msd

Thanks, all for your advice -- took the 10-year-old...and she (and I) loved the show! She had to explain some of the ballet jokes to nondancing me, and especially enjoyed how the dying swan "molts" all over the stage. We ended up in the second row (with comp tickets, I'm happy to take what I can get!), so she got a chance to see the pointework, strong musculature...and really, really, really bad makeup up close. It was a bit jarring at first to see hairy chests stuffed into tutus...but once the dancing started, we moved between hilarity and amazement -- those guys can dance. Thanks again for the encouragement to go -- it was a blast! msd

I think an earlier thread listed this film coming to our area in early February...and it's nowhere in sight. :angry: Could be because we have very, very few "art" theaters, and a ton of the chains, which happily show the latest blood-and-guts special on 11 screens in THX sound. Sigh. I'll keep watching for it.... msd

Okay, I've heard that this all-male company performs on pointe, in traditionally-female roles. My 10-year-old dancing daughter let me know that the company is coming to our city for a performance the end of this month, and she would like to go. She's seen Mark Morris' "Hard Nut", and had no issues with the men in the snow scene (in fact she was fascinated to consider how the male dancers pulled this off). But anyway, here's the question -- is this an okay show for a 10 year old? Anybody seen them -- can you tell me what to expect for her (and for me)? Thanks! msd

Thanks, glebb!! Now I just have to wait until February (sigh)...but I know it's on its way to the great midwest!

For Cincinnati Ballet, especially during Nutcracker Season, it's Valentine Liberatore, who wore many, many hats (and shoes). He served (admirably) as children's rehearsal coach, is the most wonderful Herr Drosselmeier or a scary-silly mouse king. He toured w/the Company when they took Nut to Anchorage and to Detroit, MI, serving as kid's director in these cities (where he had to take it on faith that their home studio was preparing them for their roles). As a character dancer, his pantomime skills are surpurb, and his enthusiasm for the children and their part in Nut was genuine and gratifying. Looking forward to see him in Princess and the Pea...as a not-so-lovely lady!

FunnyFace, was this broadcast as part of Great Performances, a special, or stand-alone show? I'll check our public listings...recently, every time I've turned them on, I've caught them "mid-beg" for funding...so haven't been as aware of their listings. (There's talk here of having a "beg-free" channel for those of us who support Public TV...but I think I'd have to upgrade my cable...and I'm just too durn cheap!)

My daughter and I used to hold ballet season tickets...but there was one year when we couldn't make 2 of the performances (and, for some reason, I couldn't find anyone to go in our place, so I felt rotten about the wasted tickets! ) Since then, she's been eligible for discounted day-of-show tickets through the pre-pro school where she studies, and also, for a variety of arts events, though a young person's arts program. It's been great -- we saw the Paul Taylor Dance Company last weekend, great free seats via the arts program, and will see "Stomp!" this Wednesday. These are great breaks in the Nutcracker rehearsal season, when it seems that we all hear Tchaikovsky in our collective sleep! I like the spontaneity of being able to attend the performance of our choice, that fits the schedule of the day, love the price breaks...but last weekend was a challenge -- straight from her ballet class to the venue, hoping for seats (got great ones!), then right after the performance to rehearsal. She was in heaven...and we managed to make everything on time. msd

...that I have found a welcoming community of experts, other parents of dancers, pros willing to give advice. ...that I have the "inside scoop" on what's going on in the world of dance. ...that I have a place to ask questions, to celebrate, to look forward to what might be ahead for my dancing daughter. ...that my posts have access to some of the best smilies around! Thanks, Ballet Alert. msd

My daughter (now 10) first saw Nutcracker at 3. That was the starting point of a dance journey for her. She attended perfomances from that point on, in my lap until she was tall enough to see from a seat. Story ballets, particularly, are enchanting to young kids, but she also seemed to enjoy the "shapes" of the Ballanchine, etc. pieces. Success tips for the very young at the ballet: 1. Talk about how people sit (quietly), what they do (watch w/out talking), etc. before you go. 2. If possible, and an accessible story ballet, get hold of the fairy tale, etc beforehand and read it together. 3. Snacks at intermission (I always smuggled in some goldfish crackers -- they were a lifesaver.) 4. Think matinee. Schedule the all-important nap a little early that day...but don't try to skip it if he still naps. 5. Be seated on or near an aisle and 6. Be prepared to leave early if need be. When possible, my husband would attend with us, and we were prepared for one or the other to leave with our young daughter. We never had to. She was fascinated. She started "class" at 3 -- class for kids that young is lots of movement to music, and her favorite: jumping over the alligator (pre-pre-pre center work). She's still an avid fan of dance, both as a student and an audience member. msd

When my daughter was dancing several Nutcracker performances last year, I was fortunate enough to see the show several times, and all from different vantage points. When I chapperoned the student matinee, I sat in our hall's first balcony, right side. When all the local relatives went with us, we ended up in row 3 -- close enough to hear the dancers breathe (my preference). When the out-of-town relatives arrived, we sat in the center of the first balcony. Finally, when my daughter asked to see the other children's cast on an off night, we grabbed the cheap seats offered to students, and ended up in the 3rd balcony, moving to center when it was obvious those seats were empty. I enjoyed seeing the same ballet from the different vantage points, as then I was able to see different emphases and different "pictures" of the stage. I still prefer right down front, regardless of the ballet I'm seeing -- I like to see the facial expressions clearly and the details on those fabulous costumes.