PACIFIC NORTHWEST BALLET "In The Upper Room" Rep 2 November 7 through November 16, 2025 Review
IN THE UPPER ROOM
Pacific Northwest Ballet
McCaw Hall
Seattle, WA
Review: Saturday 11/8/25 7:30 pm Performance
I was very glad to be back at the Pacific Northwest Ballet for the 2025/2026 season last night. I had to miss the first rep back in September so this performance of the second rep held extra special meaning for me.
I had only reviewed one of the three pieces prior (back in 2023) so two of the pieces were going to be brand new to me.
AFTERTIME
Music: Fiona Stocks-Lyon and Thomas Nickell
Choreography: Christopher D’Ariano and Amanda Morgan
This world premiere piece started off the program Saturday evening. A modern take on society, artificial intelligence, and where we’re headed in the future, the piece was rather odd to me. There have been other modern dance pieces that I’ve reviewed over the years that honestly went over my head. This was another one. I was really trying to find something to hold on to, something to pull me into the story and the dance, but unfortunately I just couldn’t find anything. I think much of it has to do with my lack of expertise in modern dance, particularly when it is a more left of center production.
THE WINDOW
Music: Shannon Rugani
Choreography: Danielle Rowe
I loved this piece! What’s funny to me, sort of, is that I thought it looked familiar but I wasn’t sure. After some research I found out that I had reviewed it in 2023. And, I loved it back then as well. I’m glad to see my reviewing taste hasn’t changed even if my memory continues to let me down.
Leta Biasucci (as The Watcher) was as magnificent as she was in 2023. All eyes on Lucien Postelwaite (as The Man) as his retirement announcement has made everyone perk up when they see he’s in the cast of any piece. And having Angelica Generosa (The Woman) just sealed the deal. Watching these three principal dancers work their way through this piece was just perfect. This is one of the reasons why I love reviewing the reps at the Pacific Northwest Ballet. Performances like this remind me just how good the PNB company can be when everything falls into place. This was my favorite part of the program yesterday evening.
IN THE UPPER ROOM
Music: Phillip Glass
Choreography: Twyla Tharp
I’ve made it known in my reviews that I am not the biggest fan of the music of Phillip Glass. I studied his work in college and it almost always falls flat for me. But I went into this piece with an open mind as I had never reviewed the piece before.
Twyla Tharp created a nine part piece that was an absolute workout to watch and to review. I personally love it when I review a piece that is full of dancing to the brim. “In The Upper Room” definitely fits that requirement and then some.
I absolutely enjoyed the use of the majority of the company of PNB dancers. Seeing such a diverse group pull off the various parts of the piece really showed where the company is at in 2025. One criticism I’ve had in the past has been the work of the corps. I’m glad to report that last night they looked light years better than they have in performances from last year.
“In The Upper Room” felt like a boxing match that went the distance and delivered a knockout by the 15th round.
As for the music, well, I’ll admit that portions of it were tolerable. Maybe more than tolerable. But, not all of it.
Overall, rep two last night was quite enjoyable. All three pieces stood on their own (even the first piece that I didn’t quite understand) and provided a wide scope of what the Pacific Northwest Ballet company is capable of doing. I left optimistic about the rest of the upcoming season.
Recommended.
“In The Upper Room” runs through November 16th. Purchase tickets: HERE!
Best,
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts Media
Connect with Eclectic Arts Media: Social Media and Email Links
Pacific Northwest Ballet
McCaw Hall
Seattle, WA
Review: Saturday 11/8/25 7:30 pm Performance
I was very glad to be back at the Pacific Northwest Ballet for the 2025/2026 season last night. I had to miss the first rep back in September so this performance of the second rep held extra special meaning for me.
I had only reviewed one of the three pieces prior (back in 2023) so two of the pieces were going to be brand new to me.
AFTERTIME
Music: Fiona Stocks-Lyon and Thomas Nickell
Choreography: Christopher D’Ariano and Amanda Morgan
(Pacific Northwest Ballet soloist Leah Terada and corps de ballet dancer Joh Morrill in the world premiere of Christopher D’Ariano and Amanda Morgan’s AfterTime. PNB presents AfterTime on a triple-bill with works by Dani Rowe, and Twyla Tharp, onstage at Seattle Center’s McCaw Hall November 7 – 16, 2025. For tickets and info, contact the PNB Box Office, 206.441.2424 or PNB.org. Photo © Angela Sterling.)
This world premiere piece started off the program Saturday evening. A modern take on society, artificial intelligence, and where we’re headed in the future, the piece was rather odd to me. There have been other modern dance pieces that I’ve reviewed over the years that honestly went over my head. This was another one. I was really trying to find something to hold on to, something to pull me into the story and the dance, but unfortunately I just couldn’t find anything. I think much of it has to do with my lack of expertise in modern dance, particularly when it is a more left of center production.
THE WINDOW
Music: Shannon Rugani
Choreography: Danielle Rowe
I loved this piece! What’s funny to me, sort of, is that I thought it looked familiar but I wasn’t sure. After some research I found out that I had reviewed it in 2023. And, I loved it back then as well. I’m glad to see my reviewing taste hasn’t changed even if my memory continues to let me down.
Leta Biasucci (as The Watcher) was as magnificent as she was in 2023. All eyes on Lucien Postelwaite (as The Man) as his retirement announcement has made everyone perk up when they see he’s in the cast of any piece. And having Angelica Generosa (The Woman) just sealed the deal. Watching these three principal dancers work their way through this piece was just perfect. This is one of the reasons why I love reviewing the reps at the Pacific Northwest Ballet. Performances like this remind me just how good the PNB company can be when everything falls into place. This was my favorite part of the program yesterday evening.
IN THE UPPER ROOM
Music: Phillip Glass
Choreography: Twyla Tharp
(Pacific Northwest Ballet corps de ballet dancer Destiny Wimpye and soloist Kuu Sakuragi in Twyla Tharp’s In the Upper Room. PNB presents In the Upper Room on a triple-bill with a work by Dani Rowe, and a world premiere by Christopher D’Ariano and Amanda Morgan, onstage at Seattle Center’s McCaw Hall November 7 – 16, 2025. For tickets and info, contact the PNB Box Office, 206.441.2424 or PNB.org. Photo © Angela Sterling.)
I’ve made it known in my reviews that I am not the biggest fan of the music of Phillip Glass. I studied his work in college and it almost always falls flat for me. But I went into this piece with an open mind as I had never reviewed the piece before.
Twyla Tharp created a nine part piece that was an absolute workout to watch and to review. I personally love it when I review a piece that is full of dancing to the brim. “In The Upper Room” definitely fits that requirement and then some.
I absolutely enjoyed the use of the majority of the company of PNB dancers. Seeing such a diverse group pull off the various parts of the piece really showed where the company is at in 2025. One criticism I’ve had in the past has been the work of the corps. I’m glad to report that last night they looked light years better than they have in performances from last year.
“In The Upper Room” felt like a boxing match that went the distance and delivered a knockout by the 15th round.
As for the music, well, I’ll admit that portions of it were tolerable. Maybe more than tolerable. But, not all of it.
Overall, rep two last night was quite enjoyable. All three pieces stood on their own (even the first piece that I didn’t quite understand) and provided a wide scope of what the Pacific Northwest Ballet company is capable of doing. I left optimistic about the rest of the upcoming season.
Recommended.
“In The Upper Room” runs through November 16th. Purchase tickets: HERE!
Best,
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts Media
Connect with Eclectic Arts Media: Social Media and Email Links
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