sf_herminator

Julian's post earlier today: https://www.instagram.com/p/Ccdav08JY9x/

From SFB's IG: Tonight will be Ulrik Birkkjaer's final performance. https://www.instagram.com/p/CcbERzrFmUx/ He is retiring from the stage to focus on the dance festival he started last year. In tonight's program, he will partner Sarah Van Patten in the Diamonds PDD and the Balcony Scene from Romeo & Juliet. Another dancer I will miss very much.

Mr. Tomasson has planned the 2023 Rep Season, as Tamara will be joining in the latter part of 2022: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/11/arts/dance/tamara-rojo-artistic-director-san-francisco-ballet.html. Also, Mr. Tomasson will oversee the scheduling of the 9 new works at the request of the board: https://nobhillgazette.com/last-dance/

Tonight was the final performance of Program 6. I had the opportunity to see 5 of the 7 performances. Without.a doubt, as a whole program this one was my favorite. Prism was a great start to the evening and the momentum built with each work that followed. Finale Finale, a world premiere by Wheeldon is a fun work and the dancers look like they are having a ball on the stage. The Promised Land, Dwight Rhoden's second work for SFB, takes you on an incredible journey and the dancers definitely rise to the challenge of the complex choreography. This was the cast for tonight's performance, but there were some changes: Friday, April 15, 8:00 PM Tonight we celebrate Principal Pianist Roy Bogas upon his retirement after performing with San Francisco Ballet for 65 years. PRISM Conductor: Martin West Piano: Roy Bogas First Movement SASHA DE SOLA, MAX CAUTHORN, LONNIE WEEKS Luca Ferrò, Joshua Jack Price, Jacob Seltzer Alexis Aiudi, Thamires Chuvas, SunMin Lee, Carmela Mayo, Lauren Parrott, Tyla Steinbach Second Movement YUAN YUAN TAN, TIIT HELIMETS Kamryn Baldwin, Samantha Bristow, Anatalia Hordov, Blake Johnston, Elizabeth Mateer, Swane Messaoudi, Pemberley Ann Olson Andris Kundzins, Nathaniel Remez, Alexander Reneff-Olson, John-Paul Simoens, Mingxuan Wang, Joseph Warton, Adrian Zeisel Third Movement JULIAN MACKAY with Ensemble FINALE FINALE Conductor: Martin West DORES ANDRÉ, JOSEPH WALSH, ISABELLA DEVIVO ISABELLA DEVIVO, BENJAMIN FREEMANTLE, ELLEN ROSE HUMMEL ELIZABETH POWELL, CAVAN CONLEY, ESTEBAN HERNANDEZ THE PROMISED LAND Conductor: Martin West Cello: Eric Sung LUCAS ERNI THAMIRES CHUVAS, JULIAN MACKAY DORES ANDRÉ, DANIEL DEIVISON-OLIVEIRA WANTING ZHAO, Benjamin Freemantle ELIZABETH POWELL, MAX CAUTHORN JENNIFER STAHL, HENRY SIDFORD Gabriela Gonzalez, John-Paul Simoens Pemberley Ann Olson, Rubén Cítores Blake Johnston, Nathaniel Remez Elizabeth Mateer, Estéban Cuadrado 0. THE WAVE Led by Lucas Erni John-Paul Simoens, Gabriela Gonzalez, Nathaniel Remez 1. REMEMBER Led by Thamires Chuvas, Julian MacKay Lucas Erni 2. RELIVE Led by Dores André, Daniel Deivison-Oliveira Wanting Zhao, Benjamin Freemantle 3. NEVER LAND Led by Elizabeth Powell, Max Cauthorn 4. REFLECT Led by Jennifer Stahl, Henry Sidford 5. REIMAGINE Led by Thamires Chuvas, Julian MacKay 6. THE PROMISE Ensemble After the bows for Prism, Martin West came onstage to honor Roy Bogas (who was the pianist for the Beethoven Piano Concerto). Mr. Bogas was retiring after 65 seasons!! Helgi Tomasson also came onstage to say a few words. It was a wonderful acknowledgement of his contributions to the company. There is an interview with Mr. Bogas posted to the SFB YouTube page yesterday: Congratulations Mr. Bogas on your retirement and thank you for your work over the years for the company!! Just before the curtain went up after the first intermission, an announcement was made regarding the cast changes for Finale Finale and The Promised Land. Although always a surprise when these changes are announced, it was great to have Benjamin Freemantle dance in both pieces tonight as this turned out to be his final performance with SFB. Same with Julian Mackay. Wishing both of them the best in the next stage of their careers!!

