Kent Stowell's SWAN LAKE Pacific Northwest Ballet February 2- 11 Review
Kent Stowell’s Swan Lake
Pacific Northwest Ballet
McCaw Hall
Seattle, WA
Review: Saturday 2/3/24 7:30 pm Performance
The return of Swan Lake to the PNB was somewhat surprising when I saw it on the list for the 23/24 season. It had just been performed in April of 2022 but it’s a known crowd pleaser and I was interested in seeing how it came across a second time. Having been absent from McCaw Hall since early November, I was looking forward to the performance on Saturday evening.
Angelica Generosa (Odette/Odile) was one of the dancers that I enjoyed when she was a soloist. When she was deservedly promoted to principal dancer, I honestly think I hadn’t seen her dance since the promotion. So, when I saw the casting, I was extra hyped to see her performance. Jonathan Batista (Prince Siegfried) had already impressed me in other productions with his passionate, full of personality, dancing. The pairing was of great interest to me prior to the performance.
Act I was long. I think it actually felt long as the performance looked under rehearsed. I don’t consider myself a ballet scholar by any means but I feel if I notice things that look, well, sloppy, then that’s a rather bad sign for the more trained ballet eye. There were parts that were solid such as Kuu Sakuragi as the Jester. His performance was a standout whenever he was on stage. But, some of the other parts were in need of some more rehearsal time in my humble opinion.
Act II and Act III were where things really took off in the right direction. Angelica was masterful in her dancing throughout her scenes on stage. She danced with confidence and joy, a really wonderful combination that translated to the stage. When she partnered with Jonathan, they seamlessly wowed the audience with their artistry and command of the choreography. Having said that, there were times when Jonathan’s dancing overshadowed Angelica’s. If a smidge more of her personality came through, it would have evened the score. But, that’s a minor, minor quibble.
The dance of the little swans was of course brilliant for the veteran patron and the newcomer. It received a loud round of applause at its conclusion and rightfully so. It was executed with grace and precision. A visual ballet treat.
Act IV brings the storyline home, the tragedy, and the eventual multiple curtain calls. The Saturday audience was definitely vocal in their appreciation of the performance and that only added to the atmosphere inside McCaw Hall.
Overall, the performance was wonderful to watch and now this is the second full length classical ballet I’ve seen more than once by the Pacific Northwest Ballet. I’m starting to feel like an old timer, even though I’m not.
Recommended!
Performances run through Sunday February 11th. Tickets are available: HERE!
Best,
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts Media
Connect with Eclectic Arts Media: Social Media Links Here
Pacific Northwest Ballet
McCaw Hall
Seattle, WA
Review: Saturday 2/3/24 7:30 pm Performance
(Pacific Northwest Ballet principal dancers Angelica Generosa and Jonathan Batista in Kent Stowell’s Swan Lake. PNB presents Swan Lake onstage at Seattle Center’s McCaw Hall February 2 – 11, 2024 (and streaming for digital subscribers February 15 – 19.) For tickets and information, contact the PNB Box Office, 206.441.2424 or PNB.org. Photo © Angela Sterling.)
The return of Swan Lake to the PNB was somewhat surprising when I saw it on the list for the 23/24 season. It had just been performed in April of 2022 but it’s a known crowd pleaser and I was interested in seeing how it came across a second time. Having been absent from McCaw Hall since early November, I was looking forward to the performance on Saturday evening.
Angelica Generosa (Odette/Odile) was one of the dancers that I enjoyed when she was a soloist. When she was deservedly promoted to principal dancer, I honestly think I hadn’t seen her dance since the promotion. So, when I saw the casting, I was extra hyped to see her performance. Jonathan Batista (Prince Siegfried) had already impressed me in other productions with his passionate, full of personality, dancing. The pairing was of great interest to me prior to the performance.
Act I was long. I think it actually felt long as the performance looked under rehearsed. I don’t consider myself a ballet scholar by any means but I feel if I notice things that look, well, sloppy, then that’s a rather bad sign for the more trained ballet eye. There were parts that were solid such as Kuu Sakuragi as the Jester. His performance was a standout whenever he was on stage. But, some of the other parts were in need of some more rehearsal time in my humble opinion.
(Pacific Northwest Ballet principal dancers Angelica Generosa and Jonathan Batista in Kent Stowell’s Swan Lake. PNB presents Swan Lake onstage at Seattle Center’s McCaw Hall February 2 – 11, 2024 (and streaming for digital subscribers February 15 – 19.) For tickets and information, contact the PNB Box Office, 206.441.2424 or PNB.org. Photo © Angela Sterling.)
Act II and Act III were where things really took off in the right direction. Angelica was masterful in her dancing throughout her scenes on stage. She danced with confidence and joy, a really wonderful combination that translated to the stage. When she partnered with Jonathan, they seamlessly wowed the audience with their artistry and command of the choreography. Having said that, there were times when Jonathan’s dancing overshadowed Angelica’s. If a smidge more of her personality came through, it would have evened the score. But, that’s a minor, minor quibble.
The dance of the little swans was of course brilliant for the veteran patron and the newcomer. It received a loud round of applause at its conclusion and rightfully so. It was executed with grace and precision. A visual ballet treat.
Act IV brings the storyline home, the tragedy, and the eventual multiple curtain calls. The Saturday audience was definitely vocal in their appreciation of the performance and that only added to the atmosphere inside McCaw Hall.
Overall, the performance was wonderful to watch and now this is the second full length classical ballet I’ve seen more than once by the Pacific Northwest Ballet. I’m starting to feel like an old timer, even though I’m not.
Recommended!
Performances run through Sunday February 11th. Tickets are available: HERE!
Best,
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts Media
Connect with Eclectic Arts Media: Social Media Links Here
(Pacific Northwest Ballet company dancers and PNB School students in Kent Stowell’s Swan Lake. PNB presents Swan Lake onstage at Seattle Center’s McCaw Hall February 2 – 11, 2024 (and streaming for digital subscribers February 15 – 19.) For tickets and information, contact the PNB Box Office, 206.441.2424 or PNB.org. Photo © Angela Sterling.)
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