Published: Friday, January 29, 2010
PNB’s ‘The Sleeping Beauty’ has it all
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Angela Sterling
Pacific Northwest Ballet principal dancer Olivier Wevers as the evil Carabosse, and principal dancer Carla Korbes as the Lilac Fairy in Ronald Hynd’s “The Sleeping Beauty. “
The summation of Pacific Northwest Ballet’s “The Sleeping Beauty” can be left up to artistic director Peter Boal who said the production has it all.
He listed larger-than-life characters ranging from sweet to scary, lavish sets and costumes, brilliant dancing and Tschaikovsky’s wondrous score.
Ronald Hynd’s “The Sleeping Beauty” has been called a sumptuous marriage of dance, music and design with more than 30 leading roles.
Though Hynd is English, this ballet remains true to Marius Petipa’s 1890 original, starting with the evil fairy Carabosse’s flying entrance in the prologue, to the Rose Adagio’s spectacular balances, to Act III’s celebrated Bluebird dance for two.
Ultimately, however, the success of “The Sleeping Beauty” comes down to one character: Aurora. It is she who must captivate as a teenager but then awaken as a queen, all the while conquering some of the most technically grueling choreography that classical ballet dishes out.
“In the fairy tale court of King Florestan XIV, a gathering has assembled to celebrate the birth of the royal Princess Aurora ...” and so begins “The Sleeping Beauty.”
The story continues to the evil Carabosse’s curse, to fairies that really fly to the charming prince, who must awaken Aurora with a kiss. The ballet surges with an imperial wedding celebration, ending this fairy tale on a note of grandeur and in the style of famous classical ballets.
This February Valentine from PNB promises to deliver a happily-ever-after experience.
“The Sleeping Beauty” opens at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Marion Oliver McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St., Seattle. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11 to 13.
There are 1 p.m. matinees Saturday and Feb. 13 to 14, which are special dress-up shows for princes and princesses of all ages. Young patrons can arrive early to create a craft, take a dance class and meet the dancers in costume.
Tickets range from $25 to $160. Call 206-441-2424 or go to www.pnb.org.
Theresa Goffredo: 425-339-3424; goffredo@heraldnet.com.
He listed larger-than-life characters ranging from sweet to scary, lavish sets and costumes, brilliant dancing and Tschaikovsky’s wondrous score.
Ronald Hynd’s “The Sleeping Beauty” has been called a sumptuous marriage of dance, music and design with more than 30 leading roles.
Though Hynd is English, this ballet remains true to Marius Petipa’s 1890 original, starting with the evil fairy Carabosse’s flying entrance in the prologue, to the Rose Adagio’s spectacular balances, to Act III’s celebrated Bluebird dance for two.
Ultimately, however, the success of “The Sleeping Beauty” comes down to one character: Aurora. It is she who must captivate as a teenager but then awaken as a queen, all the while conquering some of the most technically grueling choreography that classical ballet dishes out.
“In the fairy tale court of King Florestan XIV, a gathering has assembled to celebrate the birth of the royal Princess Aurora ...” and so begins “The Sleeping Beauty.”
The story continues to the evil Carabosse’s curse, to fairies that really fly to the charming prince, who must awaken Aurora with a kiss. The ballet surges with an imperial wedding celebration, ending this fairy tale on a note of grandeur and in the style of famous classical ballets.
This February Valentine from PNB promises to deliver a happily-ever-after experience.
“The Sleeping Beauty” opens at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Marion Oliver McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St., Seattle. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11 to 13.
There are 1 p.m. matinees Saturday and Feb. 13 to 14, which are special dress-up shows for princes and princesses of all ages. Young patrons can arrive early to create a craft, take a dance class and meet the dancers in costume.
Tickets range from $25 to $160. Call 206-441-2424 or go to www.pnb.org.
Theresa Goffredo: 425-339-3424; goffredo@heraldnet.com.
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