Comments on: Review: 2009 San Francisco Ballet’s Nutcracker http://www.saturdaymatineeblog.com/2009/12/review-2009-san-francisco-ballets-nutcracker/ Thoughts on theater in the Bay Area Thu, 22 Jul 2010 23:09:26 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: jolene http://www.saturdaymatineeblog.com/2009/12/review-2009-san-francisco-ballets-nutcracker/comment-page-1/#comment-1672 jolene Mon, 04 Jan 2010 23:01:48 +0000 http://www.saturdaymatineeblog.com/?p=2594#comment-1672 Hi Chantel - I agree that the SFB production is captivating. The costumes and scenery are perfection as well, and I'm so glad that it was captured on DVD. I think NYCB's Balanchine production and SFB have different strengths, but I am happy to admit full preference and bias for my hometown company, of course! Hi Chantel – I agree that the SFB production is captivating. The costumes and scenery are perfection as well, and I’m so glad that it was captured on DVD. I think NYCB’s Balanchine production and SFB have different strengths, but I am happy to admit full preference and bias for my hometown company, of course!

]]> By: chantel http://www.saturdaymatineeblog.com/2009/12/review-2009-san-francisco-ballets-nutcracker/comment-page-1/#comment-1654 chantel Tue, 29 Dec 2009 16:32:41 +0000 http://www.saturdaymatineeblog.com/?p=2594#comment-1654 I saw this production on PBS last Christmas when it aired on Great Performances. I have seen many different Nutcrackers in my day, but SFB's capitvated me. It seemed that everything was perfect. I loved that Tomasson set it in Edwardian-era San Francsico. I love the addition of the Snow Queen, which isn't always in Nutcracker. The costumes, scenery. Everything was perfect and I love the choreography. I think SFB's Nutcracker far surpasses Balanchine's which is a great feat. I saw this production on PBS last Christmas when it aired on Great Performances. I have seen many different Nutcrackers in my day, but SFB’s capitvated me. It seemed that everything was perfect. I loved that Tomasson set it in Edwardian-era San Francsico. I love the addition of the Snow Queen, which isn’t always in Nutcracker. The costumes, scenery. Everything was perfect and I love the choreography. I think SFB’s Nutcracker far surpasses Balanchine’s which is a great feat.

]]> By: jolene http://www.saturdaymatineeblog.com/2009/12/review-2009-san-francisco-ballets-nutcracker/comment-page-1/#comment-1643 jolene Mon, 28 Dec 2009 18:04:18 +0000 http://www.saturdaymatineeblog.com/?p=2594#comment-1643 Hi Alan - it's interesting how different people can see a production differently. I always thought the sets were grand in scope rather than midget-izing, but that's just my two cents. Maybe it also depends on where you're sitting in the house? The dancers will definitely look smaller in the second balcony (I was sitting in side orchestra). The orchestra had a difficult time the night that I went, but I can't imagine how hard it is with multiple conductors and a myriad of different soloists with different timing/tempos that need to be accomodated. Add in limited rehearsal time, and the formula becomes impossible for full preparation. Previously, I've seen the orchestra being led by SFB Orchestra's Martin West, and I've had no complaints. It makes sense since he's the most comfortable with his own orchestra, as well as being familiar with individual dancers. Thanks for comenting. Hi Alan – it’s interesting how different people can see a production differently. I always thought the sets were grand in scope rather than midget-izing, but that’s just my two cents. Maybe it also depends on where you’re sitting in the house? The dancers will definitely look smaller in the second balcony (I was sitting in side orchestra).

The orchestra had a difficult time the night that I went, but I can’t imagine how hard it is with multiple conductors and a myriad of different soloists with different timing/tempos that need to be accomodated. Add in limited rehearsal time, and the formula becomes impossible for full preparation. Previously, I’ve seen the orchestra being led by SFB Orchestra’s Martin West, and I’ve had no complaints. It makes sense since he’s the most comfortable with his own orchestra, as well as being familiar with individual dancers. Thanks for comenting.

]]> By: alan http://www.saturdaymatineeblog.com/2009/12/review-2009-san-francisco-ballets-nutcracker/comment-page-1/#comment-1640 alan Fri, 25 Dec 2009 19:07:32 +0000 http://www.saturdaymatineeblog.com/?p=2594#comment-1640 I must have seen a different production, one with pathetic scenery that was disproportionate to the dance troup and made them look like midgets. There were too few dancers, and the orchestra was pathetic. The tree growing scene was borderline pathetic. If this were a high school production it would have been a b. I must have seen a different production, one with pathetic scenery that was disproportionate to the dance troup and made them look like midgets. There were too few dancers, and the orchestra was pathetic. The tree growing scene was borderline pathetic. If this were a high school production it would have been a b.

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