Helene

Casting for second weekend isn't up yet, but there have been some shifts in first week casting. Batkhurel Bold and Maria Chapman won't be dancing in "New Suite" first weekend. Rachel Foster won't be dancing in "New Suite," but is scheduled for "Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude." Lesley Rausch replaces Carla Korbes in "In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated," but Korbes still dances in "New Suite." Updated spreadsheet: Forsythe 2015 03 10.xlsx

It's being held in McCaw Hall!

Less than one hour to go!

If this is Herrara's decision, and there's no evidence that it's otherwise, I think it's generous of ABT to give her that option, especially knowing they will get flack for the change.

The company forums are to discuss reviews of what you've seen; professional reviews are available widely in the Links forum. Professional reviews can be discussed in the "Writings on Ballet" forum. Background and historical information, like the information I quoted, are fine to be discussed, as are descriptions from reviews of other performances that describe content, like the information I quoted. What isn't allowed is discussing the discussion. If you have a problem with a post, please click the "Report" button and describe what the issue is.

Regarding the fish dives, Jann Parry wrote this, in a review of the Russian Ballet Icons Gala, which took place on 8 March: Like the big Act II PDD lifts that were retained in PNB's version of "Giselle," I was disappointed to learn that the fish dives were included in the new ABT version. The rest sounds wonderful.

There was a review of this program on dancetabs.com this morning: http://dancetabs.com/2015/03/russian-ballet-icons-gala-dedicated-to-the-history-of-russian-ballet-london/

The costumes for the Bell Telephone program, excerpted in the Balanchine documentary and just released on VAI, were black tights for the men, a white tunic for Wilde and white t-shirt for Magallanes, sky blue tunics for the corps women, and a slightly more greenish shade of blue for the corps men's t-shirts.

I've deleted professional reviews. Please discuss them in the "Writings on Ballet" forum.

I just got confirmation that, like the Bavarian State Opera live streams -- ex: "Paquita" -- this is a one-time transmission. If you miss it live, you've missed it.

I just got confirmation that, like the Bavarian State Opera live streams -- ex: "Paquita" -- this is a one-time transmission. If you miss it live, you've missed it.

The special presentation, "William Forsythe -- On Stage" will be live-streamed this Wednesday, March 11 at 6:30pm PST (9:30p EST). From the press release: Here's is the pertinent info from the press release: SEATTLE, WA –Legendary choreographer William Forsythe will join Pacific Northwest Ballet on stage for a special lecture-demonstration on the eve of the first American program devoted entirely to his work. The evening will feature a candid interview of Mr. Forsythe by PNB artistic director Peter Boal, a peek behind the curtain to watch Mr. Forsythe working with PNB dancers, and an opportunity for audience members to ask questions. This is Mr. Forsythe’s first visit to PNB to work directly with PNB dancers, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome this groundbreaking artist to our studios. To watch the live broadcast of this event, visit www.PNB.org/Live on Wednesday, March 11 at 6:30 pm (Pacific). Tickets to attend in person ($25) are available through the PNB Box Office, 206.441.2424, online at PNB.org, or at the PNB Box Office, 301 Mercer Street. Subject to availability, tickets are also available 90 minutes prior to showtime at McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer Street at Seattle Center. With THE VERTIGINOUS THRILL OF FORSYTHE, Pacific Northwest Ballet becomes the first American dance company to present a program devoted entirely to the work of acclaimed choreographer William Forsythe. The triple bill, including two PNB premieres, presents distinctive works from a dance maker legendary for his radical inventiveness. Forsythe achieves perfect neo-classical form in The Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude, a dizzy delight of refined technique and crystalline pointe work. A sampler of duets, individually re-worked for PNB, New Suite’s multiple pairings articulate a diversity of forms as well as matters between the sexes. And In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated returns to the PNB stage: endlessly prized by dancers and audiences, its relentless pace and fierce physicality serve as paradigm for Forsythe’s revolutionary impact on 21st-century ballet. The program also includes a musical prelude to shine the spotlight on the nationally renowned PNB Orchestra, currently celebrating its 25th Anniversary. THE VERTIGINOUS THRILL OF FORSYTHE runs for seven performances only, March 13 through March 22 at Seattle Center’s Marion Oliver McCaw Hall. For more information and detailed program notes, visit PNB.org.

