I see. OK, it looks like my preferred workflow is not possible (except perhaps in Pro). An alternative would be to work more in the track view. There, I can pick out the phrases, as they are displayed graphically. This makes it possible to select and edit phrases fairly easily. It would be a different workflow, but definitely possible.
The other major component of my workflow is using an event list. Sonar and Reaper both have this. I use it to add volume changes, velocities and other CC events. I don’t see that Cubase has an event list. What would be the easiest way to do this?