Just got home from tonight's performance of Program 6. I will post more in the Program 6 thread, but will note that there was another cast change in The Promised Land. Earlier this week, Angelo Greco and Wona Park were listed as the first principal couple but was changed to Julian Mackay and Thamires Chuvas. Just before Finale Finale, an announcement was made that Benjamin Freemantle and WanTing Zhao would dance in place of Daniel Deivison Oliveira. At the end of the performance after the cast took their bows, Helgi Tomasson came onstage and had Benjamin Freemantle and Julian Mackay take an additional bow. Although there was no formal announcement in the house, this performance tonight was their final with the company.

In the Pointes of View Lecture which preceded the Wednesday 4/13 performance of Program 5, Mary Wood asked Helgi Tomasson a question regarding the 2023 Season and new works. Helgi replied that the season will include 9 new works. Here is a link to the clip from YouTube, which hopefully will go right to the point when the question is asked at 45:23 - As the season announcement will be coming soon (probably during the Swan Lake run), I thought it would be fun to speculate on who the choreographers will be. Here is a list based on who has previously choreographed here in recent years for SFB and some wishes for new choreographers (NOTE: I did not include Wheeldon & Rhoden since they both created works this year. However, I would not be unhappy if they were invited to be a part of this festival.): Mark Morris (he was scheduled to create a new work in 2021, Sandpaper Ballet performance from 2020 season presented virtually) Danielle Rowe (scheduled for 2021, created Wooden Dimes for the virtual season) Myles Thatcher (scheduled for 2021, created Colorforms for the virtual season) Justin Peck (created 2 new works, SFB also performed Rodeo-Four Dance Episodes) David Dawson (created Anima Animus for Unbound) Edwaard Liang (created Symphonic Dances and The Infinite Ocean) Alexei Ratmansky (wishing for a new work created exclusively for SFB) William Forsythe (same as above) Lauren Lovette (another hopeful wish) Benjamin Millepied Crystal Pite (an additional wish, not sure if she has created a piece for an American ballet company) Trey McIntyre (has created 2 rep works and 1 gala piece) a local representative such as Alonzo King or Margaret Jenkins

Also previously announced departures: Sarah Van Patten (Farewell performance Saturday 4/16) Madison Keesler: https://www.instagram.com/p/CakTqb_p2ob/

