Boston Ballet: Pricked Dress Rehearsal: Cacti

 

Cacti is one of the most invigorating ballets I've ever seen, and maybe a new favorite! It's edge of your seat  entertaining, wildly comical (Whitney Jensen and Jeffrey Cirio) and highly recommended, if you get a chance to go (on until May 18!)

See the rest of Pricked, here: Études and DMJ.

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Boston Ballet: Pricked Dress Rehearsal: DMJ

You saw PART I of my behind the scenes look at the Boston Ballet's Dress Rehearsal for PRICKED (on now, until May 18)

Here's a look at DMJ.. with leads beautifully performed by Lia Cirio and Lasha Khozashvili...

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Boston Ballet: Pricked Dress Rehearsal: Études

It's such a thrill to watch a live performance of the ballet and I'm so grateful to be working with the Boston Ballet  for costume production, opening nights and on occasion photographing from the wings!

Last night I had the honor of attending the Dress Rehearsal for the Boston Ballet's newest production: Pricked, a repertory program with the first being the breathtaking "Études", an ode to classical ballet.

The other two pieces in Pricked are making their American premieres, "D.M.J" is a heart-breakingly beautiful piece while "Cacti" (with real cacti on stage) is invigorating, powerful and truly a work of art.

As is the Boston Opera House. Without the hustle of the crowds and ushers, it really was a treat to take in the beauty of the interior, and also pick a different seat during intermissions. :) During a dress rehearsal the curtain stays open and the artistic staff, including director Mikko Nissinen, choreographers and ballet masters interact with the company of dancers.

So, with only the orchestra between me and the stage...here's a look at Pricked: "Études"...

Opening night is TONIGHT, May 8-18.

Boston: The Nutcracker 2013: A Backstage Look, Part II

Intermission to the audience is a chance to stretch, to walk about the beautiful Opera House theater for a snack or drink, or to run to the restroom.

On the other side of the curtain, intermission is a smoothly managed production of switching from one act to the next.

It means sweeping up all the "snow" from the Waltz of the Snowflakes, lowering the giant chandelier props from the rafters, rotating the stage lighting so that leftover snow falls off.

It means stretches and warmups for the dancers, and setting up the dry ice machines for what's coming up next....

When the curtain rises again, everyone is ready...

More to come!

Boston: The Nutcracker 2013: A Backstage Look, Part I

I was beyond excited and honored to photograph a live production of the Boston Ballet's Nutcracker from the wings and backstage this season. It was a dream come true! If you remember, last season, I was invited for a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the costumes, which was a delight in itself.

This season, to be able to see such incredible artistry up close was just magical. I'm amazed by how professional, disciplined and organized the Boston Ballet production is backstage!

With the "Waltz of the Snowflakes" even I was covered from head to toe with "snow" as I photographed from the wings, making the dream a reality. The amazing dancers were literally within arm's length. 

It's truly been an amazing year of photoshoots in Boston!

Here's to a Happy 2014!

Press play and join me for an inside look at the Boston Ballet's The Nutcracker...

More to come!