SFB 2019 Program 3

[PeggyR]

Programs 2 and 3 run concurrently.

I'm interested to see Jennifer Stahl as Zeena Frome, since I haven't really seen much of her since her promotion, and nothing that was an acting role.  The part was originated by Sarah Van Patten, who's a superb dramatic actress.

The Etudes cast looks exciting with four virtuoso dancers.  

Program 3: In Space & Time

Thursday, February 14, 2019 – 7:30 pm

The Fifth Season
Choreography: Helgi Tomasson
Music: Karl Jenkins
Conductor: Martin West

Dores Andre
Vitor Luiz
Sofiane Sylve
Luke Ingham
Yuan Yuan Tan
Tiit Helimets

Snowblind
Choreography: Cathy Marston
Music: Amy Beach, Arthur Foote, Arvo Pärt, Philip Sweeney
Conductor: Martin West
Piano: Mungunchimeg Buriad

Ethan Frome: Ulrik Birkkjaer
Zeena Frome: Jennifer Stahl
Mattie Silver: Mathilde Froustey

Etudes
Choreography: Harald Lander
Music: Knudåge Riisager after Carl Czerny
Conductor: Martin West

Sasha De Sola
Tour: Angelo Greco
Mazurka: Joseph Walsh
Pas de Deux Man: Carlo Di Lanno

[pherank]

2 hours ago, PeggyR said:

Programs 2 and 3 run concurrently.

I'm interested to see Jennifer Stahl as Zeena Frome, since I haven't really seen much of her since her promotion, and nothing that was an acting role.  The part was originated by Sarah Van Patten, who's a superb dramatic actress.

I don't envy her the task of competing with SVP's acting abilities, but if Stahl succeeds, she will look like a hero. Toi toi toi.

[PeggyR]

35 minutes ago, pherank said:

I don't envy her the task of competing with SVP's acting abilities, but if Stahl succeeds, she will look like a hero. Toi toi toi.

Although I didn't see her performance, word was that she was excellent as the Chosen One in Rite of Spring a few seasons ago, so the omen is promising that she'll do well with this.  It's just that, after seeing Van Patten in just about any dramatic role (or comedy, for that matter:  SVP is very funny), it can be hard to imagine anyone else.  Plus, Stahl has to hold her own with Birkkjaer and Froustey, both excellent actors.

[Josette]

Jen Stahl was an outstanding Carabosse (or however she is named in Tomasson's The Sleeping Beauty) last year.   I loved Van Patten in Snowblind and was happy to know that Jen Stahl was getting the role.  

[Terez]

I saw such similarities in Jen Stahl's and SVP's Mercedes in Don Q, I was happy to see her cast here. My hunch is that she will seamlessly transition into the kind of role SVP has performed and excelled in. (Lucky for us!) I found her stunning as the Chosen One in Rite, so I think she has the acting chops to produce a worthy Zeena.

Dang, I'd love to see The Fifth Season with this cast, and I likely won't be attending this production, boo hoo. : (

[Josette]

More casting is up and it shows Madison Keesler dancing Zeena, Dores Andre as Mattie, and Luke Ingham as Ethan in Ethan Frome.   Sofiane Sylve is dancing Etudes with Aaron Robison, Luke Ingham, and Carlo di Lanno. 

[sf_herminator]

Casting for Saturday 2/16 performances of Program 3-In Space & Time

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

Saturday, February 16, 2019 – 2:00 pm

The Fifth Season
Choreography: Helgi Tomasson
Music: Karl Jenkins
Conductor: Martin West

Elizabeth Powell
Aaron Robison
Mathilde Froustey
Daniel Deivison-Oliveira
Yuan Yuan Tan
Carlo Di Lanno

Snowblind
Choreography: Cathy Marston
Music: Amy Beach, Arthur Foote, Arvo Pärt, Philip Sweeney
Conductor: Martin West
Piano: Mungunchimeg Buriad

Ethan Frome: Luke Ingham
Zeena Frome: Madison Keesler
Mattie Silver: Dores Andre

Etudes
Choreography: Harald Lander
Music: Knudåge Riisager after Carl Czerny
Conductor: Martin West

Sasha De Sola
Tour: Angelo Greco
Mazurka: Joseph Walsh
Pas de Deux Man: Carlo Di Lanno

 

Saturday, February 16, 2019 – 8:00 pm

The Fifth Season
Choreography: Helgi Tomasson
Music: Karl Jenkins
Conductor: Martin West

Wona Park
Angelo Greco
Mathilde Froustey
Daniel Deivison-Oliveira
Yuan Yuan Tan
Carlo Di Lanno

Snowblind
Choreography: Cathy Marston
Music: Amy Beach, Arthur Foote, Arvo Pärt, Philip Sweeney
Conductor: Martin West
Piano: Mungunchimeg Buriad

Ethan Frome: Ulrik Birkkjaer
Zeena Frome: Jennifer Stahl
Mattie Silver: Mathilde Froustey

Etudes
Choreography: Harald Lander
Music: Knudåge Riisager after Carl Czerny
Conductor: Martin West

Sofiane Sylve
Tour: Aaron Robison
Mazurka: Luke Ingham
Pas de Deux Man: Carlo Di Lanno

As a reminder:  Casting subject to change

Lots of exciting debuts, although I'm not sure why it is no longer designated on the website as it has been in the past.  

