PeggyR Posted December 15, 2015 Share Posted December 15, 2015 Casting through December 20. San Francisco Ballet’s Nutcracker Choreography: Helgi Tomasson Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Wednesday, December 16, 2015 - 7pm--Opening Night Conductor: Martin West Drosselmeyer: Val Caniparoli Queen and King of the Snow: Jennifer Stahl, Luke Ingham Sugar Plum Fairy: Vanessa Zahorian Grand Pas de Deux: Frances Chung, Davit Karapetyan Thursday, December 17, 2015 - 2pm Conductor: Ming Luke Drosselmeyer: Pascal Molat^ Queen and King of the Snow: Sasha De Sola, Steven Morse Sugar Plum Fairy: Julia Rowe Grand Pas de Deux: Vanessa Zahorian, Taras Domitro Thursday, December 17, 2015 - 7pm Conductor: Martin West Drosselmeyer: Val Caniparoli Queen and King of the Snow: Lauren Strongin*^, Vitor Luiz Sugar Plum Fairy: Jahna Frantziskonis*^ Grand Pas de Deux: Frances Chung, Davit Karapetyan Friday, December 18, 2015 - 2pm Conductor: Martin West Drosselmeyer: Pascal Molat Queen and King of the Snow: Koto Ishihara, Joseph Walsh Sugar Plum Fairy: Dores André Grand Pas de Deux: Mathilde Froustey, Carlo Di Lanno*^ Friday, December 18, 2015 - 7pm Conductor: Martin West Drosselmeyer: Ricardo Bustamante Queen and King of the Snow: Jennifer Stahl, Luke Ingham Sugar Plum Fairy: Sasha De Sola Grand Pas de Deux: Frances Chung, Carlos Quenedit Saturday, December 19, 2015 - 2pm Conductor: Martin West Drosselmeyer: Ricardo Bustamante Queen and King of the Snow: Sasha De Sola, Steven Morse Sugar Plum Fairy: Norika Matsuyama Grand Pas de Deux: Dores Andre, Luke Ingham Saturday, December 19, 2015 - 7pm Conductor: Martin West Drosselmeyer: Rubén Martín Cintas Queen and King of the Snow: Koto Ishihara, Gennadi Nedvigin Sugar Plum Fairy: Jennifer Stahl Grand Pas de Deux: Mathilde Froustey, Carlo Di Lanno Sunday, December 20, 2015 - 2pm Conductor: David LaMarche Drosselmeyer: Rubén Martín Cintas Queen and King of the Snow: Lauren Strongin, Hansuke Yamamoto Sugar Plum Fairy: Jahna Frantziskonis Grand Pas de Deux: Sasha De Sola, Luke Ingham Sunday, December 20, 2015 - 7pm Conductor: David LaMarche Drosselmeyer: Val Caniparoli Queen and King of the Snow: WanTing Zhao, Carlo Di Lanno^ Sugar Plum Fairy: Mathilde Froustey Grand Pas de Deux: Sofiane Sylve, Tiit Helimets * Denotes dancer premiere in current production. ^ Denotes premiere in role for current production. Link to comment
pherank Posted December 15, 2015 Share Posted December 15, 2015 No mention of Kochetkova at present. And where is she? She just danced Nutcracker in Irvine with Tiit Helimets, and is now apparently flying to Madrid to dance Don Quixote with National Dance Company of Spain... Link to comment
PeggyR Posted December 16, 2015 Author Share Posted December 16, 2015 No mention of Kochetkova at present. And where is she? She just danced Nutcracker in Irvine with Tiit Helimets, and is now apparently flying to Madrid to dance Don Quixote with National Dance Company of Spain... That’s true, but Tan and Feijoo aren’t there either, and Sylve is only scheduled once during this part of the run. Keep in mind that between 12/21 and 12/31 there are another 20 performances, so I wouldn’t be surprised if Kochetkova/Tan/Feijoo showed up at some point. And anyway, I’d much prefer to see soloists and corp members in these roles; it’s a good way to check out the talent below principal level. Link to comment
pherank Posted December 16, 2015 Share Posted December 16, 2015 And anyway, I’d much prefer to see soloists and corp members in these roles; it’s a good way to check out the talent below principal level. I think the principals would love to see the Nutcracker become a "showcase for young talent", and a rest period for the principals. ;) The number of performances is crazy. But in the U.S., The Nutcracker is a ballet recruitment MACHINE - nothing else comes close. Link to comment
