PACIFIC NORTHWEST BALLET The Times Are Racing September 20-29, 2024
THE TIME ARE RACING
Pacific Northwest Ballet
McCaw Hall
Seattle, WA
Review: Saturday 9/21/24 7:30 pm Performance
The first repertory of the 2024/2025 Pacific Northwest Ballet season was , “The Time Are Racing” - a three part mixed bill to open the new season at McCaw Hall.
The Veil Between Worlds with choreography by Edwaard Liang and music by Oliver Davis was presented first. I saw this production in 2023 and I enjoyed it then but I enjoyed it even more the second time around. It could be where I was seated or the fact that it had been a minute since I had attended a PNB performance. In any case, the sense of spiritual connection was evident all throughout the piece. The lighting design was enhanced and it elevated the beautiful movements that took place on stage.
I found the outfits a little out of place at times. I think something a little more grand would have served the piece better but this is only a minor quibble. Overall, it was a strong piece and I’m glad they chose to perform it again.
Next we had the world premiere of Black Wave with choreography by Jessica Lang and music by Saline Fisher. If I’m being totally honest here - I thought the piece looked absolutely amazing and the movements were deep with emotional weight. But, by the end of it I had no idea what story was being told. This has happened before with ballet pieces where I felt like I had just watched an art house film that was a massive inside joke (that I wasn’t in on). In the past I could chalk this up to being new to the ballet scene. That doesn’t quite hold as much water these days. I suppose not every piece is for everybody, or at least not right now. Perhaps in the future I’ll understand the storytelling better. We shall see. But, in the end, the piece was great to watch. I just didn’t understand it.
Lastly, The Time Are Racing with choreography by Justin Peck and music by Dan Deacon hit the stage. I remembered this piece from 2022 and it was just as compelling today as it was then.
The large ensemble piece really kept the energy up throughout and it allowed many of the dancers to have solo pieces as showcases. One such lead was clearly struggling with the choreography which could have been nerves or lack of rehearsals (they noted replacements before the program started) but it was still nothing to get worked up about. The overall effect of the piece was powerful and triumphant.
Overall, repertory one was a solid outing to start the new season with. I’m looking forward to what the rest of the season brings.
“The Time Are Racing” runs through September 29th. Purchase tickets: HERE!
Best,
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts Media
Connect with Eclectic Arts Media: Social Media Links and Email
Pacific Northwest Ballet
McCaw Hall
Seattle, WA
Review: Saturday 9/21/24 7:30 pm Performance
The first repertory of the 2024/2025 Pacific Northwest Ballet season was , “The Time Are Racing” - a three part mixed bill to open the new season at McCaw Hall.
(Pacific Northwest Ballet principal dancers Elle Macy and Dylan Wald in Edwaard Liang’s The Veil Between Worlds, which PNB is presenting on a triple-bill with works by Jessica Lang and Justin Peck, onstage at Seattle Center’s McCaw Hall September 20 – 29 (and streaming digitally October 3 – 7.) For tickets, subscriptions, and information, contact the PNB Box Office, 206.441.2424 or PNB.org. Photo © Angela Sterling.)
The Veil Between Worlds with choreography by Edwaard Liang and music by Oliver Davis was presented first. I saw this production in 2023 and I enjoyed it then but I enjoyed it even more the second time around. It could be where I was seated or the fact that it had been a minute since I had attended a PNB performance. In any case, the sense of spiritual connection was evident all throughout the piece. The lighting design was enhanced and it elevated the beautiful movements that took place on stage.
I found the outfits a little out of place at times. I think something a little more grand would have served the piece better but this is only a minor quibble. Overall, it was a strong piece and I’m glad they chose to perform it again.
(Pacific Northwest Ballet soloist Christopher D’Ariano with company dancers in the world premiere of Jessica Lang’s Black Wave, which PNB is presenting on a triple-bill with works by Edwaard Liang and Justin Peck, onstage at Seattle Center’s McCaw Hall September 20 – 29 (and streaming digitally October 3 – 7.) For tickets, subscriptions, and information, contact the PNB Box Office, 206.441.2424 or PNB.org. Photo © Angela Sterling.)
Next we had the world premiere of Black Wave with choreography by Jessica Lang and music by Saline Fisher. If I’m being totally honest here - I thought the piece looked absolutely amazing and the movements were deep with emotional weight. But, by the end of it I had no idea what story was being told. This has happened before with ballet pieces where I felt like I had just watched an art house film that was a massive inside joke (that I wasn’t in on). In the past I could chalk this up to being new to the ballet scene. That doesn’t quite hold as much water these days. I suppose not every piece is for everybody, or at least not right now. Perhaps in the future I’ll understand the storytelling better. We shall see. But, in the end, the piece was great to watch. I just didn’t understand it.
Lastly, The Time Are Racing with choreography by Justin Peck and music by Dan Deacon hit the stage. I remembered this piece from 2022 and it was just as compelling today as it was then.
(Pacific Northwest Ballet company dancers in Justin Peck’s The Times Are Racing, which PNB is presenting on a triple-bill with works by Jessica Lang and Edwaard Liang, onstage at Seattle Center’s McCaw Hall September 20 – 29 (and streaming digitally October 3 – 7.) For tickets, subscriptions, and information, contact the PNB Box Office, 206.441.2424 or PNB.org. Photo © Angela Sterling.)
The large ensemble piece really kept the energy up throughout and it allowed many of the dancers to have solo pieces as showcases. One such lead was clearly struggling with the choreography which could have been nerves or lack of rehearsals (they noted replacements before the program started) but it was still nothing to get worked up about. The overall effect of the piece was powerful and triumphant.
Overall, repertory one was a solid outing to start the new season with. I’m looking forward to what the rest of the season brings.
“The Time Are Racing” runs through September 29th. Purchase tickets: HERE!
Best,
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts Media
Connect with Eclectic Arts Media: Social Media Links and Email
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