[pherank]

Good for Madison Keesler! Toi toi toi.
I think Etudes will be good fun with that cast.

Edited February 8 by pherank

[sf_herminator]

Updated casting for Saturday 2/16 performances (https://www.sfballet.org/season/casting)

The Fifth Season - Kimberly Marie Olivier and John-Paul Simeons replace Mathilde Froustey and Daniel Deivison Olivera in the 2:00 PM performance (Mathilde and Daniel are still in the 8:00 PM performance).

Snowblind - casting is flipped.  Ulrik Birkkjaer/Jennifer Stahl/Mathilde Froustey will now dance in afternoon and Luke Ingham/Madison Keesler/Dores Andre will dance in the evening.

 

Saturday, February 16, 2019 – 2:00 pm

The Fifth Season
Choreography: Helgi Tomasson
Music: Karl Jenkins
Conductor: Ming Luke

Elizabeth Powell
Aaron Robison
Kimberly Marie Olivier
John-Paul Simoens
Yuan Yuan Tan
Carlo Di Lanno

Snowblind
Choreography: Cathy Marston
Music: Amy Beach, Arthur Foote, Arvo Pärt, Philip Sweeney
Conductor: Ming Luke
Piano: Mungunchimeg Buriad

Ethan Frome: Ulrik Birkkjaer
Zeena Frome: Jennifer Stahl
Mattie Silver: Mathilde Froustey

Etudes
Choreography: Harald Lander
Music: Knudåge Riisager after Carl Czerny
Conductor: Martin West

Sasha De Sola
Tour: Angelo Greco
Mazurka: Joseph Walsh
Pas de Deux Man: Carlo Di Lanno

 

Saturday, February 16, 2019 – 8:00 pm

The Fifth Season
Choreography: Helgi Tomasson
Music: Karl Jenkins
Conductor: Martin West

Wona Park
Angelo Greco
Mathilde Froustey
Daniel Deivison-Oliveira
Yuan Yuan Tan
Carlo Di Lanno

Snowblind
Choreography: Cathy Marston
Music: Amy Beach, Arthur Foote, Arvo Pärt, Philip Sweeney
Conductor: Martin West
Piano: Mungunchimeg Buriad

Ethan Frome: Luke Ingham
Zeena Frome: Madison Keesler
Mattie Silver: Dores Andre

Etudes
Choreography: Harald Lander
Music: Knudåge Riisager after Carl Czerny
Conductor: Martin West

Sofiane Sylve
Tour: Aaron Robison
Mazurka: Ulrik Birkkjaer
Pas de Deux Man: Carlo Di Lanno

[sf_herminator]

Casting for second week of Program 3 (https://www.sfballet.org/season/casting)

Tuesday, February 19, 2019 – 7:30 pm

The Fifth Season
Choreography: Helgi Tomasson
Music: Karl Jenkins
Conductor: Martin West

Wona Park
Angelo Greco
Mathilde Froustey
Daniel Deivison-Oliveira
Yuan Yuan Tan
Tiit Helimets

Snowblind
Choreography: Cathy Marston
Music: Amy Beach, Arthur Foote, Arvo Pärt, Philip Sweeney
Conductor: Martin West
Piano: Mungunchimeg Buriad

Ethan Frome: Luke Ingham
Zeena Frome: Madison Keesler
Mattie Silver: Dores Andre

Etudes
Choreography: Harald Lander
Music: Knudåge Riisager after Carl Czerny
Conductor: Martin West

Sofiane Sylve
Tour: Aaron Robison
Mazurka: Ulrik Birkkjaer
Pas de Deux Man: Tiit Helimets

 

Wednesday, February 20, 2019 – 7:30 pm

The Fifth Season
Choreography: Helgi Tomasson
Music: Karl Jenkins
Conductor: Martin West

Elizabeth Powell
Aaron Robison
Kimberly Marie Olivier
John-Paul Simoens
WanTing Zhao
Carlo Di Lanno

Snowblind
Choreography: Cathy Marston
Music: Amy Beach, Arthur Foote, Arvo Pärt, Philip Sweeney
Conductor: Martin West
Piano: Natasha Feygina

Ethan Frome: Luke Ingham
Zeena Frome: Madison Keesler
Mattie Silver: Dores Andre

Etudes
Choreography: Harald Lander
Music: Knudåge Riisager after Carl Czerny
Conductor: Martin West

Mathilde Froustey
Tour: Vitor Luiz
Mazurka: Wei Wang
Pas de Deux Man: Benjamin Freemantle

 

