Pacific Northwest Ballet’s new season features six world premieres along with plenty of classic audience favorites.
To celebrate its 40th season, PNB offers a special three-week, early-bird ticket deal where patrons will pay no service fees on tickets bought through Aug. 10.
Also to help kick off their ruby season, PNB will host “Celebrate Seattle” at 6 p.m. Sept. 16 at Marion Oliver McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St., Seattle.
This event combines music, dance, video and song and features the Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra performing music from “Back to the Future,” “Lost in Space” and “The Pink Panther,” paired with Stravinsky, Bizet, Dvorak and Beethoven.
NASA astronauts are among the special guests in this multimedia event, according to a PNB press release.
“We’re celebrating this 40th anniversary milestone by honoring our past and leaping forward with six new works,” artistic director Peter Boal said.
The six premieres include works by Mark Morris and Christopher Wheeldon. Audience favorites include the return of “Cinderella,” “Romeo et Juliette” and “Swan Lake.”
And “The Nutcracker,” of course.
The season lineup:
“Cinderella”: Sept. 21. This performance honors founding artistic director Kent Stowell as his choreography recalls Cinderella’s long-lost mother in a tender memory scene and then returns her in the guise of the Fairy Godmother. Opening night also includes a performance of “Circus Polka” with music by Stravinsky and choreography by Jerome Robbins
“All Premiere”: Nov. 2. This four-pack of world premieres includes choreographer Mark Morris’ first commissioned ballet for PNB to a cello concerto by Paul Hindemith; company soloist Kiyon Gaines debuts his second ballet for the main stage, an homage to George Balanchine and Kent Stowell; and company corps de ballet dancers Margaret Mullin and Andrew Bartee each presenting their first works.
“Nutcracker”: Dec. 7. This traditional holiday show is not part of PNB’s subscription season but is as much a part of Christmas as opening presents. Choreographer Kent Stowell collaborated with the late children’s author Maurice Sendak to feature more than 200 roles, gigantic moving sets and Tchaikovsky’s score.
“Romeo et Juliette”: Feb. 1. Jean-Christophe Maillot’s tale of forbidden love is grounded in classical ballet but feels progressive.
“Modern Masterpieces”: March 15. This mixed bill offers Ulysses Dove’s ode to love and loss “Dancing on the Front Porch of Heaven;” Twyla Tharp’s exuberant “In the Upper Room;” “Concerto Barocco,” George Balanchine’s testament to Bach via Francia Russell; and Paul Gibson’s new work set to Mozart.
“Hansel &Gretel”: March 17. A narrated, hour-long ballet for families based on the classic fairy tale of a brother and sister who become lost in the forest and find a house made of deliciousness and a witch.
“Swan Lake”: April 12. A classic ballet tells the tale of Odette, trapped in the body of a white swan until the oath of a faithful man sets her free.
“Director’s Choice”: May 31. A tribute to George Balanchine with the avant-garde “Agon” and the dazzling “Diamonds.”
The season includes an encore performance and a performance of new works that are not part of PNB’s subscription season.
Season tickets are on sale now and can be bought without service fees through Aug. 10. Call 206-441-2424 or go to the box office at 301 Mercer St. or online at pnb.org. All PNB performances are at Marion Oliver McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer Street, Seattle.
Theresa Goffredo: 425-339-3424; goffredo@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
