sf_herminator Posted December 7, 2017 Share Posted December 7, 2017 Casting is up for opening night on Wednesday 12/13 (https://www.sfballet.org/season/casting): NUTCRACKER Wednesday, December 13, 2017 - 7 pm Choreography: Helgi Tomasson Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Conductor: Martin West Drosselmeyer: Rubén Martín Cintas Queen and King of the Snow: Frances Chung, Vitor Luiz Sugar Plum Fairy: Sasha De Sola Grand Pas de Deux: Maria Kochetkova, Joseph Walsh Link to comment
pherank Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 This is neither here nor there, but this is also the time of year when some of the dancers perform in far-flung Nutcrackers. Somehow, Dores André has come to be in Shreveport Louisiana, to perform with the Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet. Sasha De Sola commented on Dores' Instagram posting: "You’re in Shreveport?! Tiit and I danced there a few years ago! Enjoy" I can't see the connection here, so I'm guessing the director/adminstrator of SMB just has the gumption to invite dancers from far away. (How they know about SFB dancers though, I don't know). Link to comment
Helene Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 The dancer and teacher networks at schools and summer programs generally means three degrees of separation at most instead of six. Link to comment
Terez Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 Here's more casting Thursday, December 14, 2017 - 2 pm Choreography: Helgi Tomasson Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Conductor: Martin West Drosselmeyer: Rubén Martín Cintas Queen and King of the Snow: Lauren Strongin, Wei Wang* Sugar Plum Fairy: Jahna Frantziskonis Grand Pas de Deux: Sarah Van Patten, Ulrik Birkkjaer*^ Thursday, December 14, 2017 - 7 pm Choreography: Helgi Tomasson Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Conductor: Martin West Drosselmeyer: Pascal Molat Queen and King of the Snow: Dores André, Luke Ingham Sugar Plum Fairy: Isabella DeVivo Grand Pas de Deux: Sofiane Sylve, Tiit Helimets Friday, December 15, 2017 - 2 pm Choreography: Helgi Tomasson Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Conductor: Martin West Drosselmeyer: Pascal Molat Queen and King of the Snow: Isabella DeVivo, Max Cauthorn Sugar Plum Fairy: Ana Sophia Scheller*^ Grand Pas de Deux: Lauren Strongin, Wei Wang Friday, December 15, 2017 - 7 pm Choreography: Helgi Tomasson Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Conductor: Martin West Drosselmeyer: Ricardo Bustamante Queen and King of the Snow: Mathilde Froustey, Hansuke Yamamoto Sugar Plum Fairy: Maria Kochetkova Grand Pas de Deux: Sasha De Sola, Carlo Di Lanno Saturday, December 16, 2017 - 2 pm Choreography: Helgi Tomasson Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Conductor: Martin West Drosselmeyer: Ricardo Bustamante Queen and King of the Snow: WanTing Zhao, Mingxuan Wang* Sugar Plum Fairy: Sarah Van Patten Grand Pas de Deux: Dores André, Luke Ingham Saturday, December 16, 2017 - 7 pm Choreography: Helgi Tomasson Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Conductor: Martin West Drosselmeyer: Val Caniparoli Queen and King of the Snow: Yuan Yuan Tan, Carlo Di Lanno Sugar Plum Fairy: Julia Rowe Grand Pas de Deux: Ana Sophia Scheller*, Angelo Greco Sunday, December 17, 2017 - 2 pm Choreography: Helgi Tomasson Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Conductor: Martin West Drosselmeyer: Val Caniparoli Queen and King of the Snow: Koto Ishihara, Hansuke Yamamoto Sugar Plum Fairy: Jennifer Stahl Grand Pas de Deux: Julia Rowe, Max Cauthorn* Sunday, December 17, 2017 - 7 pm Choreography: Helgi Tomasson Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Conductor: Martin West Drosselmeyer: Pascal Molat Queen and King of the Snow: Lauren Strongin, Wei Wang Sugar Plum Fairy: Sarah Van Patten Grand Pas de Deux: Mathilde Froustey, Luke Ingham Link to comment
pherank Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 A good and crazy mix of principals and soloists - the pain is being spread around. ;) Yuan Yuan and Tiit are only being utilized once each during this stretch (which probably makes them happy), but there will be more shows to come... Link to comment