Starting this thread to keep track of the dancer roster changes. Benjamin Freemantle has posted on his IG (and FB) that he is leaving at the end of the season: https://www.instagram.com/p/CcYhWIGv6EQ/ Ulrik Birkkjaer also posted after Program 4 that this will be his last season: https://www.instagram.com/p/CbWBi2vPJPk/ Tonight, Julian Mackay will be dancing in both Prism and The Promised Land in his final performance with SFB: https://www.sfballet.org/tickets/casting/ Friday, April 15, 8:00 PM Tonight we celebrate Principal Pianist Roy Bogas upon his retirement after performing with San Francisco Ballet for 65 years. PRISM Conductor: Martin West Piano: Roy Bogas First Movement SASHA DE SOLA, MAX CAUTHORN, LONNIE WEEKS Luca Ferrò, Joshua Jack Price, Jacob Seltzer Alexis Aiudi, Thamires Chuvas, SunMin Lee, Carmela Mayo, Lauren Parrott, Tyla Steinbach Second Movement YUAN YUAN TAN, TIIT HELIMETS Kamryn Baldwin, Samantha Bristow, Anatalia Hordov, Blake Johnston, Elizabeth Mateer, Swane Messaoudi, Pemberley Ann Olson Andris Kundzins, Nathaniel Remez, Alexander Reneff-Olson, John-Paul Simoens, Mingxuan Wang, Joseph Warton, Adrian Zeisel Third Movement JULIAN MACKAY with Ensemble FINALE FINALE Conductor: Martin West DORES ANDRÉ, JOSEPH WALSH ISABELLA DEVIVO, BENJAMIN FREEMANTLE ELIZABETH POWELL, CAVAN CONLEY, ESTEBAN HERNANDEZ THE PROMISED LAND Conductor: Martin West Cello: Eric Sung LUCAS ERNI THAMIRES CHUVAS, JULIAN MACKAY DORES ANDRÉ, DANIEL DEIVISON-OLIVEIRA ELIZABETH POWELL, MAX CAUTHORN JENNIFER STAHL, HENRY SIDFORD Gabriela Gonzalez, John-Paul Simoens Pemberley Ann Olson, Rubén Cítores Blake Johnston, Nathaniel Remez Elizabeth Mateer, Estéban Cuadrado 0. THE WAVE Led by Lucas Erni John-Paul Simoens, Gabriela Gonzalez, Nathaniel Remez 1. REMEMBER Led by Thamires Chuvas, Julian MacKay Lucas Erni 2. RELIVE Led by Dores André, Daniel Deivison-Oliveira 3. NEVER LAND Led by Elizabeth Powell, Max Cauthorn 4. REFLECT Led by Jennifer Stahl, Henry Sidford 5. REIMAGINE Led by Thamires Chuvas, Julian MacKay 6. THE PROMISE Ensemble

Some changes to casting (which I will update in the initial post): Julian MacKay now dancing opening night in Prism (replacing Angelo Greco - who is still casted for The Promised Land) Lucas Erni now dancing in Prism (replacing Julian MacKay)

Principal Casting for the first 2 performances of Program 6 is up (CASTING - San Francisco Ballet (sfballet.org)), which opens Wednesday 4/6: PROGRAM 6 PRISM Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven Choreographer: Helgi Tomasson Costume Design: Martin Pakledinaz Lighting Design: Mark Stanley FINALE FINALE (WORLD PREMIERE) Composer: Darius Milhaud Choreographer: Christopher Wheeldon Costume Design: Reid Bartelme and Harriet Jung Lighting Design: Alexander V. Nichols THE PROMISED LAND (WORLD PREMIERE) Composers: Philip Glass, Luke Howard, Kirill Richter, Rodrigo Sigal, Hans Zimmer Choreographer: Dwight Rhoden Costume Design: Christine Darch Lighting Design: Michael Korsch Assistant to the Choreographer: Clifford Williams Wednesday, April 6, 7:30 PM PRISM Sasha De Sola, Max Cauthorn, Lonnie Weeks Yuan Yuan Tan, Tiit Helimets Julian MacKay Angelo Greco FINALE FINALE Dores André, Joseph Walsh Isabella DeVivo, Benjamin Freemantle Elizabeth Powell, Cavan Conley, Esteban Hernandez THE PROMISED LAND Esteban Hernandez Frances Chung, Angelo Greco WanTing Zhao, Benjamin Freemantle Isabella DeVivo, Joseph Walsh Sasha De Sola, Wei Wang Thursday, April 7, 7:30 PM PRISM Norika Matsuyama, Henry Sidford, Mingxuan Wang Sasha Mukhamedov, Luke Ingham Lucas Erni Julian MacKay FINALE FINALE Dores André, Joseph Walsh Isabella DeVivo, Benjamin Freemantle Elizabeth Powell, Cavan Conley, Esteban Hernandez THE PROMISED LAND Esteban Hernandez Wona Park, Angelo Greco WanTing Zhao, Benjamin Freemantle Isabella DeVivo, Joseph Walsh Sasha De Sola, Wei Wang Casting is subject to change without notice. PRODUCTION CREDITS: Prism — Music: Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major, Op. 15. Costumes constructed by Barbara Matera, Ltd., New York, New York. Fabric dyeing by Dye-Namix, New York, New York. Finale Finale (World Premiere) — Finale Finale© by Christopher Wheeldon. Produced by San Francisco Ballet in collaboration with the Impossible Festival, Mexico. Music: Le Bœuf sur le toit, Op. 58. Costumes constructed by Colin Davis Jones Studios, New York, New York. The Promised Land (World Premiere) — Music: The Secret Agent for Solo Cello, "Primacy of Number" from Naqoyqatsi and Song V from Songs and Poems for Solo Cello by Philip Glass, © 1995, 2001 Dunvagen Music Publishers Inc. used by permission; Prelude for a Single Voice and The Map Is Not the Territory by Luke Howard, used by permission of the composer; Chronos by Kirill Richter, used by permission of the composer; Original composition by Rodrigo Sigal; "Time" from Inception by Hans Zimmer, © 2010 Universal Music Corp. and Warne Olive Music LLC, used by permission. Costumes constructed by Christine Darch. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ NOTEWORTHY: The first appearance of Julian MacKay!! Looks like he is the leading man in the third movement of Prism in Thursday's performance.

