Gina Ness

Well, there it is, then. She was a principal dancer with NYCB...Did anyone catch her a couple of years ago in an add for (I believe) Fosamax on television. She is still just so pretty! Oh, and dido..You are very welcome!

I just got out my old SFB 50th Anniversary book. It lists Ms. Schorer as joining the company in 1957. I do not know the year she left for New York. I was a student at SFB from 1966-1969 and joined the company in 1972. She was gone when I arrived in '66. But, she had a reputation (from what I heard) of being a very good dancer. I believe she danced quite a few principal roles although I'm not certain if she was a principal dancer on the company's roster. She was probably a soloist. When I am able to access any of my old programs she might be in, I'll try to clarify her position in a future posting. The only listing in a principal role I can find in my book is Lew Christensen's "Emperor Norton" (1957). Second casts are not listed in this book for other works, only opening night casts for ballet premieres. 1957 - 1959 were the years of international touring for SFB. The 22 dancer company traveled on a State Department sponsored 11-nation tour of the Far East. In looking at the dancers of this era (mid 50s to mid 60s), I see many names you will be familiar with such as Conrad Ludlow, Jocelyn Vollmar, Michael Smuin, Robert Vickrey, Kent Stowell, Paula Tracy, Terry Orr, Finis Jhung, Sue Loyd, Cynthia Gregory...As you can see, Lew lost some of his brightest and best to the East Coast and beyond.

Do you know that Ms. Schorer originally trained and danced with SFB (Lew Christensen) before she went to New York?

Oh dear, Paul! Well, the great thing about Sleeping Beauty is that there is just so much else to enjoy, even if Aurora may leave something to be desired...This is why I prefer this ballet to Swan Lake! All the fairy variations, Blue Bird Pas de Deux, etc...One is able to see a variety of soloists dancing wonderful variations.

Yes, Mary J...Now, Voyager! I love this film. This should have been on my list, too...

I just bought my tickets this morning. I am very excited to see the performance. I will be attending Sunday afternoon's final performance as this works best for me. I will see Nioradze - Fadeev - Esina (Lilac, I assume). Frankly, I would be happy to see any cast as I haven't seen the Kirov much in the last few years. I have (searching here) read some nice things about Andrian Fadeev. I believe I saw Irma Nioradze dance in Les Sylphides and thought her lovely...

Danny Kaye in just about anything...He's one of the most natural dancers I've ever seen! P.S...And, those fabulous legs...

Juliet...how interesting...now that would be an interesting topic to me: The History of the Tutu! I've seen them, I've worn them..but, what is the history of the different styles, designers, eras, etc? Fascinating...By the way, for those of you who have never worn one, imagine doing something complicated with your legs and feet and not being able to SEE them sometimes!

I loved Grant and Kerr in "An Affair to Remember"... Children of Paradise Dark Victory Bringing Up Baby (on the light side, but SO divine) The Ghost and Mrs. Muir Cocteau's "Beauty and the Beast" Sense and Sensibility ( Emma Thompson and "Colonel Brandon" Alan Rickman) Pride and Prejudice (The version made for television...wonderful!) Fun topic!

Maya Plisetskaya! Odette...grace, beauty, vunerability, sensitivity (those arms!)...Odile....sexy, strong, mysterious, powerful! Second place (for me, IMHO) is Cynthia Gregory...all the afore mentioned qualities in the next generation of ballerinas. I've seen both live. I was fairly young when I saw Plisetskaya, but what an impression she made on a young dancer! Video doesn't cut it, really, when it comes right down to it...

In the mid 70s, Jerome Weiss choreographed an interesting big sin city version of "Peter and the Wolf" for SFB. Peter was a boyscout; the Duck was a waddling, slightly inebriated floozy; the Bird had a questionable reputation and a great interest in Peter; the Wolf was a pimp; Peter's grandpa was in a wheelchair smoking something suspicious; the Hunters were the Marx brothers; well, you get the picture. I know it sounds like it was dreadful, but, in fact, it was very cute, well-done, and a big hit with the audience. Former SF Mayor Willie Brown was the onstage narrator...Only in San Francisco! :rolleyes:

Hi Paul...I will say a special prayer for you and your family tonight. I know Grace! I haven't seen her for years...Lovely dancer...I will say a prayer for her tonight, as well... Much love, Gina

I keep thinking of all the art and culture that has been devastated in this disaster of epic proportions. New Orleans is a hub of art, culture, music...I am thinking of my former colleague and incredibly wonderful dancer and ballet master Kirk Peterson...he hails from New Orleans...my thoughts and prayers are with the families of this stricken city. My dear neighbor's parents and siblings live in the city...This tragedy affects all of us, no matter where we live...