Terez Posted December 16, 2015 Share Posted December 16, 2015 Thanks for posting this, Peggy. I've been longing for some dialogue on casting choices, but was too busy/lazy to start the thread myself. It sure felt strange not seeing Maria or YY's name on there. I don't think I've ever seen Lorena F in a Nutcracker, but my viewing experience is limited to 1x a year for 3 years, so that's not saying much. I so wish I could see more performances, particularly with these new dancers they have. I was very impressed with Norika Matsuyama last year; I'd love to see how she did as SPF. Nice to see Julia Rowe doing it one afternoon, as well. I'm agreed that this is a fun opportunity for audiences to see the rising talent within the company. I wonder if it would hurt ticket sales if it became that more and more (and a rest for the principals, as you said, Pherank). Doubt it; most SF audience members go to Nutcracker for the experience of going to a peerless Nutcracker. If there ever were a time to take a risk with casting, I guess this would be it. Dang, wish I could go more than once and see some of these newer dancers (or new to the role) perform! I look forward to hearing what others have to say about this run... Link to comment
seattle_dancer Posted December 17, 2015 Share Posted December 17, 2015 Wow Jahna Frantziskonis joined the company in July and she is already cast as SPF! That says a lot. We were so sad to see her leave Seattle/PNB. She is a small/delicate dancer but very strong physically and technically and is an absolute performer. Have you seen her ham it up on her Instagram account? You will not be disappointed if you see her - she dances huge, and is a joy on stage!!! Maybe if you are lucky you will get to see her the lead in Rubies, like we did last year. Link to comment
sz Posted December 18, 2015 Share Posted December 18, 2015 Check out who is dancing the Grand Pas de Deux at SFB! https://www.sfballet.org/tickets/casting Sarah Lane! Link to comment
laurel Posted December 18, 2015 Share Posted December 18, 2015 Sarah Lane of ABT just posted the following on her Facebook page: I will be premiering in Helgi Tomasson's version of The Nutcracker as Clara with The San Francisco Ballet alongside Vitor Luiz on 12/22 @2:00pm and 12/23 @7:00pm. The shows will be conducted by my friend and colleague, David LaMarche. This will be her second or third guest appearance this month in different "Nutcrackers" around the U.S., and will follow her two performances in Alexi Ratmansky's ABT production at the Segerstrom Center in Costa Mesa on 12/19 and 12/20. Busy lady! Link to comment
pherank Posted December 18, 2015 Share Posted December 18, 2015 Yeah, it's interesting that Lane is participating - this is quite different from performing with ABT at Segerstrom Arts Center: she would have to learn Tomasson's choreography for the part. Is there any 'special meaning' to her participation with SFB? Who knows? Could this be part of a deal to allow Kochetkova time to spend part of the year with ABT? Or did Lane simply ask to experience the Tomasson version? In the "Discovering the Art" forum I asked about Guest Dancing in the Off-Season. Just what goes on with the world of guest perfromances remains something of a mystery... EDIT: I see that Kochetkova will be joining in finally on the 23rd and 24th - 23rd: Queen and King of the Snow: Maria Kochetkova, Gennadi Nedvigin 24th: Grand Pas de Deux: Maria Kochetkova, Joan Boada Link to comment
PeggyR Posted December 18, 2015 Author Share Posted December 18, 2015 More casts. Note that Kochetkova is dancing on the 23rd at 7 pm and the 24th at 4 pm. Even more interesting to note: ABT soloist (and, according to her bio, San Francisco native) Sarah Lane is guesting in the GPdD for two performances: on the 22nd at 2 pm, and the 23rd at 7 pm. Let the fevered speculations begin. Nutcracker - Monday, December 21, 2015 - 2pm Conductor: Martin West Drosselmeyer: Ricardo Bustamante Queen and King of the Snow: Koto Ishihara, Gennadi Nedvigin Sugar Plum Fairy: Norika Matsuyama Grand Pas de Deux: Lauren Strongin^, Joseph Walsh Nutcracker - Monday, December 21, 2015 - 7pm Conductor: David LaMarche Drosselmeyer: Pascal Molat Sugar Plum Fairy: Vanessa Zahorian Grand Pas de Deux: Sasha De Sola, Davit Karapetyan Nutcracker - Tuesday, December 22, 2015 - 2pm Conductor: David LaMarche Drosselmeyer: Ricardo Bustamante Queen and King of the Snow: WanTing Zhao, Carlo Di Lanno Sugar Plum Fairy: Dores André Grand Pas de Deux: Sarah Lane+, Vitor Luiz Nutcracker - Tuesday, December 22, 2015 - 7pm Conductor: David LaMarche Drosselmeyer: Pascal Molat Queen and King of the Snow: Jennifer Stahl, Luke Ingham Sugar Plum Fairy: Sasha De Sola Grand Pas de Deux: Vanessa Zahorian, Taras Domitro Nutcracker - Wednesday, December 23, 2015 - 2pm Conductor: Martin West Drosselmeyer: Pascal Molat Queen and King of the Snow: Dores André, Hansuke Yamamoto Sugar Plum Fairy: Mathilde Froustey Grand Pas de Deux: Sofiane Sylve, Tiit Helimets Nutcracker - Wednesday, December 23, 2015 - 7pm Conductor: David LaMarche Drosselmeyer: Rubén Martín Cintas Queen and King of the Snow: Maria Kochetkova, Gennadi Nedvigin Sugar Plum Fairy: Vanessa Zahorian Grand Pas de Deux: Sarah Lane+, Vitor Luiz Nutcracker - Thursday, December 24, 2015 - 11am Conductor: Martin West Drosselmeyer: Rubén Martín Cintas Queen and King of the Snow: Vanessa Zahorian, Taras Domitro Sugar Plum Fairy: Sofiane Sylve Grand Pas de Deux: Mathilde Froustey, Carlo Di Lanno Nutcracker - Thursday, December 24, 2015 - 4pm Conductor: David LaMarche Drosselmeyer: Val Caniparoli Queen and King of the Snow: Jennifer Stahl, Luke Ingham Sugar Plum Fairy: Sasha De Sola Grand Pas de Deux: Maria Kochetkova, Joan Boada + Denotes guest artist. ^ Denotes premiere in role for current production. Link to comment
Terez Posted December 19, 2015 Share Posted December 19, 2015 I am just agog at the variety of dancers they're using in solo roles this Nut season. I was there on opening night and got to see Jahna Frantziskonis (and I now know that spell check will try to absurdly correct her name) dance Spanish. Ellen Rose Hummel joined her as the 2 females of the quintet. They both looked really good. WanTing Zhao was notably good in Arabian, and I see they've got her cast as Snow Queen one show. French featured two new corps dancers (who were apprentices last year): Maggie Weirich and Ami Yuki, along with Rebecca Rhodes. All these corps dancers getting great exposure. I was wowed by Norika Matsuyama last season; she's SPF on Mon matinee. I think they've got plans for both Matsuyama and Frantziskonis; casting sure looks that way. Mentioned this to Kyra Jablonsky on opening night in the press room, and she seemed in agreement, that they are being watched with interest, so to speak. The Sarah Lane addition shocked me. Wonder why that was deemed necessary, with so many company dancers prepped to perform? Hardly seems like the company needs help selling seats for this production. Although it's unfortunate that they started the run so late and are ending it so late. Makes you wonder how full the house is going to be as New Year's Eve approaches. (On the other hand, a great opportunity for bargain seats!) I tend to focus on the females, but here are some of the male corps dancers being given a chance in good roles on opening night: Spanish: Max Cauthorn, Aaron Renteria Arabian: Gaetano Amico (who was also Mouse King) Chinese: Lonnie Weeks Russian: Francisco Sebastiao, Blake Kessler I think it's very exciting to see these kind of casting choices being made. I did notice, though, that Shannon Marie Rugani is off the roster; didn't notice that in July. And no sign of Feijoo anywhere in the picture. Link to comment
pherank Posted December 19, 2015 Share Posted December 19, 2015 Jahna's commemorative photo from her debut as SPF: https://www.instagram.com/p/_bOCCxQbcO/?taken-by=jahnagram Link to comment
Terez Posted December 19, 2015 Share Posted December 19, 2015 Lovely pic! Will be exciting to watch what they do with her. Link to comment
Josette Posted December 20, 2015 Share Posted December 20, 2015 Several of the SFB dancers have been guesting in other Nutcrackers - Sofiane Sylve & Tiit Helimets, Vanessa Zahorian & Anthony Vincent, Mathilde Froustey & Carlo di Lanno, Maria Kochetkova & Tiit Helimets, and Vanessa Zahorian & PNB's Seth Orza - and Sarah Van Patten is on maternity leave, so perhaps this has given more opportunities to others this Nutcracker season. Link to comment
