socalgal

Jorge Donn....he was amazing!

As I read through this thread, it boggles the mind to think that the director of NYCB actually commissioned this ballet.....what was he thinking? And yes, what were the NYCB dancers thinking while learning this ballet - a ballet that had already been set on Eifman's company! I am absolutely :speechless: ..........

Congratulations to all at PABallet for this incredible new version of Swan Lake. Prior to actually seeing the ballet, I shivered in my shoes for PAB taking such risk in staging an old classic with a new contemporary vision. This is not normally their style....and the risks were many. The company rose to and beyond the task at hand and Mr. Wheeldon made a ballet for them that more than suit this talented group. Since the sets were made for traveling, let's hope it travels far and wide! This is a Swan Lake worth viewing - and more than once if you want to catch all the details. It may not be all things to all people, but then what version is? Brava to Dede Barfield for her last performance with PAB. Her performance captured my heart. Alexei Borovik was her soulful partner and the two of them were magical together. The corps danced brilliantly and the production itself is amazing - sets, costumes, lighting design.

Sandik I really appreciated reading your insights to Wheeldon's new SL. I do not see it until this weekend. However, from all I have read and heard, I think you have made some extremely valid points. Is it Swan Lake or something else? And what happens to the imagery and symbols of romanticism if it has been replaced by reality? :shrug: I guess I am sensing a loss of poetry here. It does sound like a beautifully crafted production in the similar vein as a well designed Broadway production. Very theatrical. For me, Swan Lake is about the love of beauty and pursuit of that ideal form as mysterious and ehpemeral as it may be. Maybe this SL is for a new generation ..........Can't wait to see for myself

:shhh: I confess........ I saw it lying on a table at Costco and picked it up because of the cover and the title I ended up taking it to Hawaii with me .....it made great beach reading. No, not a classic, but the NYCB backdrop was surely believable and I enjoyed it for that reason.

Dale I am so glad to hear this....from the inside, I know these dancers dedicated themselves body and soul to this ballet......they are a spirited group and work diligently as a whole. Can't wait to hear more about it, especially your thoughts about the change of time and place and how Chris created the studio/real life into the story ballet and back again.....I also heard that the costumes were wonderful...

Very excited about this new SL....especially Acts I and III which seem to be of new invention. We will be seeing the last weekend's performances. Saturday evening of June 12 will be Dede Barfield's final performance with PABallet. She is retiring at the end of this season. We love her and wouldn't miss this special night. As far as the PAB roster listings, I would think that they would not be updating this until next Fall. :shrug: Anyone else going to see this new SL?

I would like to know what reasons there would be not to officially announce Julie's departure from SFB or annnounce her coming to PAB. I guess I am just plain curious. PAB has posted the arrival of Zach Hench on the PABallet web site. No mention of Julie Diana. I am supposing that the announcement of Zachery Hench had to do with his performing with PaBallet in their new "Swan Lake" this June and thus necessary to reveal his status. It could be that PaBallet will wait until all contracts are formally settled before making any new company roster announcements? :shrug: It also would be disappointing if Julie did not get a proper 'send off' from SFB.........IMO

Thanks for posting this info.....it is broadcasting here in the Los Angeles area tonight from 8pm to 10pm on KCET. My tape will be ready to go

Rhythm and Blues program was excellent programming. The three pieces were different in tone but were all contemporary in nature. The music choices made a nice blend for the viewer with composers Adams, Chopin and songs sung by Etta James. Unfortunatley, the entire concert was danced to taped recordings. For some reason I was not as bothered by this as I thought I would be. The quality of the recordings and the sound system seemed excellent and never called my attention to this factor during the performance. Martins "Fearful Symmetries" opened the program with powerful and quicksilver dancing by all. I have always liked this ballet and the company danced it with lots of magnatism and style. I thought it showed the strength of the entire cast and the audience was applauding before the finish. I particularly like the shorter couples pas, danced by Valerie Amiss and Phil Colucci in one cast and Marth Chamberlin/Colucci in the other cast I viewed. A great opener for this program. Matt Neenan's "The Crossed Line" was a world premiere and evidently, as the program reads, had its "initial development supported by the New York Choreographic Institute, an affiliate of NYCB, during the Fall 2003 season." Matt has choreographed for the company before, as Tessa states. I did see his "Le Travail" last season which was based on Degas paintings. The only thing in common with these two pieces was his creative use of sets, wonderful costuming and use of lighting. He seems to have a good eye for the visual which always gives his works a strong focus for what he is creating for the dancers. I guess you would say he sets the mood for his ballets with wonderful artistic sense. Both pieces used sets that divided the stage space and moved during the ballet to allow spacial changes for the various dance sections. I found this to be clever and interesting and lending well to his choreography. Back to "The Crossed Line"..... Chopin is normally thought to be lyrical music and the dancing did have that element. But it was not always traditional in movement choices. The theme seemed based on relationships of different couples, trios and quintets. As the dance begins in a circle, it ends as the dancers run back to hold up a long descending black barre,much like a ballet barre IMO. The piece as a whole was quiet and intimate. It uniquely captured love relationships and relationship's many complications and tanglements. I liked the piece very much....although it may have been a tad too long. (they will be taking this piece to New Jersey next week, for those of you who are close by!) "Blue Until June" closed the show with its bluesy air and wonderful songs. The dancers gave the choreography the right feel and I had fun watching Phil Colucci's drunken solo. There was great chemestry and it was enjoyable seeing the PABallet dancers in this genre. If you can, check out the PaBallet in New Jersey next week....dancing "Fearful Symmetries." "The Crossed Line" and a third work which may be "Blue Until June" or "Fancy Free", not sure.