Principal Casting for the first 3 performances of Program 5 is up (CASTING - San Francisco Ballet (sfballet.org), which opens Saturday 4/2: PROGRAM 5 THE FIFTH SEASON Composer: Karl Jenkins Choreographer: Helgi Tomasson Scenic Design and Costume Design: Sandra Woodall Lighting Design: Michael Mazzola HARMONY (WORLD PREMIERE) Composer: Jean-Philippe Rameau Choreographer: Helgi Tomasson Scenic and Costume Design: Emma Kingsbury Lighting Design: Jim French MAGRITTOMANIA Composer: Yuri Krasavin after Ludwig van Beethoven Choreographer: Yuri Possokhov Scenic and Costume Design: Thyra Hartshorn Lighting Design: Kevin Connaughton Saturday, April 2, 8:00 PM THE FIFTH SEASON Dores André, Benjamin Freemantle Sarah Van Patten, Luke Ingham Yuan Yuan Tan, Tiit Helimets HARMONY Wona Park, Max Cauthorn Misa Kuranaga, Angelo Greco MAGRITTOMANIA Yuan Yuan Tan, Joseph Walsh Max Cauthorn, Esteban Hernandez, Wei Wang Sunday, April 3, 2:00 PM THE FIFTH SEASON Frances Chung, Max Cauthorn Sarah Van Patten, Luke Ingham Yuan Yuan Tan, Tiit Helimets HARMONY Norika Matsuyama, Joshua Jack Price Sasha De Sola, Wei Wang MAGRITTOMANIA Jennifer Stahl, Luke Ingham Steven Morse, Henry Sidford, Lonnie Weeks Tuesday, April 5, 7:30 PM THE FIFTH SEASON Dores André, Benjamin Freemantle Sasha Mukhamdov, John-Paul Simeons Sarah Van Patten, Luke Ingham HARMONY Wona Park, Max Cauthorn Misa Kuranaga, Angelo Greco MAGRITTOMANIA Dores Andre, Tiit Helimets Steven Morse, Henry Sidford, Lonnie Weeks Casting is subject to change without notice. PRODUCTION CREDITS: The Fifth Season — Music: String Quartet No. 2 and “Largo” from Palladio, used by arrangement with Boosey & Hawkes, Inc., publisher and copyright holder. Costumes constructed by Birgit Pfeffer, Groveland, California. Handpainting by Connie Strayer, Los Altos, California. Scenic construction and painting by San Francisco Ballet Carpentry and Scenic Departments. Harmony (World Premiere) — Music: All music is by Jean-Philippe Rameau from Nouvelles suites de pièces de clavecin (1727); Les Boréades: Act 4, Scene 4 (1763); Pièces de clavecin en Concerts: Cinquieme concert (1741); Pigmalión: Scene V, 2nd Pantomime (1748). Costumes constructed by Colin Davis Jones Studios, New York, New York. Scenic construction and painting by San Francisco Ballet Carpentry and Scenic Departments. Magrittomania — Music: Selections by Ludwig van Beethoven, arranged by Yuri Krasavin: Diabelli Variations, Op. 120 (Variation No. 33); Bagatelle in A minor for Piano, Op. 59 "Fur Elise"; Piano Concerto No. 1 in C major, Op. 15 (Mvt. 3); Piano Sonata No. 7 in D major, Op. 10/3; Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat major, Op. 73 "Emperor" (Mvt. 1); Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92 (Mvt. 2); Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, Op. 55 "Eroica" (Mvt. 4); Piano Sonata No. 21 in C major, Op. 53 "Waldstein" (Mvt. 3); Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor, Op. 57 "Appassionata" (Mvt.1). Yuri Krasavin: Excerpts from film scores. Costumes constructed by Cincinnati Ballet Costume Shop, Diana Vandergriff, Supervisor. Scenic construction and painting by San Francisco Ballet Carpentry and Scenic Departments. All photographs taken by Thyra Hartshorn, except photograph of GUM in Moscow, Russia, taken by Damian Smith.

