GISELLE Pacific Northwest Ballet February 3, 2023 Eclectic Arts Media
GISELLE
Pacific Northwest Ballet
McCaw Hall
Seattle, WA
Review: Friday 2/3/23 7:30 pm Performance
The first Pacific Northwest Ballet production of 2023 was the stirring ghost story “Giselle”, a classical full length ballet. I had been looking forward to this particular show ever since it was announced for the PNB’s 50th Anniversary season.
For the opening night performance, the lead roles were played by longtime fan favorite Lesley Rausch (Giselle) and James Kirby Rogers (Albert). Divided into two acts, the story begins very much like a silent movie. While mime gesturing is common in ballet, in this production it was very much a focal point which made for dynamic storytelling. Dance, fear, love, death, and ghostly apparitions told the tale of Giselle and Duke Albert.
The first act was very much the setup for the second act. A stark contrast of staging really brought home the difference in the story and the surroundings. From bright and current day to dark and foreboding.
I have always had a love of the darker side of life. Act II tapped into that love but only in a small way. The ghostly aspect of the second act could have been even moreso. I realize this is a classical ballet but, for instance, the fog that was used could have lasted longer. I loved that it initially looked like the performers were floating like ghosts. If the fog had continued to cover up their pointe shoes, it would have had an even darker effect. I would have loved for even more variance in the lighting design as well to amplify the otherworldly feeling on stage.
The initial dancing in the first act was solid as one would expect from the PNB but there was a time or two where the dancer's last step didn’t end on the exact last note with the PNB orchestra. As the event progressed, the dancers and the orchestra definitely got more in sync.
Standouts included Elle Macy as Myrtha, Queen of the Wilis. Her performance in the second act was strong and bold and really fit her character well. James Kirby Rogers was technically sound throughout the performance. His gesturing told the story well and his athleticism shined during the event.
Lesley Rausch did Lesley Rausch things (to borrow a common descriptor from the NFL). The combination of her elevated dance skills, her emotional gesturing of the character, and her instincts really made the show work. In lesser hands, the character would have been a confusing mess but Lesley’s Giselle was the centerpoint of every scene and, like all the great ones, elevated those around her.
Overall, “Giselle” was a strong outing for the PNB and a show that could also potentially work as a transition show for the ballet curious crowd (i.e. those that come once a year).
“Giselle” runs through February 12th. Purchase tickets: HERE!
Best,
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts Media
Connect with Eclectic Arts Media: Social Media Links Here
Pacific Northwest Ballet
McCaw Hall
Seattle, WA
Review: Friday 2/3/23 7:30 pm Performance
(Pacific Northwest Ballet principal dancers James Kirby Rogers and Lesley Rausch, in Peter Boal’s staging of Giselle. PNB presents Giselle February 3 – 12, 2023, as part of its 50th Anniversary season. (Streaming digitally February 16 - 20.) Photo © Angela Sterling.)
The first Pacific Northwest Ballet production of 2023 was the stirring ghost story “Giselle”, a classical full length ballet. I had been looking forward to this particular show ever since it was announced for the PNB’s 50th Anniversary season.
For the opening night performance, the lead roles were played by longtime fan favorite Lesley Rausch (Giselle) and James Kirby Rogers (Albert). Divided into two acts, the story begins very much like a silent movie. While mime gesturing is common in ballet, in this production it was very much a focal point which made for dynamic storytelling. Dance, fear, love, death, and ghostly apparitions told the tale of Giselle and Duke Albert.
The first act was very much the setup for the second act. A stark contrast of staging really brought home the difference in the story and the surroundings. From bright and current day to dark and foreboding.
(Pacific Northwest Ballet principal dancers James Kirby Rogers and Lesley Rausch, in Peter Boal’s staging of Giselle. PNB presents Giselle February 3 – 12, 2023, as part of its 50th Anniversary season. (Streaming digitally February 16 - 20.) Photo © Angela Sterling.)
I have always had a love of the darker side of life. Act II tapped into that love but only in a small way. The ghostly aspect of the second act could have been even moreso. I realize this is a classical ballet but, for instance, the fog that was used could have lasted longer. I loved that it initially looked like the performers were floating like ghosts. If the fog had continued to cover up their pointe shoes, it would have had an even darker effect. I would have loved for even more variance in the lighting design as well to amplify the otherworldly feeling on stage.
The initial dancing in the first act was solid as one would expect from the PNB but there was a time or two where the dancer's last step didn’t end on the exact last note with the PNB orchestra. As the event progressed, the dancers and the orchestra definitely got more in sync.
(Pacific Northwest Ballet principal dancers James Kirby Rogers and Lesley Rausch, in Peter Boal’s staging of Giselle. PNB presents Giselle February 3 – 12, 2023, as part of its 50th Anniversary season. (Streaming digitally February 16 - 20.) Photo © Angela Sterling.)
Standouts included Elle Macy as Myrtha, Queen of the Wilis. Her performance in the second act was strong and bold and really fit her character well. James Kirby Rogers was technically sound throughout the performance. His gesturing told the story well and his athleticism shined during the event.
Lesley Rausch did Lesley Rausch things (to borrow a common descriptor from the NFL). The combination of her elevated dance skills, her emotional gesturing of the character, and her instincts really made the show work. In lesser hands, the character would have been a confusing mess but Lesley’s Giselle was the centerpoint of every scene and, like all the great ones, elevated those around her.
Overall, “Giselle” was a strong outing for the PNB and a show that could also potentially work as a transition show for the ballet curious crowd (i.e. those that come once a year).
“Giselle” runs through February 12th. Purchase tickets: HERE!
Best,
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts Media
Connect with Eclectic Arts Media: Social Media Links Here
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