sf_herminator

An addition to the family for Luke Ingham & Danielle Rowe:  

Casting for Friday 1/24 is now up  - https://www.sfballet.org/tickets/casting/

Fri, Jan 24 at 8:00 pm

Cinderella: Misa Kuranaga*^†
Prince Guillaume: Angelo Greco*
Stepmother: Maggie Weirich
Stepsister Edwina: Madison Keesler
Stepsister Clementine: Isabella DeVivo
Benjamin: Hansuke Yamamoto

There will be a Meet the Artist interview at 7:00 pm, but no word on the artist to be interviewed - link to Meet the Artist (which includes the schedule for the season):  https://www.sfballet.org/calendar/meet-the-artist-interviews/.   

On 1/7/2020 at 5:02 PM, pherank said:

The things that catch my eye:

I'd like to hear about Jennifer Stahl, Elizabeth Powell and Tiit Helimets in the Caniparoli premiere. I don't think I've seen Helimets dance with Stahl before, and certainly never with Powell.

Definitely would like to hear about the Danielle Rowe piece. André and Walsh should be high energy.

Sylve dancing Swan Lake roles is unusual these days. a farewell to the classics?

YYT and Vitor Luiz in his farewell dance will be emotional.

OK, the Mukhamedov and Helimets pairing sounds interesting too.

Jennifer Stahl and Tiit Helimets have danced together a number of times:  Second couple in Robbins' In The Night and Ratmansky's Symphony #9 come to mind.

For Pixie, which was danced in Sun Valley in 2018, is what lead to Danielle Rowe's piece for last year's gala - here is the article:  https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/dance/building-a-dance-step-by-step-for-a-world-premiere-at-sf-ballet-gala.

When Tomasson's Swan Lake returned in 2016 and 2017, Sofiane was one of the Odette/Odile's:  https://balletalert.invisionzone.com/topic/41116-sfb-2016-swan-lake/?tab=comments#comment-366554, https://balletalert.invisionzone.com/topic/42379-2017-season-swan-lake/?tab=comments#comment-379070.

3 hours ago, PeggyR said:

It's good to see my favorites, Chung and Walsh, getting opening night.  And the André/Di Lanno pairing sound interesting, if a little unexpected.  Have they danced together before?

Here is the link to the topic of Cinderella 2017:  https://balletalert.invisionzone.com/topic/42494-sfb-2017-program-8-cinderella/?tab=comments#comment-380088.  Chung and Walsh danced opening night, Andre and DiLanno also danced together in this run.  Sasha was Stepsister Edwina in the last run, but is now Cinderella.  Looking forward to seeing the casts for the rest of the performances.

Casting is now up for the first three performances of Cinderella - https://www.sfballet.org/tickets/casting/

Here's the link to the Press Release, which includes the full program.  

https://www.sfballet.org/discover/press-center/press-releases/release/san-francisco-ballet-presents-the-87th-repertory-season-opening-night-gala-spellbound-on-thursday-january-16-2020/

On 12/6/2019 at 8:19 PM, pherank said:

Still no sign of Vladislav Kozlov. He remains the invisible dancer. Maybe in the last half of the month? Or perhaps he gets to spend December at home in Russia.

Vladislav Kozlov sighting:  He was in the party scene at the Wednesday 7 PM performance.  He was one of the parents.

Casting is now up for the remainder of the Nutcracker run:  https://www.sfballet.org/tickets/casting/

One dancer I've noticed missing (although she was listed in the first week):  Wan Ting Zhao.  

Another debut listed (but now gone from the site as it was this afternoon):  Myles Thatcher & Miranda Silveira as King & Queen of the Snow.  Hopefully someone went and can provide a report.

Casting is now up for the second week of Nutcracker through Sunday 12/22.  Although not noted as debuts, I note the following: 

• Misa Kuranaga will debut Sugar Plum Fairy at the Friday 12/20 2 PM performance.  
• Cavan Conley will debut King of the Snow at the Saturday 12/21 7 PM performance (with Julia Rowe as Queen of the Snow

Also there are two pairs I don't think I have seen dance together:

• Jahna Frantziskonis & Wei Wang as Queen & King of the Snow on Saturday 12/21 at 2 PM
• Elizabeth Powell & Mingxuan Wang as Queen & King of the Snow on Sunday 12/15 at 7 PM

Casting is up for Sunday 12/15.  New Soloist Sasha Mukhamedov will dance the Grand Pas with Tiit Helimets at the 2 PM performance - https://www.sfballet.org/tickets/casting/#sun-dec-15-200-pm.  In the evening performance,  Madison Keesler will debut as Queen of the Snow with Benjamin Freemantle as the King.  https://www.sfballet.org/tickets/casting/#sun-dec-15-700-pm

1 hour ago, Josette said:

Sarah Van Patten is dancing the Grand pas de deux during the first week, which is terrific news. 