pherank Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 (edited) Adding to Terez's list: Tuesday, December 19, 2017 - 2 pm Choreography: Helgi Tomasson Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Conductor: Martin West Drosselmeyer: Pascal Molat Queen and King of the Snow: Isabella DeVivo, Max Cauthorn Sugar Plum Fairy: Wona Park* Grand Pas de Deux: Ana Sophia Scheller, Angelo GrecoTuesday, December 19, 2017 - 7 pm Choreography: Helgi Tomasson Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Conductor: Ming Luke Drosselmeyer: Rubén Martín Cintas Queen and King of the Snow: Sarah Van Patten, Ulrik Birkkjaer* Sugar Plum Fairy: Sasha De Sola Grand Pas de Deux: Frances Chung, Vitor LuizWednesday, December 20, 2017 - 2 pm Choreography: Helgi Tomasson Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Conductor: Ming Luke Drosselmeyer: Rubén Martín Cintas Queen and King of the Snow: Norika Matsuyama*, Daniel Deivison-Oliveira Sugar Plum Fairy: Koto Ishihara* Grand Pas de Deux: Lauren Strongin, Wei WangWednesday, December 20, 2017 - 7 pm Choreography: Helgi Tomasson Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Conductor: Martin West Drosselmeyer: Pascal Molat Queen and King of the Snow: Jennifer Stahl, Tiit Helimets Sugar Plum Fairy: Maria Kochetkova Grand Pas de Deux: Dores André, Luke Ingham Wona Park and Norika Matsuyama are getting to dance prominent roles. Edited December 13, 2017 by pherank Link to comment
pherank Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 I didn't really notice this at first, but Pascal Molat will be appearing as Drosselmeyer a number of times. So now he may be permanently employed as a Principal Character - in addition to teaching at the school. There's no official word on this yet though... Link to comment
pherank Posted December 15, 2017 Share Posted December 15, 2017 This is a fun video - "The party has started!" Link to comment
pherank Posted December 17, 2017 Share Posted December 17, 2017 Something posted today by Mathilde Froustey: "This job is hard but man, but I missed it so much. Tonight is my 1st show of the Grand Pas de Deux and i’m seriously freaked out but so happy to be w[here] I belong." And she got a reply form Aaron Robison (now at ENB). It's nice that he's still paying attention to what happens at SFB. aaronrobison86 Merde! lapetitefrench_❤️ I miss you @aaronrobison86 ! Toi, toi, toi Mathilde! And welcome back. Link to comment
pherank Posted December 18, 2017 Share Posted December 18, 2017 Side note from Festival Ballet Theatre: festivalballettheatre - The Nutcracker THIS WEEKEND! You don’t have to travel to San Francisco to see stars from the San Francisco Ballet perform in The Nutcracker because Festival Ballet Theatre is proud to present not one, not two but three guest artists from the company. Vitor Luiz returns to the @theirvinebarclay to dance with Festival Ballet dancer @taraghassemieh15 on December 15 (7pm). He will also perform with fellow SF Ballet dancers on December 16 with Frances Chung @franadian and December 17 with Maria Kochetkova. Fran preparing before the show: Link to comment
sf_herminator Posted December 18, 2017 Author Share Posted December 18, 2017 Soloist Wei Wang interviewed on Asian Pacific America talking about Nutcracker along with a brief clip of him in the solo in the Grand PDD: Facebook link on SFB page: https://www.facebook.com/sfballet/posts/10155664358091293 NBC Bay Area link: https://www.nbcbayarea.com/on-air/as-seen-on/Nutcracker-at-San-Francisco-Ballet_Bay-Area-463779783.html On a side note: I had the opportunity to see his debut as the Nutcracker Prince last year and see him last night as the King of the Snow. I remember the first time I saw him in Chinese when he was still an Apprentice and it has been wonderful to see his rise in the company. Link to comment
sf_herminator Posted December 18, 2017 Author Share Posted December 18, 2017 (edited) Additional casting 12/21-12/24: Thursday, December 21, 2017 - 2 pm Choreography: Helgi Tomasson Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Conductor: Stuart Chafetz Drosselmeyer: Pascal Molat Queen and King of the Snow: Koto Ishihara, Hansuke Yamamoto Sugar Plum Fairy: Frances Chung Grand Pas de Deux: Sarah Van Patten, Ulrik Birkkjaer Thursday, December 21, 2017 - 7 pm Choreography: Helgi Tomasson Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Conductor: Martin West Drosselmeyer: Pascal Molat Queen and King of the Snow: Maria Kochetkova, Joseph Walsh Sugar Plum Fairy: Sasha De Sola Grand Pas de Deux: Sofiane Sylve, Tiit Helimets Friday, December 22, 2017 - 2 pm Choreography: Helgi Tomasson Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Conductor: Stuart Chafetz Drosselmeyer: Ricardo Bustamante Queen and King of the Snow: Sasha De Sola, Carlo