PeggyR Posted December 20, 2015 Author Share Posted December 20, 2015 I’m going to next Saturday’s matinee (no cast info yet); I’m hoping to see some (or better, all) of the new comers. “I am just agog at the variety of dancers they're using in solo roles this Nut season." I don’t attend the Nut every year, but whenever I have, there always seem to be many soloists and corp members dancing major roles. I fondly remember Clara Blanco, several years before she was promoted to soloist, dancing a lovely GPdD. “I did notice, though, that Shannon Marie Rugani is off the roster; didn't notice that in July.” I didn’t notice she was gone either; is she still performing in An American in Paris? “The Sarah Lane addition shocked me. Wonder why that was deemed necessary, with so many company dancers prepped to perform? Hardly seems like the company needs help selling seats for this production." Well, if they wanted to bring in a guest to sell seats, I’d think they would bring in a higher profile name. Meaning no disrespect to Ms. Lane, but I doubt if the kind of ballet goer in San Francisco who attends Nutcracker and not much else, knows a lot about soloists from a New York company. I don’t know much about her myself, but after a little research, found that she seems to be highly regarded. Is she considered to be another neglected ABT soloist who should, but probably won’t be promoted if she stays at ABT? Link to comment
vipa Posted December 20, 2015 Share Posted December 20, 2015 I’m going to next Saturday’s matinee (no cast info yet); I’m hoping to see some (or better, all) of the new comers. I don’t attend the Nut every year, but whenever I have, there always seem to be many soloists and corp members dancing major roles. I fondly remember Clara Blanco, several years before she was promoted to soloist, dancing a lovely GPdD. I didn’t notice she was gone either; is she still performing in An American in Paris? Well, if they wanted to bring in a guest to sell seats, I’d think they would bring in a higher profile name. Meaning no disrespect to Ms. Lane, but I doubt if the kind of ballet goer in San Francisco who attends Nutcracker and not much else, knows a lot about soloists from a New York company. I don’t know much about her myself, but after a little research, found that she seems to be highly regarded. Is she considered to be another neglected ABT soloist who should, but probably won’t be promoted if she stays at ABT? We in NYC seem to have divided opinions on Sarah Lane. I am a fan and see her as a quality dancer. I was disappointed that Kochetkova was named a principal at ABT not Lane. Others differ strongly. IMO she is definitely a neglected soloist. Case in point. She made a fine debut as Aurora but it took 5 maybe 6 years for her to be cast as Aurora again. Overall I think SFB has a better rep for dancers. Of course this is from a die hard NYCB fan. Link to comment
pherank Posted December 20, 2015 Share Posted December 20, 2015 I don’t know much about her myself, but after a little research, found that she seems to be highly regarded. Is she considered to be another neglected ABT soloist who should, but probably won’t be promoted if she stays at ABT? Yes, it's that kind of situation. Link to comment
Terez Posted December 21, 2015 Share Posted December 21, 2015 Do we know why Yuan Yuan isn't dancing? Link to comment
Quiggin Posted December 23, 2015 Share Posted December 23, 2015 I saw the SFB Nutcracker tonight, Tuesday the 22nd. There were some cast changes I didn't hear announced – I arrived a bit late – but it looked as though Joseph Walsh was King of the Snow for Luke Ingham and Lauren Strongin his partner, though I'm not completely sure of that. Mathilde Froustey danced the Sugar Plum Fairy role. How I wish the Sugar Plum Fairy variation were done by the Sugar Plum Fairy instead of the grown-up Clara in the midst of the Grand Pas. The Sugar Plum Fairy loses an essential part of her character without it, her great "speech" – plus I would have loved to have seen Froustey do it. Vanessa Zahorian was very solid in the Grand Pas and Taras Domitro as the Nutcracker Prince gave every phrase its just measure. His mime is always surrealistically clear and certain. There was a change I noticed in the staging of the second act. During the Grand Pas, all the characters of the divertissements now gather on the sides of the stage and watch the main dancers from there. This does help dress up the empty space of the bare-bones set, but it lessens the dramatic impact of the last scene when all the characters of the play – whom in the earlier version you haven’t seen for a while – suddenly reappear and circle around Clara asleep in her bed, like the animals of a carousel. I think the earlier version made for a more poetic ending. Here’s the wittiest Sugar Plum Fairy of them all, Alexandra Danilova. She was 49 years old when this was recorded. http://danceinteractive.jacobspillow.org/alexandra-danilova/sugar-plum-fairy-variation-from-the-nutcracker/ Link to comment