Frances Chung, also returning from maternity leave, will be dancing the Grand Pas De Deux on Saturday 12/14 in the evening performance.  Her Nutcracker Prince is Joseph Walsh.  Sarah Van Patten is dancing on Saturday afternoon with Luke Ingham as her Nutcracker Prince.

First week of casting is up:  https://www.sfballet.org/tickets/casting/#wed-dec-11-700-pm

The new site format only will display one performance at a time, but here are some of the notable debuts this week:

• Principal Dancer Misa Kuranaga in the Grand Pas with Angelo Greco on Thursday 12/12 at 7:00 PM
• Corps Dancers Thamires Chuvas and Esteban Cuadrado as Snow Queen & King on Friday 12/13 at 2:00 PM
• Soloist Wona Park as Queen of the Snow with Joseph Walsh on Friday 12/13 at 7:00 PM
• Principal Dancer Benjamin Freemantle as Nutcracker Prince on Friday 12/13 at 7:00 PM
• Soloist Lonnie Weeks as King of the Snow with Elizabeth Powell on Saturday 12/14 at 2:00 PM

Opening Night Cast Wednesday 12/11 at 7:00 PM

Drosselmeyer: Tiit Helimets
Queen and King of the Snow: Yuan Yuan Tan, Carlo Di Lanno
Sugar Plum Fairy: Sasha De Sola
Grand Pas de Deux: Mathilde Froustey, Luke Ingham

12 hours ago, pherank said:

Mathilde Froustey mentioned online that there will be a casting change - she will be dancing with Joe Walsh as Romeo, and her first performance will be on Oct. 31. 

"Last minute casting change!
I’m beyond happy and excited to dance Romeo&Juliet with @josephwalshsf, my brand new and amazing Romeo!
Unfortunately we won’t dance tomorrow, we need at least 24h to get ready, but our 1st show will be on Thursday 31st of October!
One Halloween evening I’ll remember for sure ! "

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4NrveznmS0/

Just checked the casting on the website.  Misa & Angelo will now dance on opening night.  Joe will still be dancing Mercutio on opening night as well as Friday night.  Carlo is still listed for Friday with Mathilde.

https://www.sfballet.org/tickets/casting/

Livestream of Agon rehearsal starting shortly:  https://www.pnb.org/live/?fbclid=IwAR1ieU9hkzUhwOZ1HPvdppa-SxzTTtlzHwwoiLOL01jQuo9oeKyg9GPdgC8

Program for SFB's Stern Grove performance has been posted (https://www.sfballet.org/season/tour#sterngrove)

Stern Grove

19th Ave & Sloat Blvd, San Francisco
July 28

Learn More

A summer favorite returns when San Francisco Ballet, under the leadership of Artistic Director Helgi Tomasson, performs a selection of highlights from their current repertory at Stern Grove Festival. Conductor Martin West leads the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra.

Scotch Symphony
Composer: Felix Mendelssohn
Choreographer: George Balanchine

Diving Into the Lilacs Excerpt
Composer: Boris Tchaikovsky
Choreographer: Yuri Possokhov

The Sleeping Beauty Pas de Deux
Composer: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Choreographer: Helgi Tomasson, after Marius Petipa

Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming
Composers: Anthony Gonzalez, Yann Gonzalez, Bradley Laner, and Justin Meldal-Johnsen
Choreographer: Justin Peck

Misa Kuranaga posted on her Instagram:  

Here’s a link from Pointe Magazine:  https://www.pointemagazine.com/misa-kuranaga-and-sasha-mukhamedov-are-joining-san-francisco-ballet-2638908613.html?rebelltitem=1#rebelltitem1.

Glad to see in the article all of last year’s apprentices are now in the corps - although currently they are still listed under apprentices on the website.  Should be updated soon.

9 hours ago, pherank said:

Paul Parish posted a nice description/review of the SFB School's graduation recital (3 shows) at the Bay Area Reporter:
https://www.ebar.com/arts_&_culture/dance//276764

"The most compelling performer all night was a still-developing dancer, Zoe Zulich, who commanded the stage like a queen and drew your eye at all times. Without the technical chops of some of the stronger women, she nevertheless projected an idea, the Princess Isoline, so vividly, her light shone so bright, that whenever she was offstage you missed her, and when she came back she created the focal point."