I loved Makarova as Odette/Odile. But I have to say, her 32 fouettes were the worst fouettes of any ballerina I've seen in the role. She had a hard time turning on her own...But, she was so beautiful in every other aspect in this role, I didn't care! And, yes, there have been many great American ballerinas, of which Ms. Gregory is just one...P. S. And, back in the ancient times every ballerina I saw perform the role executed the required 32 fouettes, gee, sometimes even finishing with a triple...

Towards the middle of the page is a beautiful photo (with birth and death dates) of Raisa Struchkova. Click on it to see some more famous photos of her as well as a more recent photo, which I was happy to see.

It's hard to believe she is 80 years old...Something tells me she still has more energy than some folks who are half her age. Happy Birthday to an amazing artist.

The lovely woman towards the end of the trailer is Dame Alicia Markova (with the beautiful short, coifed silver hair)....

Me, too!

Ms. Gregory was one of the most natural dancers I have ever seen. By this, I mean that ballet technique just seemed like it came easier to her than to many. This, coupled with her dedication, made for an absolutely great dancer with amazing technical finesse. She had a phenominal sense of balance and turning ability; gorgeous port de bras (arm movements); divine musicality and phrasing of movement; impeccable line; a beautiful physique and statuesque bearing. I saw her dance MOSTLY the classics: Odette/Odile, Swanhilda, Giselle...Paquita, Sylvia pas de deux...She danced first movement principal Symphony in C with SFB when she came back to guest (I was 4th Movement principal). She was wonderful in first movement. As you can see, I was and am a huge fan of hers , and I was so thrilled to be on the same stage with her in our hometown of San Francisco. Sometimes I have read that people found her style a bit cold and aloof, but I just didn't see her that way. Everyone has their own, valid opinions, likes, and dislikes. I know this forum is more focused on ballet lovers and patrons who support the art on the other side of the footlights; I participated during much of my life on the stage side. But I also attended many performances of touring companies, too. I learn a lot reading this forum. Thanks, all...

I really do love to hear praises sung of Cynthia Gregory. I have always considered her to be one of the greatest American dancers to ever grace the stage. She is also a very sweet person. I met her when she came back and guested with SFB (this, after she had left the company for ABT). Lew Christensen saw her tremendous promise; she was a star at SFB at a very young age. I believe she performed her first Odette/Odile with ABT in her hometown of San Francisco. Someone told me (a reliable source) that he saw her sitting in the hallway backstage several hours before the performance looking at a comic book, like she didn't have a care in the world. I've always loved this story. I wasn't there, so I cannot say if it is a true story, but I really like to believe it is!

Hi gracey...I couldn't find it either...I think I'll check back in a few days and see if it is available then...Gina

Thank you so much for this post. I have been looking forward to this film ever since I was aware of the reunion held a few years ago. I can't wait to see it! I am just so excited and grateful that a record of this extraordinary company of artists has finally come to life! P.S. I just went to the filmmaker's website and downloaded the press kit to see what was there. There are many photos of the dancers who were interviewed (including my teacher, Alan Howard) as they looked in their dancing days and recently, for the film, I assume. I just loved seeing what these fabulous dancers looked like in recent times...WOW...biographies, too! Lots of information...

John Hart set "Fille" for SFB in the late 70s. Everyone was surprised at his choice for first cast Lise. It was not the light, sweet, charming and very wonderful principal dancer (Diana Weber) that everyone assumed would be first cast. He picked the earthy, dramatic, and also lovely soloist/principal (Anita Paciotti) to dance opening night. I wonder if this is what Ashton envisioned for his Lise...wasn't it Nadia Nerina? I never had the pleasure of seeing her dance...

That was fun. August Bournonville....hmmm....

Lew Christensen's choreography for "Waltz of the Flowers" in The Nutcracker...absolutely exquisite! Concerto Barocco (the corps is the "star") Serenade (my favorite Balanchine ballet...gorgeous corps choreography) Giselle Act 2 (those Wili's arabesque hops...hard to top that!) Another vote for Entrance of the Swans in Act 2 of Swan Lake... No one has mentioned "Les Sylphides"...I love the corps in this ballet.