This evening I attended opening night of the Pacific Northwest Ballet new season to hear the Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra perform Prokofiev’s famous score and see Jean-Christophe Maillot’s incredible choreography of Roméo et Juliette. Because audiences were so taken with this ballet when it first premiered in Seattle 18 months ago and have repeatedly requested an encore, PNB Artistic Director, Peter Boal, decided to kick off this season with this story ballet.
The evening began with a beautiful pre-performance “Prelude to a Kiss” dinner in the Allen Room for the Arts in McCaw Hall. My guest, Susan Neumann, and I had a chance to connect with many other friends and ballet enthusiasts during cocktails and dinner including Princess Lada & Larry Schuiski, Peter Horvitz, Kay & John Baxter, Pam & Dan Baty, Suzy & Moe Krabbe, Joan & Bob Cremin, Sarah & John Rindlaub, Carl Behnke, Shelley & Doug Swerland, Julie and Tom Skerrit, Leslie & Dale Chihuly, Linda & Toby Warson, Michele & Dan Heidt, Peggy & Michael Swistak, Sherry & James Raisbeck, Jenny & Rick Redman, Joan and Bob Cremin, Carol Wright and so many more.
At dinner, it was announced that Artistic Director, Peter Boal and PNB have just signed a five year contract extension. This is especially interesting and great news to me because I was the PNB Chairman of the Board when we conducted the search to find and sign Peter Boal as our new Artistic Director a few years ago. Other exciting news announced are the promotions of PNB dancers Maria Chapman and Karel Cruz from soloists to principals, and Lindsi Dec from corps de ballet to soloist. These promotions are all so well-deserved since each one of these dancers is amazing!
Now about the performance. As a Seattle Times reviewer said, “It's a remarkable work...like no 'Romeo and Juliet' ballet you’ve seen before: It's intricate, often achingly beautiful, and never simply pretty." It is impossible not to be transfixed with the sheer beauty of the movements performed by the incredible lead dancers, Carla Korbes as Juliette, Lucien Postlewaite as Romeo, Olivier Wevers as Friar Laurence, Ariana Lallone as Lady Capulet, Jonathan Porretta as Mercutio, and Chalnessa Eames as the nurse. The supporting cast were equally incredible in their roles as well. Jordan Pacitti and Jerome Tisserand were spot on as the acolytes. Especially charming are the awkward arm movements and toes left unpointed to represent the awkwardness of youth when Romeo and Juliette first interact and dance together. Plus, there are many funny moments in the ballet with the nurse being mercilessly teased by Mercutio and Benvolio as well as some of Mercutio’s taunting high-jinx with the Capulets.
Since there are only a few performances that occur this week and next, I really must suggest that you should run, not walk to get tickets to this spectacular ballet and then I want to hear what you think. Was it as beautiful and riveting as I promised? What was your favorite part?
i just saw friday's performance with Kaori nakamura and james moore in the leading roles with carrie imler as lady capulet -- the production was simply wonderful - i saw so much more than i noticed last year - the choreogrophy with the sets is stunning and symbolic - the dancing was fully and beautifully embodied – very very moving (in every sense of that word) - this is a ballet to see and savor. - tara stepenberg
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