Digital Program Book for Programs 5 & 6 is now available: 2022 PROGRAM BOOKS - San Francisco Ballet (sfballet.org) Program 5 (opening Saturday 4/2) includes: Harmony - the last new work by Helgi Tomasson The Fifth Season - one of Helgi's best-loved works to Karl Jenkins returns as part of his final season as Artistic Director Magrittomania - Yuri Possokhov's first creation for SFB, a quirky take on the works of painter Rene Magritte with music by and inspired by Beethoven Program 6 (opening Wednesday 4/6) contains: Prism - Helgi Tomasson's work set to a Beethoven Piano Concerto Finale Finale - a world premiere by Christopher Wheeldon The Promised Land - a world premiere by Dwight Rhoden

Ratmansky was in SF last week when his The Seasons made its long-awaited premiere: https://www.instagram.com/p/CbNeqYCgoZz/ He also had a world premiere in the opening gala this past Thursday, but I did not attend the performance, did not see any posts on IG with him, nor did I ask the dancers at the post-performance celebration at City Hall. Searching IG for any pics and will share the link if I find any.

Here are a few links: https://schoolofballet.eu/about/artistic-team/eva-kloborg/ http://www.frank-andersen.com/eva-kloborg.aspx

It's now posted CASTING - San Francisco Ballet (sfballet.org) and I also posted as a new topic.