I was there and wholeheartedly agree.  But, her name is actually Zoe Lucich (and her name was spelled correctly towards the end of the article).  It also mentions her mother - former SFB Principal Dancer Julia Adam.

Congratulations to WanTing and Ben!!  Well deserved!!

Social Media Posts

FB:  

IG - Wan Ting

IG - Ben

Casting for Saturday Matinee & Evening performances is now up:  https://www.sfballet.org/season/casting

Casting is subject to change.

Saturday, May 11, 2019 – 2:00 pm

Choreography: Alexei Ratmansky
Music: Dmitri Shostakovich

Symphony #9
Conductor: Ming Luke

Mathilde Froustey, Luke Ingham
Dores Andre, Max Cauthorn
Lonnie Weeks

Chamber Symphony
Conductor: Ming Luke

Joseph Walsh
Jahna Frantziskonis
Elizabeth Powell
Sasha De Sola

Piano Concerto #1
Conductor: Ming Luke
Piano: Mungunchimeg Buriad
Trumpet: Adam Luftman

WanTing Zhao, Vladislav Kozlov
Isabella DeVivo, Wei Wang

Debuts:  Symphony #9 - Max Cauthorn, Lonnie Weeks; Chamber Symphony - Elizabeth Powell; Piano Concerto #1 - WanTing Zhao, Vladislav Kozlov, Wei Wang

Saturday, May 11, 2019 – 8:00 pm

Choreography: Alexei Ratmansky
Music: Dmitri Shostakovich
Conductor: Martin West

Symphony #9
Jennifer Stahl, Aaron Robison
Dores Andre, Joseph Walsh
Wei Wang

Chamber Symphony

Ulrik Birkkjaer
Sasha De Sola
Mathilde Froustey
Yuan Yuan Tan

Piano Concerto #1
Piano: Mungunchimeg Buriad
Trumpet: Adam Luftman

Sofiane Sylve, Carlo Di Lanno
Wona Park, Angelo Greco

Casting for Thursday & Friday is up:  https://www.sfballet.org/season/casting

Casting is subject to change.

Thursday, May 9, 2019 – 7:30 pm

Choreography: Alexei Ratmansky
Music: Dmitri Shostakovich

Symphony #9
Conductor: Ming Luke

Mathilde Froustey, Luke Ingham
Sasha De Sola, Esteban Hernandez
Hansuke Yamamoto

Chamber Symphony
Conductor: Martin West

Aaron Robison
Jahna Frantziskonis
Dores Andre
Jennifer Stahl

Piano Concerto #1
Conductor: Martin West
Piano: Mungunchimeg Buriad
Trumpet: Adam Luftman

Yuan Yuan Tan, Tiit Helimets
Isabella Devivo, Vitor Luiz

Friday, May 10, 2019 – 8:00 pm

Choreography: Alexei Ratmansky
Music: Dmitri Shostakovich

Symphony #9
Conductor: Martin West

Mathilde Froustey, Luke Ingham
Sasha De Sola, Esteban Hernandez
Hansuke Yamamoto

Chamber Symphony
Conductor: Ming Luke

Aaron Robison
Jahna Frantziskonis
Dores Andre
Jennifer Stahl

Piano Concerto #1
Conductor: Ming Luke
Piano: Mungunchimeg Buriad
Trumpet: Adam Luftman

Yuan Yuan Tan, Tiit Helimets
Isabella DeVivo, Vitor Luiz

Debuts:  

Symphony #9:  Sasha, Esteban

Chamber Symphony:  Aaron, Jahna, Jennifer

Piano Concerto:  Isabella 

For Bay Area Dance Week, San Francisco Ballet will once again have Fan Fest 10 AM - 2 PM and Company Class Observation 12 Noon-1 PM.  Both are free.  If you wish to attend the Company Class Observation (which will be on the stage of the War Memorial Opera House) you need to sign up.  Here is the link for more information:  https://bayareadance.org/event-details/?e_id=98.  