Di Lanno Sugar Plum Fairy: Koto Ishihara* Grand Pas de Deux: Mathilde Froustey, Luke Ingham Friday, December 22, 2017 - 7 pm Choreography: Helgi Tomasson Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Conductor: Martin West Drosselmeyer: Val Caniparoli Queen and King of the Snow: Lauren Strongin, Wei Wang Sugar Plum Fairy: Sarah Van Patten Grand Pas de Deux: Maria Kochetkova, Joseph Walsh Saturday, December 23, 2017 - 2 pm Choreography: Helgi Tomasson Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Conductor: Martin West Drosselmeyer: Val Caniparoli Queen and King of the Snow: Sarah Van Patten, Ulrik Birkkjaer Sugar Plum Fairy: Dores André Grand Pas de Deux: Frances Chung, Vitor Luiz Saturday, December 23, 2017 - 7 pm Choreography: Helgi Tomasson Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Conductor: Stuart Chafetz Drosselmeyer: Rubén Martín Cintas Queen and King of the Snow: Yuan Yuan Tan, Carlo Di Lanno Sugar Plum Fairy: Sofiane Sylve Grand Pas de Deux: Ana Sophia Scheller, Angelo Greco Sunday, December 24, 2017 - 11 am Choreography: Helgi Tomasson Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Conductor: Stuart Chafetz Drosselmeyer: Rubén Martín Cintas Queen and King of the Snow: Frances Chung, Vitor Luiz Sugar Plum Fairy: Maria Kochetkova Grand Pas de Deux: Jennifer Stahl*, Tiit Helimets Sunday, December 24, 2017 - 4 pm Choreography: Helgi Tomasson Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Conductor: Martin West Drosselmeyer: Ricardo Bustamante Queen and King of the Snow: Mathilde Froustey, Jaime Garcia Castilla Sugar Plum Fairy: Ana Sophia Scheller Grand Pas de Deux: Sasha De Sola, Carlo Di Lanno Notable debuts: Koto Ishihara as Sugar Plum Fairy, Jennifer Stahl in Grand PDD Notable pairing: Mathilde Froustey & Jaime Garcia Castilla as Queen & King of the Snow on the 4 PM Christmas Eve performance. I don't think I have ever seen them dance together. Edited December 21, 2017 by sf_herminator Link to comment
pherank Posted December 18, 2017 Share Posted December 18, 2017 2 hours ago, sf_herminator said: Soloist Wei Wang interviewed on Asian Pacific America talking about Nutcracker along with a brief clip of him in the solo in the Grand PDD: Facebook link on SFB page: https://www.facebook.com/sfballet/posts/10155664358091293 NBC Bay Area link: https://www.nbcbayarea.com/on-air/as-seen-on/Nutcracker-at-San-Francisco-Ballet_Bay-Area-463779783.html On a side note: I had the opportunity to see his debut as the Nutcracker Prince last year and see him last night as the King of the Snow. I remember the first time I saw him in Chinese when he was still an Apprentice and it has been wonderful to see his rise in the company. Great find, SF_Herminator. Wei Wang continues to develop as a dancer and an artist. I'd like to see Tiit Helimets mentor Wang in partnering and overall strength training - that's the next step. How did the performance look overall? Any particularly great (or shaky) moments for the soloists/Corps? Have you seen Scheller dance yet? Her pairing with Greco should be exciting. Link to comment
sf_herminator Posted December 21, 2017 Author Share Posted December 21, 2017 On 12/18/2017 at 1:56 PM, pherank said: How did the performance look overall? Any particularly great (or shaky) moments for the soloists/Corps? Have you seen Scheller dance yet? Her pairing with Greco should be exciting. I've seen 2.5 performances so far: I saw Sat evening, Sun evening, and Act 1 only last night. FULL DISCLOSURE: I am a member of the ballet's volunteer organization. During the Nutcracker run, I will work in the gift shop for 4 performances, plus the selfie booth at last night's performance (hence only seeing the first act last night and went home after intermission). Overall the company looks wonderful (not surprisingly). I did see Scheller and Greco on Saturday night and they were wonderful. It makes me excited for Sleeping Beauty and to seeing Scheller in other performances this coming season. Link to comment
