press releases and read the bios on the new PAB II group and also read the press release on the new roster to PAB for '05-'06.

After reading all of your comments, I called for tickets today for the Wednesday evening performance of SB with Vishneva/Zelensky. I do hope the casting does not change......! I am counting on them performing for opening night. It's a long drive into L.A..........

WoW! Julie dancing Russian......would have loved to have seen that. Thanks for your wonderful recall regarding Act III changes, lillianna. I am glad to hear that the stage was cleared as it did seem cluttered with tables as first seen and that the action was clearer with the revised waltz section et al. Cheers to PAB!

Thanks for the review, lillianna! I would love to know more about the choreographic changes that were made in Act III.....were there any changes in the opening as well? I agree that the swan corps is extremely powerful in the final act. Wish I could be there watching with you!

That's a shame.......wonder what happened.......since the casting was up and posted at the PAB web site. And even sadder to know that Julie cannot dance this run at all for lack of a partner.........sigh.........

According to my very old and dog-eared Dance Encyclopedia by Chujoy and Manchester:

Pas d'Action

quote

".....a pantomime scene inserted into the ballet between dances for the purpose of furthering the plot. Excellent examples of pas d'action are to be found in "Giselle" (particularly Act 1), "La Fille Mal Gardee" and "Coppelia". In the Russian Imperial Theatre pas d'action had a different meaning. It was a dance scene which helped to develop the plot, to move the action. A brilliant example is the so-called Rose Adagio of "The Sleeping Beauty" (Act 1) when Princess Aurora is being wooed by the four exotic Princes on her sixteenth birthday. The original libretto of 1890 labeled the scene Grand Pas d'Action. The pas de deux in what is now called Act 3 of "Swan Lake" (the so-called Black Swan pas de deux), also carried the appelliation of Pas d'Action, according to the original program of the Maryinsky Theatre."

Me too, NYSusan! I am getting tkts this week for the Wed, 5th of Oct. performance.

It seems that there are great seats still available........lucky us. It is a drive for me, but well worth it......did you happen to glance at the running time? 3 hours and 45 minutes. Whew!

Her site matches the listed casting at the L.A. Music Center's web site. The casting for all performances is listed there under Dance and it seemed to me that the casting roster was quite similar to the Berkeley dates........

I attended Sunday matinee and loved the leads in this performance of Sparticus. I guess there were some casting changes and I was elated to find Maria Alexandrova wonderfully cast as Aegina. Crassus was danced by Vladimir Neporozhny and although his sleek lined physique gave him a less weighter approach to the role, he improved as the night went on giving his dramatic best. I adored Nina Kaptsova as Sparticus's beloved. But the night went to Alexander Vorobiev's Sparticus. His performance was excellent, even though his stature is small. The choreography for the corps men was simple minded and danced a bit ragged. The women corps were lovely. Much of the ballet was old fashioned to me, but I gravitated to many of the pdd's and solos. And just enjoyed seeing the Bolshoi in their element.

No, the men were not of the level that I remember from years ago. But the big dancing style and dramatics was all in place. I am hoping that they survive this century with all the changes in their economy and politics. With good direction, they still could hold on to their heretage and lead their dancers into the 21st century.

But I felt watching them that they are in transition and many of the dancers seemed very young,especially the men.

On Wed. night, it was Shipulina that starred in "Bright Stream" at OCPAC. The house was nicely filled with a loud cheering section in the balconies!

I agree with Giannina that the program notes for the libretto went on and on until I was lost and decided to not worry about the plot , but relax and enjoy. Enjoy I did! It is definitely a period piece. Much of the comedy was wonderful and knowing a little about the Russian history made it even better. The company danced well but I was expecting more. I found the Bolshoi dancing very flambuoyant and loose as compared to the Kirov. The Act II prank with swapping identities was hilarious and I loved the choreography. All in all, an enjoyable night at the ballet. The orchestra was a definite plus! Now....on to Sparticus on Sunday!

I noticed that Monique Meunier is missing from the ABT roster.......?

Yes, the company leaves tomorrow for Edinburgh...Merd !

There will be three casts of principles for the 6 performances.....Rio Lama Lorenzo with Zachery Hench, Arantxa Ochoa with James Ady and Julie Diana with Yury Yanowsky who is guesting from Boston Ballet.

Would so love to be there....hope those that will be attending will report in!

Neither of these names appears on the company roster in my program from last night at OCPAC. Lewis Segal mentions in today's LATimes that the company was minus many of its top dancers.

Thanks for the casting list!.......I have been busy rereading reviews to familiarize myself with the casting I will be seeing.....going Wed. eve and Sunday matinee.