Pacific Northwest Ballet’s 2017-18 Season Brochure

P A C I F I C

N O R T H W E S T

B A L L E T

said George Balanchine to Founding Artistic Director Francia Russell, not long after Pacific Northwest Ballet was created. Acknowledging the exemplary work of Francia and Kent Stowell and their predecessors, he was recognizing PNB’s place in the list of companies that performed his works and carried the torch of his aesthetic.

To honor the 50th anniversary of Balanchine’s Jewels, we present this landmark work with exquisite new costume and scenic designs by Jerome Kaplan (Roméo et Juliette, Cendrillon, Don Quixote, Giselle).

The dashing lines, clean palette, and subtle elegance of Jerome’s designs offer unmistakable innovation.

Over the past twelve years, we’ve presented original works by twenty women. Three are represented in our November program. Her Door to the Sky, Jessica Lang’s ode to Georgia O’Keeffe’s paintings, returns alongside the gritty landscape of Twyla Tharp’s Afternoon Ball. Closing this triptych is a highlight of the season, Plot Point

by Crystal Pite—part film noir and part Hitchcock, set to the edgy score from the movie Psycho.

The focus remains on women with each cast of Swan Lake, as our ballerinas take on the demanding dual role of Odette/Odile. Kent’s production, with Francia’s staging, is a masterful rendering of this treasured classic. Costumes, sets, orchestra, drama, dancers, and fiery fouetté turns make it a PNB repertory staple.

PNB dancer Ezra Thomson hits the mainstage in March when he premieres his first work on the Company. Ulysses Dove’s Red Angels returns, followed by one of William Forsythe’s most alluring pas de deux, Slingerland Duet. Another Forsythe work, One Flat thing, reproduced, is back—expect a few heated conversations around the water cooler as well.

In April, we introduce PNB’s first work by Yuri Possokhov. RAkU tells a dark tale of love and betrayal set in a Japanese temple. Completing the line-up are two blockbuster hits, Alejandro Cerrudo’s Little mortal jump and Crystal Pite’s Emergence. This program is total dance candy.

The final rep of the season brings Chris Wheeldon’s heady Tide Harmonic paired with his sublime After the Rain pas de deux. Ben Millepied's intoxicating Appassionata returns along with Justin Peck’s Year of the Rabbit, to the inventive score by Sufjan Stevens.

I look forward to seeing you at the ballet.

SEASON SPONSORS

MEDIA SPONSORS

2017–2018 Season sponsored in part by:

4Culture, National Endowment for the Arts, Seattle Office of Arts & Culture

Season 2017 2018

Full Season VIP BENEFITS Your subscription saves you up to 25% vs. purchasing tickets individually Two free upgrade vouchers! Upgrade to the best seats in the house for TWO season performances* Free & easy ticket exchanges (including George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®) 20% off your purchase of additional single tickets NEW! 20% off your purchase of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker® Opportunity to purchase discounted, pre-paid parking View complete benefits at PNB.org/SubscriberBenefits Programming subject to change. *Full season exclusive.

BUY NOW!

206.441.2424

PNB.org

All photos © Angela Sterling unless noted. (cover) Lesley Rausch. (opposite) Peter Boal. (this page) Company dancers. © Lindsay Thomas.

REP

50

1

ANNIV

Choreography: George Balanchine

GEORGE BALANCHINE’S MASTERFUL HOMAGE TO BALLET celebrates its 50th anniversary

adorned with new costume and scenic designs created for PNB by Jerome Kaplan (Roméo et Juliette, Cendrillon, Giselle, Don Quixote). Emeralds whispers of grace, courtesy, and French perfume; Rubies sizzles with American sass; and Diamonds conjures the glittering magnificence of old St. Petersburg.

Sept 22–Oct 1, 2017 EMERALDS

Music: Gabriel Fauré

RUBIES

Music: Igor Stravinsky

DIAMONDS

Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky

+ FIRST

LOOK

Friday, September 22 at McCaw Hall

SEASON OPENING GALA YOU ARE INVITED to celebrate the opening of PNB's 2017–2018 season with a dazzling pre-performance cocktail party and elegant backstage dinner after the performance!

For information, visit PNB.org/firstlook. (6:30 pm curtain. Performance tickets sold separately.)

REP

2

TEXTURED • DRAMATIC • RAW

Nov 3 –12, 2017 OUR STAGE IS TEXTURED BY THREE RENOWNED FEMALE CHOREOGRAPHERS with the return of Twyla Tharp's dramatic Afternoon Ball, her raw view of a lost generation, and Jessica Lang's sumptuously painted Her Door to the Sky. Two worlds alternate and escalate to collision in the award-winning Plot Point, a much-anticipated PNB premiere

by Crystal Pite (Emergence).