Friday, February 22, 2019 – 8:00 pm

The Fifth Season
Choreography: Helgi Tomasson
Music: Karl Jenkins
Conductor: Marin West

Dores Andre
Vitor Luiz
Sofiane Sylve
Luke Ingham
Yuan Yuan Tan
Tiit Helimets

Snowblind
Choreography: Cathy Marston
Music: Amy Beach, Arthur Foote, Arvo Pärt, Philip Sweeney
Conductor: Martin West
Piano: Mungunchimeg Buriad

Ethan Frome: Ulrik Birkkjaer
Zeena Frome: Jennifer Stahl
Mattie Silver: Mathilde Froustey

Etudes
Choreography: Harald Lander
Music: Knudåge Riisager after Carl Czerny
Conductor: Martin West

Sasha De Sola
Tour: Angelo Greco
Mazurka: Joseph Walsh
Pas de Deux Man: Carlo Di Lanno

 

Sunday, February 24, 2019 – 2:00 pm

The Fifth Season
Choreography: Helgi Tomasson
Music: Karl Jenkins
Conductor: Martin West

Dores Andre
Vitor Luiz
Kamryn Baldwin
Daniel Deivison-Oliveira
WanTing Zhao
Carlo Di Lanno

Snowblind
Choreography: Cathy Marston
Music: Amy Beach, Arthur Foote, Arvo Pärt, Philip Sweeney
Conductor: Martin West
Piano: Mungunchimeg Buriad

Ethan Frome: Ulrik Birkkjaer
Zeena Frome: Jennifer Stahl
Mattie Silver: Mathilde Froustey

Etudes
Choreography: Harald Lander
Music: Knudåge Riisager after Carl Czerny
Conductor: Martin West

Mathilde Froustey
Tour: Vitor Luiz
Mazurka: Luke Ingham
Pas de Deux Man: Benjamin Freemantle

 

[PeggyR]

Sometimes it’s good to see a performance that doesn’t knock your socks off, but just gives you a nice, comfortable feeling of satisfaction.

 Saturday 2/16 matinee 

 The Fifth Season (Tomasson) Tan/Powell/Olivier, Robison/Di Lanno/Simoens

The Fifth Season is probably the only Tomasson ballet that I actually look forward to seeing:  good music, attractive costumes, and some interesting choreography.  

 As sf_herminator noted above, Froustey/Deivison-Oliveira were replaced by corps dancers Kimberly Marie Olivier and John-Paul Simoens, both of whom held their own very well.  Olivier seemed a little nervous at first, but settled down and was particularly effective in the flirty Tango.  Lately, I’ve been viewing Simoens as a future soloist, and this performance reinforced that opinion.

 Elizabeth Powell continues to impress with her long, beautiful lines and solid technique.  I’d like to see her in something dramatic; if she can act, I’d say she’s definitely on principal track in the next few years.

 Snowblind (Marston) Birkkjaer/Stahl/Froustey

Just as compelling as it was last year, with vivid performances from all.  Jennifer Stahl had the unenviable task of taking over a dramatic role from Sarah Van Patten.  Stahl was excellent, although nobody can match Van Patten’s pale blue, slightly manic gaze.

 Etudes (Lander) De Sola/Greco/Walsh/DiLanno

I’ve always had fond memories of seeing this back in the 60’s with, if memory serves, Toni Lander dancing the lead.  However, in all honesty, this time it wore out its welcome a little sooner than I expected, although overall, the company danced it well.  I know it’s meant to mimic the progression of a ballet class, but really, how many battement tendus does anybody really need to see.  So, enjoyable with slight reservations.  

The four soloists were excellent:  Walsh completely back on form, De Sola appropriately glittering, Greco grinning hugely, Di Lanno scowling like he wanted to strangle somebody.

 Too bad about the music.🤯

[mrstrong_ballet]

Attended the 2/16 8PM show. Was initially disappointed to see that Snowblind evening cast was flipped with the matinee cast, but it would have made a rather grueling day for Froustey.

The Fifth Season (Park/Greco, Froustey/Deivison-Oliveira, Tan/Di Lanno)

My second time seeing this, and still not entirely loving the music and choreography. It is...pretty, but bland. As usual, Tan does not disappoint. Park impressed me, and seems to dance well with Greco. The Tango was well done, and I really liked Deivison-Oliveira in this. I am not sure if seeing it more would grow on me...

Snowblind (Ingham/Keesler/Andre)

I have not seen it with the original cast, so I have nothing to compare to. I like how the corps is used in this piece. The main characters unfortunately did not stir any emotions in me, and I got a little confused to what they were doing at the end amidst the silence. 

Etudes (Sylve/Birkkjaer/Robison)

To be honest, Sylve is the main reason for choosing this evening. I feel like I need to see more of her (and Tan) before they hang up their pointe shoes. The moment the curtain rises, my heart skipped a beat! Her impeccable technique and ability to switch between styles was impressive. Both men did an amazing job, and I couldn't take my eyes off Robison. I am so thankful that he's back!

All in all, the night ended well (and late).