Principal casting posted for the first 4 performances of Program 4 - CASTING - San Francisco Ballet (sfballet.org) LA SYLPHIDE Composer: Herman Løvenskiold Choreographer: August Bournonville Production Directed by: Helgi Tomasson Staged by: Helgi Tomasson with Anita Paciotti and Katita Waldo Additional Coaching by: Ulrik Birkkjaer Scenic and Costume Design: Jose Varona Lighting Design: Sara Linnie Slocum THE SEASONS Composer: Alexander Glazunov Choreographer: Alexei Ratmansky Staged by: Nancy Raffa Costume Design: Robert Perdziola Costume Design Assistant: Caitlin Rain Lighting Design: Mark Stanley La Sylphide - Music: La Sylphide. Costumes constructed by Dallas Ballet Costume Department, Dallas, Texas. Additional costumes constructed by San Francisco Ballet Wardrobe Department. The Seasons (SF Ballet Premiere) - Music: The Seasons, Op. 67. Costumes constructed by Colin Davis Jones Studios, New York, NY; Euro Co Costumes, New York, NY; Krostyne Studio, Pittsburg, PA; Tricorne, Inc., New York, NY. Millinery by Lynne Mackey Studio, New York, NY; Rodney Gordon, Inc., New York, NY. Fabric Printing and Dyeing by Dyenamix Inc., New York, NY. The Seasons is a co-production with American Ballet Theatre. Tuesday, March 15, 7:30 PM LA SYLPHIDE The Sylph: Sarah Van Patten James: Ulrik Birkkjaer Gürn: Esteban Hernandez Effy: Ellen Rose Hummel Madge: Eva Kloborg* *Guest Artist THE SEASONS Winter: Tiit Helimets, Dores André, Yuan Yuan Tan, Sasha De Sola, Madison Keesler Spring: Angelo Greco, Elizabeth Powell, Wona Park Summer: Misa Kuranaga, Joseph Walsh Autumn: Isabella DeVivo, Benjamin Freemantle Wednesday, March 16, 7:30 PM LA SYLPHIDE The Sylph: Dores André James: Max Cauthorn Gürn: Cavan Conley Effy: Lauren Parrott Madge: Anita Paciotti THE SEASONS Winter: Luke Ingham, WanTing Zhao, Sasha De Sola, Sarah Van Patten Spring: Wei Wang, Julia Rowe, Isabella DeVivo Summer: Frances Chung, Lucas Erni Autumn: Misa Kuranaga, Daniel Deivison-Oliveira Thursday, March 17, 7:30 PM LA SYLPHIDE The Sylph: Wona Park James: Joseph Walsh Gürn: Lucas Erni Effy: Julia Rowe Madge: Eva Kloborg* *Guest Artist THE SEASONS Winter: Tiit Helimets, Jennifer Stahl, Yuan Yuan Tan, Dores André, Madison Keesler Spring: Angelo Greco, Elizabeth Powell, Isabella DeVivo Summer: Misa Kuranaga, Esteban Hernandez Autumn: Sasha De Sola, Steven Morse Friday, March 18, 8:00 PM LA SYLPHIDE The Sylph: Dores André James: Max Cauthorn Gürn: Cavan Conley Effy: Lauren Parrott Madge: Eva Kloborg* *Guest Artist THE SEASONS Winter: Luke Ingham, Jennifer Stahl, WanTing Zhao, Sasha De Sola, Sarah Van Patten Spring: Angelo Greco, Elizabeth Powell, Wona Park Summer: Misa Kuranaga, Joseph Walsh Autumn: Isabella DeVivo, Benjamin Freemantle Casting is subject to change without notice.

Ushers do not hand out program books or casting sheets anymore. Program Books are placed on tables in various locations for attendees to get themselves. Paper casting sheets are no longer given. Instead, there are stands on each level which list the casting. There is also a QR code which will link to the casting page on the SFB website. Another change: no more standing tickets. Only Level 8 (and maybe Level 7) students are allowed to stand. The head usher will oversee this. EXCEPTION: I did not get back in time after intermission to sit in my seat during Program 2, so I had to stand in the back of Orchestra for the second piece (In the Night).

I went back and checked my emails to see if I received anything prior to the performance. I found emails I received 3 days before the performance. The subject line would be 'You have tickets to Program X on MON D 2022 Time' or 'You have tickets to Don Quixote on Mar 4 2022 8:00 PM' (this email received 3/1 - 3 days before the performance). Scrolling through the email there are links for the 'online program book' and 'casting' as well as any other links to information on the performance on the website. There is also information about COVID 19 protocols, where to eat in the opera house, FAQs, etc. If you do not see this in your Inbox, I would recommend checking your spam or junk folder. If you still do not see anything, then definitely contact Ticket & Patron Services.

That's unfortunate.... And I found the program book because I started poking around the site to see if casting was up.....

Digital Program Book for Program 4 is now available. The long-awaited return of Bournonville's La Sylphide and the long-awaited SFB premiere of Ratmansky's The Seasons are on this program: https://www.sfballet.org/tickets/2022-season/2022-program-books/#program-4

Casting News: For the Friday 3/4 and Sunday 3/6 performances, Wei Wang will now dance Basilio to Sasha De Sola's Kitri. How did this happen? Here is the principal casting listed for Tuesday 3/1 (Kitri & Basilio only, but full casting available (CASTING - San Francisco Ballet (sfballet.org) - click on the performance date): ACT I: Town Square in Barcelona Kitri: SASHA DE SOLA Basilio: AARON ROBISON ACT II, Scene One: Spanish Countryside Kitri: SASHA DE SOLA Basilio: JOSEPH WALSH ACT III: The Wedding, Town Square Kitri: WONA PARK Basilio: JOSEPH WALSH On Thursday, Sasha posted on her IG stories that Wei was now dancing Basilio with her on Friday and Sunday. I then checked the site for casting and saw the update. Looking forward to seeing them dance tonight. On another note and a reminder: full casting for each performance is posted just prior to the performance. Casting sheets are no longer handed out. Instead, there are stands on each level which have the casting with a QR code which will open up the casting page on the SFB website. This practice started during Nutcracker. I can also report that although on both Saturday night and Wednesday night, although it was not a full house the audience has been very responsive. I will try to post more before the end of the run. I will be attending tonight and tomorrow night.