(left) Elizabeth Murphy in Emeralds, choreography by George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust. (above) Kaori Nakamura in Twyla Tharp's Afternoon Ball™.

AFTERNOON BALL™

Music: Vladimir Martynov Choreography: Twyla Tharp

HER DOOR TO THE SKY

Music: Benjamin Britten Choreography: Jessica Lang

PLOT POINT (PNB PREMIERE) Music: Bernard Herrmann/Owen Belton Choreography: Crystal Pite

REP

3

Made possible by the E. L. Wiegand Foundation

EVER SINCE KENT STOWELL’S STUNNING NEW PRODUCTION OF SWAN LAKE MARKED THE GRAND OPENING OF MCCAW HALL, audiences have been awestruck by its transcendent beauty and power. This most famous of classical ballets is a tour de force on all levels: Tchaikovsky’s glorious score, spectacular costume and scenic designs, plus a ballerina’s hallmark achievement—the dual role of Odette/Odile. For every age from 4 to 104, Swan Lake’s mist-filled rows of exquisite swans hovering protectively around their queen is an ethereal vision that lingers long after leaving the theater. (above) Laura Tisserand and Batkhurel Bold in Kent Stowell's Swan Lake.

Feb 2–11, 2018 Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Choreography: Kent Stowell Staging: Francia Russell

(after Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov)

Scenic Design: Ming Cho Lee Costume Design: Paul Tazewell Lighting Design: Randall G. Chiarelli

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4

RIVETING • FAVORITE • ELECTRIC

Mar 16 –25, 2018 PETER BOAL'S ANNUAL SELECTION offers audiences a riveting duet, a favorite work, a little controversy, and a world premiere by PNB dancer Ezra Thomson. The limbs of a bonded pair sculpt open air in Slingerland Duet, and pure athleticism surges like reverb from Red Angels' electric violin. Audiences have another chance to debate William Forsythe's contrapuntal One Flat Thing, reproduced, as the dancers take cues from each other on, under, and around 20 tables.

(above) Lesley Rausch and Lucien Postlewaite in Red Angels.

WORLD PREMIERE

Choreography: Ezra Thomson

SLINGERLAND DUET

Music: Gavin Bryars Choreography: William Forsythe

RED ANGELS

Music: Richard Einhorn Choreography: Ulysses Dove

ONE FLAT THING, REPRODUCED

Music: Thom Willems Choreography: William Forsythe

REP

5

PLAYFUL • PROFOUND • INTRIGUING

April 13 –22, 2018 A TRIO OF BLOCKBUSTERS includes the return of Crystal Pite's mesmerizing Emergence and Alejandro Cerrudo's cinematic Little mortal jump, a work by turns playful, potent, and poignant. The program's premiere is RAkU, PNB's first work

by Yuri Possokhov. This tale of desire and loyalty captivates with profound character portrayals and intriguing Japanese design layered with digital projection.

LITTLE MORTAL JUMP

Music: Beirut, Andrew Bird/

Alexandre Desplat/Philip Glass/ Max Richter/Tom Waits/ Kathleen Brennan Choreography: Alejandro Cerrudo

RAKU (PNB PREMIERE)

Music: Shinji Eshima Libretto: Gary Wang

Choreography: Yuri Possokhov

EMERGENCE

Music: Owen Belton Choreography: Crystal Pite (above) Company dancers in Crystal Pite's Emergence. © Lindsay Thomas.

REP

6

DIVERSE • PASSIONATE • EXHILARATING

Love &

Ballet

June 1–10, 2018 FROM APPARENT TO ABSTRACT, LOVE REVEALS DIVERSE FACES IN THIS FOUR-PACK OF CONTEMPORARY HITS. Water is thematic in Christopher Wheeldon’s undulating Tide Harmonic as well as his divine After the Rain pas de deux. Appassionata, Benjamin Millepied’s tempestuous and tender work for three couples, makes a welcome return as does Justin Peck’s delightful Year of the Rabbit, an exhilarating rush to the music of Sufjan Stevens.

TIDE HARMONIC

Music: Joby Talbot Choreography: Christopher Wheeldon

AFTER THE RAIN PAS DE DEUX

Music: Arvo Pärt Choreography: Christopher Wheeldon

APPASSIONATA

Music: Ludwig van Beethoven Choreography: Benjamin Millepied

YEAR OF THE RABBIT

Music: Sufjan Stevens Choreography: Justin Peck (above) Elizabeth Murphy and Karel Cruz in Benjamin Millepied's Appassionata.

