Pacific Northwest Ballet (PNB) has announced that they will be releasing video recordings of three ballets from their repertoire for free: One Thousand Pieces (2020), Swan Lake (2018), and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2019). The entire run of One Thousand Pieces was unfortunately canceled earlier this season due to COVID-19, so this recorded performance is entirely new to the public.
In addition to the three ballets that will be released for anyone to view for free, PNB will be releasing two more ballets—Giselle (2014) and Waiting at the Station (2013)—to donors, subscribers, and ticket purchasers of the respective ballets. The videos will be released over the next two months, beginning this evening, May 1 with One Thousand Pieces. The videos will be available on PNB’s Facebook page and their YouTube channel.
Over the past month we have seen numerous organizations move from the stage to the screen, doing everything they can to stay connected to their audiences during these tumultuous times. PNB Artistic Director Peter Boal spoke to our new reality, saying, “It’s hard to imagine a ballet company that doesn’t offer live performances, but in this new world we live in, we adapt as best we can. At PNB, we keep dancing, making music, creating choreography and lifting spirits. We see ballet as an essential art form and we know our audiences do too. How proud we are to share these inspired rehearsals and performances with you.”
Pacific Northwest Ballet earns over 75% of its funding through ticket sales and the PNB School tuition, much of which has been lost. So as you tune in, consider donating to the wonderful dancers, musicians, administrative and artistic staff that are bringing the ballet to your home. Donate to Pacific Northwest Ballet.
One Thousand Pieces
May 1–6, 2020 (available to the public)
This ballet by Seattle-favorite Alejandro Cerrudo (Little mortal jump, Silent Ghost), was to be a Pacific Northwest Ballet premiere. The large-scale ensemble work is inspired by artist Marc Chagall and features the music of Philip Glass. This video was recorded at the final dress rehearsal on March 12, 2020.
Giselle
May 8–13, 2020 (available to donors, subscribers and Giselle ticket holders)
Giselle, the story of a young woman who dies of a broken heart, is famous for the Wilis—a sisterhood of ghostly maidens who call Giselle’s spirit from the grave to take revenge on the nobleman who betrayed her. This production uses the choreography of Jean Coralli, Jules Perrot, Marius Petipa, and Peter Boal, with music by Adolphe Adam. This is an archival video from opening night on May 30, 2014, featuring Kaori Nakamura and Jerome Tisserand.
Swan Lake
May 22–27, 2020 (available to the public)
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. This video was recorded at the final dress rehearsal on February 1, 2018, featuring Noelani Pantastico and Seth Orza.
Waiting at the Station
June 5–10, 2020 (available to donors, subscribers and Pite-Tharp-Liang ticket holders)
Waiting at the Station is a short narrative ballet choreographed by Twyla Tharp and set to a collection of compositions—both old and new—by R&B artist Allen Toussaint. Scenic and costume designs by Santo Loquasto set the scene in 1940’s New Orleans. This video was recorded at the final dress rehearsal on September 27, 2013.This video release will also include tributes to departing dancers Benjamin Griffiths and Margaret Mullin.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
June 24–29, 2020 (available to the public)
A garden of delight for all ages, PNB’s production of George Balanchine’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream—Shakespeare’s comic tale of romantic confusion—charms all who wander into its enchanted realm. Set deep in a lush Northwest-inspired forest, the ballet follows the quarrels of the King and Queen of the Fairies and mayhem of mismatched lovers, abetted by mischief-maker Puck. This video was recorded at the final dress rehearsal on April 11, 2019, featuring Laura Tisserand and Kyle Davis.