Barbara

I would humbly suggest that Stella Abrera pick up some of Julie's roles. In addition, still hoping to hear about a promotion for Abrera!

Thank you for posting this series, Cristian! It's been very enjoyable and now I look forward to the next one.

Re "no problem" as a customer service response - many years ago I organized a major business meeting at a Ritz Carlton in Palm Springs. The staff were trained to say "it's my pleasure" whenever they were complimented. Sounds much more elegant, right? Except by the end of the weekend I thought I would scream if I heard it another time I think a simple "you're welcome" would do just fine. Regionally, when I moved from Calif to NY I was struck by the phrase, "Are you going to (insert question) or no?" Why add "or no" and if so, shouldn't it be "or not"? Another peeve was leaving out "at" in a phrase such as, "I left my bag home" instead of "at home". One more peeve: "I should have went" instead of "gone".

Thanks for your reply, zerbinetta. I believe priority exchange week will be the week of March 22nd before individual tickets go on sale to the general public. So, yes chances are that good seating may already be taken by season ticket holders. I didn't know that info re the four dancers you mentioned. Good to know. Thanks again.

Well here's my second annual ticketing question for you experts that attend the ABT Met season much more than I do. Last year I bought (for the first time!) a 4-performance package. I exchanged one of the tickets during the priority exchange week and added another individual ticket. All in all it was a nice season for me and I thought my seats were decent (Dress Circle). So this year I thought I'd upgrade to a 6-performance package and maybe add another individual ticket if the mood struck me - the problem is that I don't see any packages that suit me. (I make my selections based mostly on casting.) I spent some time on the phone today speaking to a helpful person at the box office. It appears that my choices are thus: Buy a 6-performance package and exchange 3 or 4 of the 6. This seems like a lot of exchanging. Or (and this was his suggestion) wait until March when they offer the "create your own" package and get exactly what I want. (Barring casting changes, which I know is always a possibility.) I'm afraid good seating might be unavailable at that late date. BTW, he said I would have to call back in February to find out when in March that is offered. Any advice for me? Thanks in advance!

CSULB - my alma mater. I wish they had had a Dance major when I went there in the late 60s. I was a Social Work major and took the only dance classes they had which was in the PE Dept. But I added private classes with Audrey Share and Valerie Silver, two amazing women that both somehow ended up in Long Beach. Thanks for the memories and good luck!

To me the man looks a little like Eugene Loring.

Lincoln Center Fan, I'm a huge David Hallberg fan too but you could never go wrong by adding another performance in order to see fantastic Marcelo Gomes at the Sat matinee. That's when I'm going and can hardly wait! Hopefully the corps will have recovered from their "wobbles" and can put it behind them. Poor things - I'm sure they were heartbroken to have such a performance.

Yes kfw, I just ordered "Remembering Nureyev" from Amazon at $23.07 (don't ask me how they come up with that odd figure?!?) and by adding the Toni Bentley "Winter Season", which I've never read, I was eligible for free shipping - can't beat that!

Very tightly crossed fingers for the Giselle debut. I think she and Hallberg have the potential to be brilliant!

Yes Christian, please weigh in. I've always wondered about the Pacino Scarface accent.

I'm embarrassed to admit I saw that regrettable little movie "Penelope" starring Christina Ricci and James McAvoy. I only saw it because I think he's brilliant and have seen everything he's been in since "The Last King of Scotland". But for some unknown reason in "Penelope", which is set in London, nearly all the British/Scots actors are attempting American accents. It was if someone said, "Here's a little movie no one will see, come on board and try out your American accent." Well I still love James and it wasn't that the accent was bad exactly, it just didn't sound like his voice at all. Could it have been dubbed? I think he has an action movie coming out with Angelina Jolie. Saw a trailer recently and it sounded like another American accent. Hope it goes better this time.

How right you are, Haglunds. I just watched Marcelo as VonRothbart on YouTube and Saturday's performance was even more deliciously seductive. How could you NOT fall under his spell.

Thanks Faux Pas for helping me understand the inherent differences between Hallberg and Gomes as partners. Both so different and yet utterly compelling in their own right. To see them both on stage in the same ballet is a real treat. I wish I had been able to see the opposite casting of Hallberg as von Rothbart and Gomes as the Prince.

Maybe I misspoke in saying that Ms. Part omitted the beats and arms. They were there to be sure, but the beats were very very slow and the arms barely "waved". I've seen many other ballerinas do these things to heartbreaking effect (admittedly, not Markova), which made me wonder if Ms. Part's interpretation might be just that, a choice she made. Any thoughts?

Haglunds, I had the same feeling about the Hallberg/Part relationship. I felt there was little chemistry between the two of them; something he definitely has with Wiles. This is my first time seeing Part and I have a question about her interpretation/execution. As Odette she didn't do the lightning fast beats sur le coup de pied nor did she do the mesmerizing undulating swan arms as she bourees off the stage. What's up? These are two things I've come to expect and look forward to seeing. I was rather surprised that Part omits them. Can anyone shed light for me?

Hello Alan, Sorry I didn't see your query until today. I did a quick Google of the lovely Sallie Whalen and see that she passed away a few years ago. Here's the link I found. She was a wonderfully warm and gracious lady who I remember fondly. RIP. http://www.backstage.com/bso/news_reviews/...t_id=1001806175

I received the Leo Lerman book for Christmas and starting it has been a little daunting for me. I've begun it a few times and then drifted to other books. Thanks for the suggestion to start by reading about the people that are of interest to me. I'll try that.

It's funny, I always had the impression that Bujones was tall. Maybe because of his long lean musculature. In any case, he was one of my favorites and so sad that he's no longer with us. BTW, for those of you that mentioned it before - I can't seem to find the Black Swan nor Paquita You Tubes with him and Gregory. Any clues as to how to search for them? Thanks!

Haglund's, I'm glad you mentioned Salstein - he's another dancer ripe for promotion IMO. And as I've mentioned before, I'm also a big Hoven and Abrera fan. I'm still crossing my fingers that McKenzie has some "up from the ranks" promotions up his sleeve. Anyone know if there is a typical time that promotions are announced? After Met season but before City Center maybe?

My Nancy Ellison ABT book, pre-ordered from Amazon, arrived today! My goodness - I'll have to get a larger coffee table. I've only had time to open a few pages and can't wait to really dig in. It's beautiful!

Mel, you make me laugh!

Haglund's, you are too funny I am also so looking forward to seeing ABT again. I guessed incorrectly as to which Giselle Abrera/Hallberg would be performing so you'll see me in the exchange queue as soon as I get my season tix. I think theirs will be a transcendent performance, the roles perfect for their personas.

I would appeal to Mr. McKenzie to promote Stella Abrera to Principal and Blaine Hoven to Soloist as soon as humanly possible!

Heads up! The whole group is going to be on Orah today.