sf_herminator Posted December 21, 2017 Author Share Posted December 21, 2017 More additional casting for 12/26 & 12/27: Tuesday, December 26, 2017 - 2 pm Choreography: Helgi Tomasson Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Conductor: Ming Luke Drosselmeyer: Ricardo Bustamante Queen and King of the Snow: Jennifer Stahl, Tiit Helimets Sugar Plum Fairy: Jahna Frantziskonis Grand Pas de Deux: Frances Chung, Vitor Luiz Tuesday, December 26, 2017 - 7 pm Choreography: Helgi Tomasson Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Conductor: Ming Luke Drosselmeyer: Val Caniparoli Queen and King of the Snow: Dores André, Luke Ingham Sugar Plum Fairy: Sofiane Sylve Grand Pas de Deux: WanTing Zhao, Ulrik Birkkjaer Wednesday, December 27, 2017 - 2 pm Choreography: Helgi Tomasson Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Conductor: Martin West Drosselmeyer: Ricardo Bustamante Queen and King of the Snow: Frances Chung, Vitor Luiz Sugar Plum Fairy: Mathilde Froustey Grand Pas de Deux: Ana Sophia Scheller, Angelo Greco Wednesday, December 27, 2017 - 7 pm Choreography: Helgi Tomasson Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Conductor: Ming Luke Drosselmeyer: Rubén Martín Cintas Queen and King of the Snow: Sasha De Sola, Carlo Di Lanno Sugar Plum Fairy: Dores André Grand Pas de Deux: Maria Kochetkova, Joseph Walsh No debuts, but a new pairing: Wan-TIng Zhao & Ulrik Birkkjaer in the Grand PDD on Tue evening. So sorry I won't get to see it. Link to comment
pherank Posted December 22, 2017 Share Posted December 22, 2017 7 hours ago, sf_herminator said: I've seen 2.5 performances so far: I saw Sat evening, Sun evening, and Act 1 only last night. FULL DISCLOSURE: I am a member of the ballet's volunteer organization. During the Nutcracker run, I will work in the gift shop for 4 performances, plus the selfie booth at last night's performance (hence only seeing the first act last night and went home after intermission). Overall the company looks wonderful (not surprisingly). I did see Scheller and Greco on Saturday night and they were wonderful. It makes me excited for Sleeping Beauty and to seeing Scheller in other performances this coming season. It was definitely fortuitous having Greco and Scheller hired during the same era. Lucky us. ;) I'm definitely interested in seeing how Scheller develops (or doesn't) under new tutelage. I can't help but wonder if she is relieved to be away from the Martins regime (though coincidentally that is all changing now anyway). Link to comment
Terez Posted December 22, 2017 Share Posted December 22, 2017 (edited) Yay, as the casting list stands now (and we all know how casting changes, particularly later in the run), I will see Ana Sophia Scheller and Angelo Greco on the Wed 2pm matinee. And Froustey as SPF. Looking forward to it! I saw opening night, but am now scratching my head over how to comment, other than saying "all did well." No real surprises. I'd seen Wan-Ting Zhao in Arabian last year, maybe the past two years, and I found her just glorious. This year, Ludmila B. in the role looked good but not great. I missed, as well, seeing Jennifer Stahl as Snow Queen - I'm seen her in that role 2x and was dazzled both times. Impossible to complain about Masha/Joe in Grand PDD. Was so relieved there were no casting change announcements, right before the program. Remembering my crushing disappointment last year when Davit K was replaced by Carlos Q at the 11th hour. Norika Matsuyama danced Spanish - I was very happy to see her looking well. I missed her last season (injury reasons, I assume). I'm a little surprised we're not seeing Natasha Sheehan given a chance at one of the lead roles. Wona Park? My goodness. I saw her name on the roster and she danced in the corps, but I hadn't seen a radar on her. Guess I see it now. I, too, saw Mingxuan Wang performing Nut prince last year, a matinee late in the run, and I was delighted at how he did. Not like I'm expecting any speculation about "Who's Helgi going to promote next?" after last year's veritable blizzard of promotions, but he did deliver a great performance, and it was nice to see him do some good dancing on opening night this year. Edited December 22, 2017 by Terez Link to comment
pherank Posted December 22, 2017 Share Posted December 22, 2017 (edited) 2 hours ago, Terez said: Norika Matsuyama danced Spanish - I was very happy to see her looking well. I missed her last season (injury reasons, I assume). I'm a little surprised we're not seeing Natasha Sheehan given a chance at one of the lead roles. Wona Park? My goodness. I saw her name on the roster and she danced in the corps, but I hadn't seen a radar on her. Guess I see it now. Thanks for the report Terez! Norika Matsuyama as the Snow Queen is a pretty big deal for her - she did have an injury period that impeded her progress. I can guess that Tomasson wants to ease Sheehan into things - she still has many things to learn about, and this is her first year as a professional dancer. She's gotten a lot of publicity for someone who hasn't even danced a season with a professional company. ;) [ EDIT: my mistake, this will be her second season with the company ] If she paces herself, she can hopefully have a long, long career. When you mentioned Davit being replaced at the last minute, that made me sad - we didn't know it at the time, but he had developed an issue with his back that would rush him into an early retirement. Edited December 22, 2017 by pherank Link to comment
