Apparently, I am a fan
Review of Director's Choice by Renee A., age 16
Two hours of watching ballerinas twirl around a stage was not exactly my idea of a great Thursday night. After doing ballet for ten years I wasn’t used to being the one in the audience, and I didn’t think that I would like it. So as my friend and I headed to McCaw Hall to watch Pacific Northwest Ballet’s latest performance called Director’s Choice, my expectations were not so high. But I would like to take this moment to admit that I was completely proven wrong. Apparently I am a fan of being in the audience, as the show completely exceeded my expectations.
Pacific Northwest Ballet company dancers in the PNB premiere of William Forsythe's One Flat Thing, reproduced. Photo by Angela Sterling
Director’s Choice is a showcase for contemporary works specifically chosen by PNB Artistic Director Peter Boal. This year’s performances are called Sense of Doubt (choreographed by Paul Gibson), Fur Alina (choreographed by Edwaard Liang), Vespers (choreographed by Ulysses Dove), and One Flat Thing, reproduced (choreographed by William Forsythe). Sense of Doubt is the first performance and it is a great way to open the show. This dance features a solo, duet, trio, and quartet that take turns displaying beautiful choreography on the stage that suggest a sense of anxiety and intrigue. The soloist was my favorite part of the dance. Her name is Noelani Pantastico and she is a joy to watch.
Fur Alina, my favorite display of the night, shows the struggle between two lovers. The music is barely there which makes the emotions flowing from the two dancers all the more real. Batkhurel Bold and Miranda Weese definitely deserved the rounds and rounds of applause they received at the finish of their piece.
Vespers is the most upbeat dance in the show, literally, as the music consists of erratic drumbeats. The choreography consists of six female dancers, all wearing some variation of a black dress, performing around wooden chairs. This piece was inspired by the choreographer’s grandmother and the other women that she worshipped with. My favorite part of this dance was that once again I was able to witness Noelani Pantastico dance.
The last piece of the show is One Flat Thing, reproduced and is by far the most impressive dance of the night. The choreography involves fourteen dancers moving swiftly and erratically around twenty metal tables. Every dancer wears a different color so the dance is filled with a medley of colors. The dramatic movement of the dancers is almost confusing-I didn’t know where to look-but I enjoyed every moment of it.
I would encourage all people to go see this show. Besides the high performance quality, the venue is great and the staff is eager to help make your evening the best it can possibly be. Even if you don’t think you like ballet, try something new and give this show a chance because I am quite sure you will not regret it!
Renee A.
March 13th, 2008
Director's Choice
Pacific Northwest Ballet
March 13 – 22
More info and show times: http://www.pnb.org/
PNB’s Ticket Office: 206-441-2424
Ticket Office Hours: Weekdays 10 a.m. – show time, weekends 90 minutes before show time
Pacific Northwest Ballet is located at McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer Street, on the north edge of Seattle Center. It is served by buses 1,2,3,4,13,14,15,16,18,45,74 and 82. For bus schedules: tripplanner.metrokc.gov
Did you see this show? Leave a comment and tell everyone what you thought!
Two hours of watching ballerinas twirl around a stage was not exactly my idea of a great Thursday night. After doing ballet for ten years I wasn’t used to being the one in the audience, and I didn’t think that I would like it. So as my friend and I headed to McCaw Hall to watch Pacific Northwest Ballet’s latest performance called Director’s Choice, my expectations were not so high. But I would like to take this moment to admit that I was completely proven wrong. Apparently I am a fan of being in the audience, as the show completely exceeded my expectations.
Pacific Northwest Ballet company dancers in the PNB premiere of William Forsythe's One Flat Thing, reproduced. Photo by Angela Sterling
Director’s Choice is a showcase for contemporary works specifically chosen by PNB Artistic Director Peter Boal. This year’s performances are called Sense of Doubt (choreographed by Paul Gibson), Fur Alina (choreographed by Edwaard Liang), Vespers (choreographed by Ulysses Dove), and One Flat Thing, reproduced (choreographed by William Forsythe). Sense of Doubt is the first performance and it is a great way to open the show. This dance features a solo, duet, trio, and quartet that take turns displaying beautiful choreography on the stage that suggest a sense of anxiety and intrigue. The soloist was my favorite part of the dance. Her name is Noelani Pantastico and she is a joy to watch.
Fur Alina, my favorite display of the night, shows the struggle between two lovers. The music is barely there which makes the emotions flowing from the two dancers all the more real. Batkhurel Bold and Miranda Weese definitely deserved the rounds and rounds of applause they received at the finish of their piece.
Vespers is the most upbeat dance in the show, literally, as the music consists of erratic drumbeats. The choreography consists of six female dancers, all wearing some variation of a black dress, performing around wooden chairs. This piece was inspired by the choreographer’s grandmother and the other women that she worshipped with. My favorite part of this dance was that once again I was able to witness Noelani Pantastico dance.
The last piece of the show is One Flat Thing, reproduced and is by far the most impressive dance of the night. The choreography involves fourteen dancers moving swiftly and erratically around twenty metal tables. Every dancer wears a different color so the dance is filled with a medley of colors. The dramatic movement of the dancers is almost confusing-I didn’t know where to look-but I enjoyed every moment of it.
I would encourage all people to go see this show. Besides the high performance quality, the venue is great and the staff is eager to help make your evening the best it can possibly be. Even if you don’t think you like ballet, try something new and give this show a chance because I am quite sure you will not regret it!
Renee A.
March 13th, 2008
Director's Choice
Pacific Northwest Ballet
March 13 – 22
More info and show times: http://www.pnb.org/
PNB’s Ticket Office: 206-441-2424
Ticket Office Hours: Weekdays 10 a.m. – show time, weekends 90 minutes before show time
Pacific Northwest Ballet is located at McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer Street, on the north edge of Seattle Center. It is served by buses 1,2,3,4,13,14,15,16,18,45,74 and 82. For bus schedules: tripplanner.metrokc.gov
Did you see this show? Leave a comment and tell everyone what you thought!