Here's is the pertinent info from the press release: SEATTLE, WA –Legendary choreographer William Forsythe will join Pacific Northwest Ballet on stage for a special lecture-demonstration on the eve of the first American program devoted entirely to his work. The evening will feature a candid interview of Mr. Forsythe by PNB artistic director Peter Boal, a peek behind the curtain to watch Mr. Forsythe working with PNB dancers, and an opportunity for audience members to ask questions. This is Mr. Forsythe’s first visit to PNB to work directly with PNB dancers, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome this groundbreaking artist to our studios. To watch the live broadcast of this event, visit www.PNB.org/Live on Wednesday, March 11 at 6:30 pm (Pacific). Tickets to attend in person ($25) are available through the PNB Box Office, 206.441.2424, online at PNB.org, or at the PNB Box Office, 301 Mercer Street. Subject to availability, tickets are also available 90 minutes prior to showtime at McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer Street at Seattle Center. With THE VERTIGINOUS THRILL OF FORSYTHE, Pacific Northwest Ballet becomes the first American dance company to present a program devoted entirely to the work of acclaimed choreographer William Forsythe. The triple bill, including two PNB premieres, presents distinctive works from a dance maker legendary for his radical inventiveness. Forsythe achieves perfect neo-classical form in The Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude, a dizzy delight of refined technique and crystalline pointe work. A sampler of duets, individually re-worked for PNB, New Suite’s multiple pairings articulate a diversity of forms as well as matters between the sexes. And In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated returns to the PNB stage: endlessly prized by dancers and audiences, its relentless pace and fierce physicality serve as paradigm for Forsythe’s revolutionary impact on 21st-century ballet. The program also includes a musical prelude to shine the spotlight on the nationally renowned PNB Orchestra, currently celebrating its 25th Anniversary. THE VERTIGINOUS THRILL OF FORSYTHE runs for seven performances only, March 13 through March 22 at Seattle Center’s Marion Oliver McCaw Hall. For more information and detailed program notes, visit PNB.org.

Chung was trained at Goh Ballet and got more classical (rather than neoclassical) emphasis than many North American-trained dancers.

But the poncho-like scarf remains! The program at Meany Hall this weekend was gorgeous.

ABT premiered its new "Sleeping Beauty" in Southern California" last Tuesday, and you can get feedback on the various casts, remembering that most of the dancers are getting one or two performances is a different style than they are used to. http://balletalert.invisionzone.com/index.php?/topic/38485-abt-to-unveil-new-sleeping-beauty-for-75th-anniversary/

He was quite clear that he is interested in Rourke as an actor and how Rourke makes him feel when he watches Rourke on film. According to IMDB, an 11-minute documentary has a 2014 date: http://imdb.com/title/tt3413114/

There's a special KUOW discount 40% off all but the Second Tier for the Saturday matinee on 14 March (2pm): http://kuow.org/post/join-kuow-day-ballet (link at the bottom) Marcie Sillman will MC the post-performance Q&A. It's part of the Front Row Center Series

Polunin marches to his own drum.

Renewals went out this week. New and renewing subscribers can pre-order "Nutcracker" tickets for the entire run at 15% off before they go on sale to the public on 18 May either by phone (206) 441-2424 (M-F 10am-6pm; Sa 10am-5pm) or online for those renewing. At this time, there is no mechanism now to buy a new subscription and purchase Nutcracker tickets, unless PNB has it imbedded the "Nutcracker" option in the purchase confirmation email, as the ordering link on the "Nutcracker" page returns to the subscription ordering page. . To purchase/renew online: You have to renew or buy a new subscription and purchase "Nutcracker" tickets in a separate transaction. At the moment, for new subscribers, that second transaction must be a phone transaction. If you are a current subscriber, you should have received a renewal email, "Announcing the 2015-16 Season." You can renew either by clicking the "Click to Renew" icon in the email or by going directly to the PNB website and clicking "Renew": http://www.pnb.org/Season/Subscriptions/ If you want to purchase a new subscription, click the "Buy Online" button from the link above. If you are a returning subscriber, there are options to renew as is (series, location) or to make changes. 1. Follow the instructions to purchase or renew/make changes. You will have to login/create an account.2. Once you have received your order confirmation, log out. 3. If you are renewing, click the "Click to buy The Nutcracker" icon in the renewal email. 4. The list of dates will appear; select a date and follow the regular ordering instructions. There's a separate $10 per order fee for each.

PNB is streaming the 11 March 2015 live stream of William Forsythe's lecture-demo at PNB at 6:30pm PST, 9:30pm EST. The occasion is Friday's opening of the "Vertiginous Thrill of Forsythe" program: http://pnb.org/live/ You can even sign up for a reminder from this page or buy tickets to see it live. Forsythe is in the studio now, as documented on PNB's Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/PNBallet?ref=br_tf

Casting is up for the first week; as always, it's subject to change: http://www.pnb.org/Season/14-15/AllForsythe/#Casting There are 32 roles per show in three ballets. 34 company dancers and one apprentice are scheduled to dance first weekend. The Friday and Saturday night casts are the same, with a new cast for each ballet for the Saturday matinee. If I'm reading the schedule correctly, there are nine different Pas de deux in "Neue Suite," and the pairs are listed consecutively. Five dancers are listed for different pdd with each cast: Eric Hipolito Jr., Steven Loch, Sarah Ricard Orza, William Lin-Yee,and Karel Cruz. Maria Chapman is back from parental leave, at least for first weekend "Neue Suite" (#7 PDD with Karel Cruz). So is Kylee Kitchens in her first dancing role ; she played the character role Johanna in "Don Quixote." Three dancers will appear in all three ballets first weekend: Leta Biasucci, Carrie Imler, and Jonathan Porretta. Here is the cast in a spreadsheet; you shouldn't have to be logged in to download it: Forsythe 2015 03 05.xlsx

Princess Margaret wasn't the first boy-crazy Royal princess.

That makes sense: most of them do go offstage and, if they live, are never put to sleep, hence, they're long dead before everyone is woken again. In the Hynd version, only the dead one remains.