Terez Posted December 23, 2015 Share Posted December 23, 2015 There was a change I noticed in the staging of the second act. During the Grand Pas, all the characters of the divertissements now gather on the sides of the stage and watch the main dancers from there. This does help dress up the empty space of the bare-bones set, but it lessens the dramatic impact of the last scene when all the characters of the play – whom in the earlier version you haven’t seen for a while – suddenly reappear and circle around Clara asleep in her bed, like the animals of a carousel. I think the earlier version made for a more poetic ending. Yes, I noticed this too! (Although my thought was "hey, how did I miss that last year?" Good point, about how it lessens the dramatic impact at the end. Link to comment
pherank Posted December 24, 2015 Share Posted December 24, 2015 Some behind-the-scenes Nutcracker video here, in this short about Daniel Deivison-Oliveira:http://www.sfchronicle.com/thetake/article/Meant-for-the-stage-Dancing-with-S-F-Ballet-s-6716140.phpThe Mouse King struggling to get on stage through the trap door is pretty amusing. Ah, the magic of the stage world. I noticed Dores Andre in Sugar Plum Fairy costume, WanTing Zhao in Arabian, but who is the other Arabian danseur? And I'm stymied by the Snow Queen and King. At first I thought it was Vanessa Zahoriana and Taras Domitro, but was that actually Sarah Lane, and Vitor Luiz? There's too much snow to see anything clearly. ;) Link to comment
Josette Posted December 24, 2015 Share Posted December 24, 2015 I noticed last year that the divertissement dancers were on stage during the grand pas de deux so the change has been at least since last season. Did anyone see Sarah Lane? Link to comment
Terez Posted December 24, 2015 Share Posted December 24, 2015 Some behind-the-scenes Nutcracker video here, in this short about Daniel Deivison-Oliveira: http://www.sfchronicle.com/thetake/article/Meant-for-the-stage-Dancing-with-S-F-Ballet-s-6716140.php The Mouse King struggling to get on stage through the trap door is pretty amusing. Ah, the magic of the stage world. I noticed Dores Andre in Sugar Plum Fairy costume, WanTing Zhao in Arabian, but who is the other Arabian danseur? And I'm stymied by the Snow Queen and King. At first I thought it was Vanessa Zahoriana and Taras Domitro, but was that actually Sarah Lane, and Vitor Luiz? There's too much snow to see anything clearly. ;) Regrettably, I can't access the clip. Since when does the Chronicle require a digital subscription for some of their content? Bummer. Link to comment
pherank Posted December 24, 2015 Share Posted December 24, 2015 Regrettably, I can't access the clip. Since when does the Chronicle require a digital subscription for some of their content? Bummer. Oh you are right! That sign-up wasn't there before, or I wouldn't have bothered to post. I can assure you that I don't subscribe to the Chronicle. ;) Too bad, but perhaps the video will appear elsewhere... Link to comment
Quiggin Posted December 25, 2015 Share Posted December 25, 2015 It seems to be working again. Nice behind-the-scenes background you don't see that often, even on Instagram. http://www.sfchronicle.com/thetake/article/Meant-for-the-stage-Dancing-with-S-F-Ballet-s-6716140.php Sometimes the Chronicle stories are available after a few days, sometimes they're posted on their free - but very cluttered - SF Gate website. A reporter told me they're having a hard time figuring out just how they want to present their online content. Link to comment
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