This was a fantastic program including Martin's "Fearful Symmetries", McIntyre's "Blue Until June" and Neenan's "The Crossed Line." The company shined from top to bottom and the audience gave thunderous applause at both performances that I attended..... Choreography was great and the dancing was brilliant. Loved it......I can share more later when I return home...... Bravo PABallet

I was hoping for something besides "Cinderella"........ :shrug: And no Darcy Bussell...... I guess I was hoping for one of their mixed rep programs to be included.......you lucky New Yorkers........

Susan Jaffe

Samantha Allen....my bd adored her and we always wondered what happened to her. Maria Calegary....incredible to watch for her virtuous dancing. Rio Lama Lorenzo......a beautiful muse (who can be seen dancing Odette/Odile in Wheeldon's Swan Lake in June for those who miss her.... A great addition to Pennsylvania Ballet)

There is a difference between 'finding' talent that one likes and 'developing' talent. Also, different types of 'talent' exist at different companies. I say this because I really had a difficult time reading this article. It seemed naive to me. I have observed this company for years and have also had the chance to see years of their seasons and sometimes viewing some programs multiple times. In my observations, SFB has developed a definite vision that is clear and centered around a very carefully selected repertory. It has always been evident to me that this Artistic Director knows exactly what he envisions for his company.....from top to bottom, from repertory to technical style. It makes this company stand out in its unique artistry. The dancers that are selected for SFB have a very distinct commonality that makes them the tools for this man's vision. I think this is a unique trait for an AD of one of the bigger American ballet companies - this unification of vision and style. Does this AD bring dancers along? I suppose if feeding them good artistic food in generous doses is part of this equation, then I guess you can call it that. What I have witnessed is that so many of the dancers at SFB have been found all over the world and brought in after dancing elsewhere. There are some that have risen from the school, but not many. The dancers mentioned in the article were mostly mature dancers or had something that this AD wanted to use to heighten his own vision. I believe this AD to be a master at bringing in excellent new work and the dancers to compliment this work. This AD also has a keen eye for programing artistically interesting seasons. Most recently, I have noticed that more corps dancers have been getting opportunities to step out into soloist roles - a very healthy practice. I hope that it continues. Right now, SFB is auditioning for two principle dancer positions. Let's watch and see if he promotes from within....

This IS wonderful news for PABallet! At a time when arts spending seems to be dwindling, a beautiful and well deserved gift like this appears! The company has an exciting artistic year ahead of them on top of the financial security a gift like this brings to the organization. Kudos to all.

It has been announced. According to the PABallet press release, the company will be performing Swan Lake in Pittsburgh on October 1 and also at Penn State, October 6......this is wonderful news and an exciting year for the company

tessa - that is what i was hoping! I am sure they will tour this Swan Lake next year and maybe it will be early October as you suggested! That would be fun

AMEN, ROMA!

GWTW........ Yes, I was a little surprised that the new Wheeldon Swan Lake was not included in next year's season. However, I have been told that the production sets are being made for touring....maybe you will be able to catch it out of town? :grinning: I was also wondering why the first program is scheduled in November. Usually, PABallet begins peforming earlier in October. :shrug:

Just opened today's Philly Inquirer and saw the announcement of PABallet's season for 2004-2005! It is a wonderful mix of repertory as well as Ashton's "La Fille".....hope someone will put a link to this article. I am particularly excited that they will be doing Robbin's "The Concert" for the first time and Wheeldon's "Continuum"

Yes, I hear it is a barrel of laughs....Jeff Gribbler came out of retirement to perform one of the suitors and he is supposed to be an absolute riot.

Anyone seen Taming of the Shrew yet? The review was terrific and we are catching this weekend's performances. Looking forward to it...... :grinning:

A personal thanks to you all for the helpful tips!!! You BalletAlertniks are amazing people! Carbro....you are a dearheart ....thanks a million for getting me the TIX! My mind will be at rest that we have seats before boarding the train to NYC! ( And Jacqueline, thanks for the hot tip. We will lurk around and see what pops up....) We will be there for that last Winter Season matinee, binoculars et al. Yippee!

Thanks, Carbro! But I unfortunately did check out the nycb tkt. web page...looks meager at best.....what are the odds of picking up tkts at the theater on the day of????? I was silly not to get going on this earlier... :green: I am going in to Philly to see the BD and she brought up going into NYC to see SB. Oh well....maybe another time.... If anyone has two tkts for this performance.....let me know~