PACIFIC NORTHWEST BALLET "PLOT POINTS" March 19, 2022 Eclectic Arts
Plot Points
PACIFIC NORTHWEST BALLET
McCaw Hall
Seattle, WA
Review: Saturday 3/19/22 7:30 pm Performance
Performances run through Sunday March 27th
It was mixed-bill time on Saturday evening. The Pacific Northwest Ballet's “Plot Points” is also Rep 4 for the 2021/2022 season. The very first performance I ever reviewed was a mixed-bill back in November of 2018. For my personal artistic taste, they are, well, a mix. I am happy to report that “Plot Points” was by far my favorite mixed-bill I’ve ever reviewed.
The program consisted of four pieces. A world premiere, a PNB premiere, and two other pieces rounded out the performance.
Beginning with the world premiere of “Before I Was” with choreography by Robyn Mineko Williams, the program was off to a questionable start. I was left confused by this piece. This isn’t necessarily a reflection on the piece as I am still wet behind the ears as a ballet reviewer but whenever I see a piece where I’m left scratching my head, that’s not good. My plus one was also confused by it so it wasn’t just me. I think the ballet faithful probably have a different opinion of it but I was just hoping the rest of the program would resonate with me more than this one did.
Thankfully, the next piece “Caught” with choreography by David Parsons grabbed my attention and never let go. The use of strobe lights with the strict dance timing of dancer Kuu Sakuragi created a wonderful feast for the eyes. There were intentional moments where the strobe lights made it appear as if Kuu was never on the ground - walking and leaping through the air from block to block, much like flipping pages in a book to create motion. For those that had never seen this piece before, it was mesmerizing and Kuu’s dance was an incredible show of athleticism and grace. An inspired piece.
“Plot Point” with choreography by Crystal Pite was up after the first intermission and being a fan of film, this one also got high marks from me. I loved the marriage of dance and cinema to create a unique narrative that I would love to see utilized more. The inspiration from Hitchock’s “Psycho” and the film noir genre created a spectacle that was also mesmerizing. The sets, costumes, lighting design, all of it made for an ambitious piece that was executed flawlessly. I could have watched a full program of this type of work.
The last piece after the second intermission was the PNB premiere of “The Times Are Racing” with choreography by Justin Peck. A more modern day take on dance, this was a huge ensemble piece that also featured soloist moments that really, really worked. It was a contrast to the other three works and was an uplifting piece that ended the night on a high note.
As I mentioned earlier, this was by far the strongest mixed bill I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing for the Pacific Northwest Ballet. If you’re a new patron, you’ll find at least one piece that you’ll be excited about (probably more than one to be honest). If you’re a seasoned patron, I’m guessing you enjoyed all four or nitpicked at one piece due to it not being “traditional” ballet material.
In any event, “Plot Points” is a strong program and one I highly recommend everyone see before it closes.
“Plot Points” runs through March 27th. Purchase tickets: HERE!
Best,
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts
PACIFIC NORTHWEST BALLET
McCaw Hall
Seattle, WA
Review: Saturday 3/19/22 7:30 pm Performance
Performances run through Sunday March 27th
Pacific Northwest Ballet company dancers in Crystal Pite’s Plot Point, which PNB is presenting on a mixed-bill with works by Robyn Mineko Williams, David Parsons, and Justin Peck, onstage at Seattle Center’s McCaw Hall March 18 – 27, and streaming digitally March 31 – April 4. For tickets contact the PNB Box Office, 206.441.2424 or PNB.org. Photo © Angela Sterling.
It was mixed-bill time on Saturday evening. The Pacific Northwest Ballet's “Plot Points” is also Rep 4 for the 2021/2022 season. The very first performance I ever reviewed was a mixed-bill back in November of 2018. For my personal artistic taste, they are, well, a mix. I am happy to report that “Plot Points” was by far my favorite mixed-bill I’ve ever reviewed.
The program consisted of four pieces. A world premiere, a PNB premiere, and two other pieces rounded out the performance.
Beginning with the world premiere of “Before I Was” with choreography by Robyn Mineko Williams, the program was off to a questionable start. I was left confused by this piece. This isn’t necessarily a reflection on the piece as I am still wet behind the ears as a ballet reviewer but whenever I see a piece where I’m left scratching my head, that’s not good. My plus one was also confused by it so it wasn’t just me. I think the ballet faithful probably have a different opinion of it but I was just hoping the rest of the program would resonate with me more than this one did.
Pacific Northwest Ballet principal dancer Elle Macy in David Parsons’ Caught, which PNB is presenting on a mixed-bill with works by Robyn Mineko Williams, Crystal Pite, and Justin Peck, onstage at Seattle Center’s McCaw Hall March 18 – 27, and streaming digitally March 31 – April 4. For tickets contact the PNB Box Office, 206.441.2424 or PNB.org. Photo © Angela Sterling.
Thankfully, the next piece “Caught” with choreography by David Parsons grabbed my attention and never let go. The use of strobe lights with the strict dance timing of dancer Kuu Sakuragi created a wonderful feast for the eyes. There were intentional moments where the strobe lights made it appear as if Kuu was never on the ground - walking and leaping through the air from block to block, much like flipping pages in a book to create motion. For those that had never seen this piece before, it was mesmerizing and Kuu’s dance was an incredible show of athleticism and grace. An inspired piece.
“Plot Point” with choreography by Crystal Pite was up after the first intermission and being a fan of film, this one also got high marks from me. I loved the marriage of dance and cinema to create a unique narrative that I would love to see utilized more. The inspiration from Hitchock’s “Psycho” and the film noir genre created a spectacle that was also mesmerizing. The sets, costumes, lighting design, all of it made for an ambitious piece that was executed flawlessly. I could have watched a full program of this type of work.
Pacific Northwest Ballet company dancers in Justin Peck’s The Times Are Racing, which PNB is presenting on a mixed-bill with works by Robyn Mineko Williams, David Parsons, and Crystal Pite, onstage at Seattle Center’s McCaw Hall March 18 – 27, and streaming digitally March 31 – April 4. For tickets contact the PNB Box Office, 206.441.2424 or PNB.org. Photo © Angela Sterling.
The last piece after the second intermission was the PNB premiere of “The Times Are Racing” with choreography by Justin Peck. A more modern day take on dance, this was a huge ensemble piece that also featured soloist moments that really, really worked. It was a contrast to the other three works and was an uplifting piece that ended the night on a high note.
As I mentioned earlier, this was by far the strongest mixed bill I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing for the Pacific Northwest Ballet. If you’re a new patron, you’ll find at least one piece that you’ll be excited about (probably more than one to be honest). If you’re a seasoned patron, I’m guessing you enjoyed all four or nitpicked at one piece due to it not being “traditional” ballet material.
In any event, “Plot Points” is a strong program and one I highly recommend everyone see before it closes.
“Plot Points” runs through March 27th. Purchase tickets: HERE!
Best,
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts
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