Principal casting for Thursday 2/3 and Friday 2/4 now up - https://www.sfballet.org/tickets/casting/ Thursday, March 3, 7:30 PM Kitri: Wona Park Basilio: Joseph Walsh Don Quixote: Alexander Reneff-Olson Sancho Panza: Davide Occhipinti Mercedes: Madison Keesler Espada: Cavan Conley Friday, March 4, 8:00 PM Kitri: Sasha De Sola Basilio: Aaron Robison Don Quixote: Tiit Helimets Sancho Panza: Diego Cruz Mercedes: Sasha Mukhamedov Espada: John-Paul Simoens Casting is subject to change without notice. Since debuts are not being noted, from my recollection these are the debuts of what has posted so far: Misa Kuranaga debuts as Kitri in this production (most likely has done Don Q at Boston Ballet if it is in their rep) John-Paul Simeons as Espada Dores Andres as Mercedes (she danced Kitri in 2019 and one of Kitri's friends in 2015) Sasha Mukhamedov as Mercedes Tiit Helimets as Don Quixote (danced Basilio in 2007) Currently, I will be attending both Saturday performances (2/26 and 3/6 evening), Wednesday 3/2, and Friday 3/5.

I have watched some of these videos. The 'Pointes of View' lectures occurred on Wednesdays at 6 PM prior the scheduled performances. Now they are on FB Live & YouTube Live the day of the performance and will be available through the end of the season. The first was a discussion with Helgi & 'The Three Graces' - former Ballet Mistresses Bonita Borne & Betsy Erickson and current Ballet Mistress/Master Anita Paciotti. The second focuses on 'In The Night' which was part of Program 2. The 'Talking Dance' videos are short & entertaining, with the dancer walking us through their thoughts while going through what we are seeing on the screen. One is of Luke Ingham talking through a section of 'Caprice', the other is of Mathilde Froustey as Kitri in Act 3 of Don Q. Definitely worth checking out.

More principal casting - https://www.sfballet.org/tickets/casting/ Sunday, February 27, 2:00 PM Kitri: Wona Park Basilio: Joseph Walsh Don Quixote: Alexander Reneff-Olson Sancho Panza: Davide Occhipinti Mercedes: Jennifer Stahl Espada: John-Paul Simoens Tuesday, March 1, 7:30 PM Kitri: Sasha De Sola Basilio: Aaron Robison Don Quixote: Tiit Helimets Sancho Panza: Diego Cruz Mercedes: Dores Andre Espada: Daniel Deivison-Olivera Wednesday, March 2, 7:30 PM Kitri: Misa Kuranaga Basilio: Angelo Greco Don Quixote: Jim Sohm Sancho Panza: Pascal Molat Mercedes: Sarah Van Patten Espada: Luke Ingham Casting is subject to change without notice.

Don Quixote opens Saturday 2/26 at 8 PM. Principal casting has been posted: https://www.sfballet.org/tickets/casting/ DON QUIXOTE Composer: Ludwig Minkus Choreographer: Alexander Gorsky after Marius Petipa Staging and Additional Choreography: Helgi Tomasson and Yuri Possokhov Scenic and Costume Design: Martin Pakledinaz Lighting Design: James F. Ingalls Associate Scenic Designer: Arnulfo Maldonado Associate Costume Designer: Heather Lockard Author of Don Quixote: Miguel de Cervantes Kitri: Misa Kuranaga Basilio: Angelo Greco Don Quixote: Jim Sohm Sancho Panza: Pascal Molat Mercedes: Sarah Van Patten Espada: Luke Ingham Casting is subject to change without notice.