Order Season Tickets in 3 EASY STEPS

1

CHOOSE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION DAY/DATE/TIME Put six performances on your calendar today! Remember, subscribers can exchange performance dates for FREE! Series

Rep 1

Rep 2

Rep 3

Rep 4

Rep 5

Rep 6

A Fridays at 7:30

Sep 22*

Nov 3

Feb 2

Mar 16

Apr 13

Jun 1

C Saturdays at 2:00

Sep 23

Nov 4

Feb 3**

Mar 17

Apr 14

Jun 2

D Saturdays at 7:30

Sep 23

Nov 4

Feb 3

Mar 17

Apr 14

Jun 2

E Thursdays at 7:30

Sep 28

Nov 9

Feb 8

Mar 22

Apr 19

Jun 7

F Fridays at 7:30

Sep 29

Nov 10

Feb 9

Mar 23

Apr 20

Jun 8

G Saturdays at 7:30

Sep 30

Nov 11

Feb 10

Mar 24

Apr 21

Jun 9

H Sundays at 1:00

Oct 1

Nov 12

Feb 11

Mar 25

Apr 22

Jun 10

Repertory subject to change.

2

*Performance starts at 6:30

**Performance starts at 1:00

CHOOSE YOUR FULL SEASON SEATS Section

Code

Full Season – 6 Shows Standard / Discount**

Second Tier Rear

STR

$150 / 150

Gallery Floor

GF

$240 / 210

Second Tier Front

STF

Orchestra Front

OF

Gallery Lower

GL

First Tier Value

FTV

Orchestra Side

OS

Orchestra Back

OB

Gallery Upper

GU

First Tier

FT

Second Tier Box

STB

First Tier Prime

FTP

Orchestra

O

$570 / 540

Dress Circle

DC

$690 / 660

First Tier Box

FTB

$1080 / 1080

$330 / 300

$420 / 390

$480 / 450

**To receive Senior, Student, or Child discounts: Seniors age 65+ who are taking advantage of the Senior discount for the first time must mail/fax proof of age. Students age 13 and older must mail/fax a copy of valid student ID. Students age 12 and younger, no documentation necessary to receive discount.

Prices include a full-season facility fee of $18.

3

ORDER YOUR PNB SUBSCRIPTION TODAY! Call:

206.441.2424

Our customer service representatives will guide you through selections and answer your questions.

Online:

PNB.ORG

Order subscriptions easily and securely online.

For more information on season ticket packages, call 206.441.2424.

Single tickets on sale July 24, 2017. Programming subject to change.

Enjoy A FIRST CLASS UPGRADE

BY CHOOSING PREFERRED SEATING!

WHAT IS A PREFERRED SEATING DONATION?

A PSD means guaranteed access to prime seating at McCaw Hall, VIP annual membership benefits, and an easy way to support PNB for the season. Choosing a PSD subscription offers the finest view in each section, and the built-in, tax-deductible donation portion of the price brings you these exciting benefits:

WHAT’S YOUR REWARD? • Finest seats in each section

• Hosted wine & hors d’oeuvres at McCaw Hall in a private lounge during your performance ($1,000+)

• Dress rehearsal tickets ($100+) • Invitations to Company rehearsals at our studios ($250+)

• Free parking ($2,000+) • Complimentary dinner for two at an Opening Night Dinner with the Artistic Director ($4,000+)

• An invitation to annual behind-the-scenes Insider’s Tour ($500+)

Want to know more about a PNB Preferred Seating Donation? Go to the next page!

CHOOSE YOUR PREFERRED SEATING

Prices below include a built-in, per-seat, tax-deductible donation.

Visit PNB.org/preferred to view tax-deductible portion.

Section

Code

Series A

Series D, F & G

Series C, E & H

Standard / Discount

Standard / Discount

Standard / Discount

First Tier Preferred

FTPD

$625 / 595

$625 / 595

$625 / 595

Orchestra Preferred

OPD

$1190 / 1160

$835 / 805

$780 / 750

First Tier Box Preferred

FTBPD

$1225 / 1225

$1225 / 1225

$1225 / 1225

Director's Preferred

DPD

$1780 / 1750

$1280 / 1250

$925 / 895

Dress Circle Preferred

DCPD

$3080 / 3080

$1580 / 1580

$1580 / 1580

STR

STF

STR

STR

STF

STF

STR

STF

FT

FT

STR

STF

FT

FTP

FTV

DC DCPD

DC

GU

O

F TB

OS

B

GL

OF

GF

GL GF

STAGE

STB

F TB

ST

F TB

DPD

STB

B

PD

ST

PD

F TB

OPD

OB

STB

O

FTBPD

STB

FTBPD

O OS

DC DCPD

OB

OB

GU

FT

FTPD

STB

STB

DC

FTV

FTPD

FTPD

FTB

FTB

FT

McCaw Hall Subscription STR Second Tier Rear GF Chart Gallery Floor Seating STF OF GL FTV OS OB GU FT STB FTPD FTP O OPD DC DPD FTBPD FTB DCPD

Second Tier Front Orchestra Front Gallery Lower First Tier Value Orchestra Side Orchestra Back Gallery Upper First Tier Second Tier Box First Tier Preferred First Tier Prime Orchestra Orchestra Preferred Dress Circle Director's Preferred First Tier Box Preferred First Tier Box Dress Circle Preferred

LEARN MORE

ABOUT A PREFERRED SEATING DONATION

WHAT IS IT?

