Mesmerized once again by "A Midsummer Night's Dream"

Francia Russell & Kent Stowell
PNB Founding Artistic Directors

Friday evening, Ken and I attended the pre-performance dinner at McCaw Hall for Pacific Northwest Ballet's opening night of George Balanchine's A Midsummer Night's Dream.  We were delighted to be seated with PNB Founding Artistic Directors and friends, Francia Russell and Kent Stowell.  PNB's unique production was staged by Francia and in addition to the beautiful score by Felix Mendelssohn, boasts set and costume designs by Martin Pakledinaz.

PNB Artistic Director, Peter Boal, recounted watching Francia rehearse the dancers sharing hundreds of corrections and comments until on the final night of dress rehearsal she told the dancers to "just go out and dance and forget all about the corrections, because this ballet now belongs to you".

Once we were ensconced in our seats in the Susan Brotman Auditorium and the lights dimmed, we entered the magical fairly kingdom in a forest with Carrie Imler dancing the role of Titania, Jonathan Porretta the role of Oberon and Josh Spell the role of Puck.  There were 24 children dancing their roles as bugs that added to the magic of the performance with their dancing sophistication.  I love not only the end of the ballet when the bugs wave tiny lights so appear to be fireflies, but also when they artfully collapse on stage in a huddle to sleep.

Since these are five of the eight dancers that will be departing PNB at the end of this season, I especially paid attention to Olivier Wevers dancing the role of Lysander, Chalnessa Eames the role of Hermia, Stacy Lowenberg part of Titania's Retinue, Ariana Lallone the role of Hippolyta, and Jeffrey Stanton dancing the Divertissment pas de deux in Act II.  Each danced beautifully and I will sincerely miss seeing them on stage next year, but will cherish my memories of their performances!