Mrs. Stahlbaum

I'm so jealous of you New Yorkers. Sometimes I wonder whether living in beautiful, sunny, southern California is really worth it. You are so lucky to be able to see so much ballet. Thanks for sharing it with the rest of us. (And thanks to PBS or whoever for taping Swan Lake for us.)

I just got my copy, too. I absolutely loved it. I bought it, not expecting too much. All I knew about La Sylphide was that it was not to be confused with Les Sylphides and that it had kilts and sylphs in it. I figured it was a necessary part of my ballet education to see it even if I wasn't going to fall in love with it. I was wrong. I am not really qualified to comment on the finer points of the dancing either, but it looked good to me. I was impressed with Aurelie Dupont who was a beautiful sylph and so different from her portrayal of Kitri (which I also loved). I loved all the flying around the stage and I understand that the Paris Opera is a particularly good stage to accomodate the flying. The whole production just seemed very magical and romantic to me.

Thanks for the heads up about the backorder. I taped it, but sent it to my daughter at her summer intensive, figuring my DVD would be here in a few days. At least it repeats on Sunday.

Okay, I think I found the Smithsonian article (it was shorter than I remember), here. Interesting because it particularly mentions the Telegraph

I read an article about the history of obituaries recently (in the last year?). I thought it was in Smithsonian Magazine, but I searched their website and couldn't find it. It dealt with this very subject and was quite interesting. Anybody out there save their old Smithsonian Magazines?

Thanks for the heads up on the POB La Sylphide. I just ordered it (through the link). I would also like to see a POB Raymonda. I haven't seen the PBS ABT Swan Lake yet, but I imagine I'll want that on DVD, although I haven't seen it for sale or pre-order yet. Also, despite all of its faults, I wish Dancers (Baryshnikov/Ferri/Kent) would come out on DVD.

After scanning the positive reviews in recent weeks of Billy Elliott, the musical, I am hoping that it makes it way out to California someday so I can see it. For a second there, I was thinking, gee, I hope they make a movie of it so that I can see it...hmmm, a movie of a stage production of a movie .

Oh my gosh, this is all too confusing. I think I'll play it safe and stick with ABT (hmm, emphasis probably on the T).

My worst experience was when a tall grandmother held her granddaughter in her lap and they sat with their heads cuddled side by side during the entire ballet. I could not see over them nor around them. When people block my view at the ballet, for whatever reason (sometimes it's just poor theatre design), I fantasize about being rich enough to buy a ticket for the seat in front of me just to guarantee a clear view of the stage. Then I remind myself that getting upset about it will just further diminish my enjoyment. Then I complain about it all the way home....

A possible explanation for the lack of under 40 women (and men) in audiences, is the change in childcare and babysitting. My parents never hesitated to hire a babysitter to go out for the evening, but now families tend to either stay home in the evenings or are involved in the children's activities. At least that's how it was for us. As my daughter got older and became interested in ballet, she became my "escort" to the ballet, and with the cost of tickets being so high, I'm just as happy to leave my uninterested husband at home so that we can afford better seats .

That sounds like the same ad I saw in the LIFE magazine that was included in last Friday's LA Times newspaper. I was surprised but happy to see it.

I saw Viengsay Valdes in DQ in southern California do that same balance. She got a standing ovation right then and there. It was impressive even before she went into the penchee. Hhmm...on second thought, maybe it was her fouetees that got the ovation. I just remember thinking, "did I just see what I thought I saw? How could it be possible to do that?"

Everyone knows women have hair under their arms too, but thank goodness they shave . Actually, I don't mind a little under men's arms, but if it's enough that I notice it, then it's too much. What a weird subject, anyway...

Who were the cygnets in the taped performance?

Thank you, Leigh, for allowing me to post on the ballet videos site. Of course, now I feel all tongue-tied (and I'm not quite awake yet), and can't think of a thing to post, but I'll watch for an opening.

I would like to be able to post on the video site, but can't because I don't have enough posts. I don't want to buy/trade/sell videos, I just want to be able to ask a question or add a comment on a video.

American Ballet Theatre will be at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion at the Music Center in Los Angeles April 27 - May 1 doing Giselle and Tchaikovsky repertory.

Alina Cojacaru and the Royal Ballet in Giselle at the OCPAC simply because my ballet watching partner was out of town. What was I thinking? Now if I want to see her do it , I'll have to go out of town--probably overseas!

I won't repeat the name as I'm not sure of the facts (I heard this at a pre-performance lecture), but is it a well-known story that an ABT dancer had to quit dancing/partnering after injuring his hand in a sword fight in Romeo and Juliet?

Didn't Warren Beatty get one of those special Oscars recently? His contribution to the film industry must be greater than is apparent, but I can't remember the details.

More cancellations. I just got a letter from the Cerritos Center (in southern California) that "Suzanne Farrell Ballet Company has chosen to cancel their upcoming tour, including their September 24 & 25 performances at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts."

Actors: Patrick Swayze.

Without mentioning any specific dancers, how does ABT make room for so many new dancers ( I see other new non-studio-company dancers on their roster also)? Are most of the spots created because dancers are not rehired, because they move onto other companies, or because they decided to quit dancing?

Are you talking about Susan Jones? She is an ABT ballet mistress.

Perhaps the idea of a family-friendly or child-friendly performance refers to the audience and not the program. Someone who is hesitant to bring children to a ballet might be comforted to think that a little more squirming around in seats would be tolerated at such a performance, and someone who is wanting an audience of quiet adults would choose a different performance. Also, I prefer to see a "traditional" Nutcracker (whatever that is), but welcome other visions. I would just ask that the advertising would indicate if the interpretation is much different than what I might assume it to be.