The price of a PSD subscription is two-fold: the regular cost of a subscription seat—PLUS a built-in tax-deductible donation. If you are already making a donation and want to apply that to your PSD—you can do that too.

HOW IS A PSD USED?

PSDs support PNB’s annual fund. Our annual fund helps bridge the gap between ticket sales and PNB’s expenses. The donation portion of your gift helps pay for: • Dancers: PNB’s 48 professional dancers are elite artists and athletes who have spent years preparing for a career on the stage. They train, rehearse, tour, and perform full time from our Seattle Center home.

•

PNB School: Considered one of the finest classical ballet training institutions in the world, PNB School’s alumni are members of our Company and hired as professional dancers all around the globe. Each year, the School instructs more than 2,000 students in its two locations.

• Orchestra: The acclaimed PNB Orchestra employs seasoned, professional musicians and is an essential component of the performance experience for both the audience and the artists.

• Community: Each year, thousands of students, teachers, and families participate in dance through in-school programs, visits to our studios, subsidized performances, and community partnerships.

• Behind the scenes: Choreography and music licenses, stagers, technology, physical therapy, rentals, storage, facility operation and maintenance, and—absolutely vital— a very significant shoe bill.

• PNB staff: From faculty to administrators to our stage crew and consultants—your gifts support the people who keep our curtain rising.

If you’d like to know more about a PSD subscription, don’t hesitate to call us at 206.441.2424. Our expert customer service representatives will walk you through all your options.

Thank you for supporting PNB for an entire season!

ADD TO YOUR SEASON SUBSCRIPTION

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ON

FIRST

LOOK

Season Opening Gala

September 22, 2017

Choreography: George Balanchine

JOIN FIRST LOOK GUEST OF HONOR JEROME KAPLAN

—costume and scenic designer for Jewels—for a sparkling evening of dining, music, and dance. An exclusive cocktail party starts the night off. Then, after the performance, the fun continues backstage with an elegant black-tie dinner and lively entertainment.

Please contact PNB Special Events at 206.441.2429, events@PNB.org, or visit PNB.org/firstlook for more information. (The curtain goes up at 6:30 pm. Performance tickets sold separately.) (left) © Lindsay Thomas. (above) Lesley Rausch and Jerome Tisserand in Diamonds, choreography by George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust. © Lindsay Thomas.

ADD

ON

ADD TO YOUR SEASON SUBSCRIPTION

Family Matinee Series HOUR-LONG, NARRATED BALLETS AT MCCAW HALL

Concept and Choreography:

Music:

BRUCE WELLS

JULES MASSENET

PERFORMED BY PNB SCHOOL STUDENTS, Snow White is true to the treasured tale of a jealous Queen, her beautiful stepdaughter, and a legendary kiss from a handsome Prince. Wear your favorite costume and come early for special crafts and a mini dance class.

.org P NB

March 18 & 24, 2018

206.

441.2 424

Former Professional Division student and current PNB Company dancer Elle Macy with PNB School students in Bruce Wells' Snow White.

ADD TO YOUR SEASON SUBSCRIPTION

MUSIC

PETER ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY

DESIGN

ADD

ON

IAN FALCONER

November 24 –December 28, 2017 PUT YOUR HOLIDAY TRADITION ON THE CALENDAR AND SAVE 20%!

Take advantage of a subscriber-exclusive discount, plus free and easy exchanges, by ordering tickets for George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker® now. You and yours can look forward to beautiful snowfalls, Tchaikovsky’s cherished score, gorgeously imagined scenery and costumes, and brilliant performances by PNB’s incredible dancers—plus McCaw Hall glowing with holiday décor and surprises.

M a k e h o l i day m e m o r i e s by p l a n n i n g to day !

u

PNB.org

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u

Noelani Pantastico in George Balanchine's The Nutcracker®, choreography by George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust.

N O R T H W E S T

B A L L E T

(l-r) Noelani Pantastico, Lesley Rausch, and Rachel Foster in Jewels, choreography by George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust. © Angela Sterling.

2017 2018

Season

P A C I F I C

PNB.org

301 Mercer Street Seattle, WA 98109

Pacific Northwest Ballet

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206.441.2424

FULL & MINI SEASON PACK AGES AVA I L A B L E !

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Peter Boal