Posting for opening night is up:  https://www.sfballet.org/season/casting

Casting is subject to change

SHOSTAKOVICH TRILOGY

Tuesday, May 7, 2019 – 7:30 pm

Choreography: Alexei Ratmansky
Music: Dmitri Shostakovich
Conductor: Martin West
 

Symphony #9
Jennifer Stahl, Aaron Robison
Dores Andre, Joseph Walsh
Wei Wang

Chamber Symphony
Ulrik Birkkjaer
Sasha De Sola
Mathilde Froustey
Yuan Yuan Tan

Piano Concerto #1
Sofiane Sylve, Carlo Di Lanno
Wona Park, Angelo Greco

Since role and work debuts are not denoted, I will go from memory.  This will be the first time in Shostakovich Trilogy for Aaron Robison, Ulrik Birkkjaer, Wona Park, and Angelo Greco.  Dores Andre, Joseph Walsh, and Wei Wang are debuting new roles in Symphony #9.  Dores (IIRC) was one of the three women in Chamber Symphony, Joseph Walsh danced the lead in Chamber Symphony, and Wei Wang was in the corps of Piano Concerto #1.  Yuan Yuan Tan is debuting in Chamber Symphony.  Previously she danced one of the principal women in Piano Concerto #1.  I will check my cast sheets later and make updates if needed.

Casting for the final performance of The Little Mermaid is now posted:  https://www.sfballet.org/season/casting

Sunday, April 28, 2019 – 2:00 pm

Choreography: John Neumeier
Music: Lera Auerbach
Conductor: Martin West

The Little Mermaid: Yuan Yuan Tan
Prince / Edvard: Aaron Robison
Poet / Hans Christian Andersen: Ulrik Birkkjaer
Princess / Henriette: Sasha De Sola
Sea Witch: Wei Wang

I suspected Yuan Yuan would get the last show.  But if I am being honest, I was hoping for Tiit Helimets to dance the Poet.  This is nothing against Ulrik, as I like him a lot as well and am looking forward to tonight's performance.  But I would really like to see Yuan Yuan and Tiit dance together in a story ballet before the end of their SFB careers, which we do not know when it will be but.....  I thought it might be possible since Nathaniel Remez will be dancing as the Poet in both Saturday performances.  I also think it would be unique to have Tiit dance The Poet to Yuan Yuan's Mermaid because the last time SFB did The Little Mermaid, Tiit was The Prince.

Casting for performances of The Little Mermaid through Saturday 4/27has been posted:  https://www.sfballet.org/season/casting

Casting is subject to change

THE LITTLE MERMAID

Friday, April 19, 2019 – 8:00 pm

The Little Mermaid: Yuan Yuan Tan
Prince / Edvard: Aaron Robison†*
Poet / Hans Christian Andersen: Ulrik Birkkjaer†*
Princess / Henriette: Sasha De Sola*
Sea Witch: Wei Wang†*

Saturday, April 20, 2019 – 2:00 pm

The Little Mermaid: WanTing Zhao†*
Prince / Edvard: Luke Ingham†*
Poet / Hans Christian Andersen: Tiit Helimets
Princess / Henriette: Dores Andre*
Sea Witch: Benjamin Freemantle†*

Saturday April 20, 2019 – 8:00 pm

The Little Mermaid: Yuan Yuan Tan
Prince / Edvard: Aaron Robison
Poet / Hans Christian Andersen: Ulrik Birkkjaer
Princess / Henriette: Sasha De Sola
Sea Witch: Wei Wang

Tuesday, April 23, 2019 – 7:30 pm

The Little Mermaid: Yuan Yuan Tan
Prince / Edvard: Aaron Robison
Poet / Hans Christian Andersen: Ulrik Birkkjaer
Princess / Henriette: Sasha De Sola
Sea Witch: Wei Wang

Wednesday, April 24, 2019 – 7:30 pm

The Little Mermaid: WanTing Zhao
Prince / Edvard: Luke Ingham
Poet / Hans Christian Andersen: Tiit Helimets
Princess / Henriette: Dores Andre
Sea Witch: Benjamin Freemantle

Thursday, April 25, 2019 – 7:30 pm

The Little Mermaid: Mathilde Froustey
Prince / Edvard: Carlo Di Lanno
Poet / Hans Christian Andersen: Nathaniel Remez
Princess / Henriette: Madison Keesler
Sea Witch: Benjamin Freemantle

Saturday, April 27, 2019 – 2:00 pm

The Little Mermaid: Mathilde Froustey
Prince / Edvard: Carlo Di Lanno
Poet / Hans Christian Andersen: Nathaniel Remez
Princess / Henriette: Madison Keesler
Sea Witch: Benjamin Freemantle

Saturday, April 27, 2019 – 8:00 pm

The Little Mermaid: WanTing Zhao
Prince / Edvard: Luke Ingham
Poet / Hans Christian Andersen: Nathaniel Remez
Princess / Henriette: Madison Keesler
Sea Witch: Benjamin Freemantle