PeggyTulle Posted December 22, 2017 Share Posted December 22, 2017 9 minutes ago, pherank said: can guess that Tomasson wants to ease Sheehan into things - she still has many things to learn about, and this is her first year as a professional dancer. She's gotten a lot of publicity for someone who hasn't even danced a season with a professional company. ;) If she paces herself, she can hopefully have a long, long career. I swear that Natasha was part of the corps last year. Wona just joined the corps from the school trainee program, so I, too, am surprised to see her in a "lead" before Natasha. Link to comment
apollosmuse Posted December 22, 2017 Share Posted December 22, 2017 This is Natasha Sheehan's second year in the corps de ballet and Wona Park's first. Link to comment
pherank Posted December 22, 2017 Share Posted December 22, 2017 (edited) 13 minutes ago, PeggyTulle said: I swear that Natasha was part of the corps last year. Wona just joined the corps from the school trainee program, so I, too, am surprised to see her in a "lead" before Natasha. 7 minutes ago, apollosmuse said: This is Natasha Sheehan's second year in the corps de ballet and Wona Park's first. Yes you are both right, my brain is just freezing up. That happens. Even so, I don't think we're going to see many soloist opportunities for her yet. Demi-soloist roles, yes. Tomasson has a whole bunch of young dancers to give opportunities to this year. Edited December 22, 2017 by pherank Link to comment
pherank Posted December 22, 2017 Share Posted December 22, 2017 This being National "the relatives are coming tonight for the holiday and there's so much left to do, and what are we going to do about dinner?" Day, I keep dashing to the computer to take my mind off of the horror of it all. What do people think they want to see Sheehan cast in? As Elizabeth in Frankenstein? The Cage?!!! (That would be a weird breakout role.) Link to comment
pherank Posted December 23, 2017 Share Posted December 23, 2017 A Day in the Life of the Sugar Plum Fairy in San Francisco Ballet's Nutcracker (with Jen Stahl)https://www.popsugar.com/fitness/What-Like-Ballerina-44447263?stream_view=1 Link to comment
Terez Posted December 24, 2017 Share Posted December 24, 2017 On 12/22/2017 at 2:22 PM, pherank said: When you mentioned Davit being replaced at the last minute, that made me sad - we didn't know it at the time, but he had developed an issue with his back that would rush him into an early retirement. Yes, very poignant and sad in retrospect, because I never once got the opportunity to see him dance last season. Wouldn't have dreamed, as the 2014-15 season finished up, that that would be it for seeing my favorite male dancer. Ah well. Life goes on. Joseph Walsh and Angelo Greco both seem to have that crowd-pleasing dance personality/style going on, (in all positive ways). So, that's reassuring. Link to comment
pherank Posted December 24, 2017 Share Posted December 24, 2017 (edited) 6 hours ago, Terez said: Yes, very poignant and sad in retrospect, because I never once got the opportunity to see him dance last season. Wouldn't have dreamed, as the 2014-15 season finished up, that that would be it for seeing my favorite male dancer. Ah well. Life goes on. Joseph Walsh and Angelo Greco both seem to have that crowd-pleasing dance personality/style going on, (in all positive ways). So, that's reassuring. Both Walsh and Greco are very positive people. But each personality is unique: there will never be another Davit Karpetyan. [Interesting side note: Vanessa Zahorian's bio for the Pennsylvania Ballet Academy states that "she was granted as a Balanchine Repetiteur with the George Balanchine Trust in 2012". I did not know that. ] Feliz Navidad from Dores Andre and Diego Cruz, and his paella: https://www.instagram.com/p/BdGQz5AHTbL/?taken-by=doresandre And here's Jahna and Natasha lighting up the holidays: Edited December 24, 2017 by pherank Link to comment
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