PACIFIC NORTHWEST BALLET Kent Stowell's CINDERELLA January 30 - February 8, 2026 1/31/26 Review
Kent Stowell’s CINDERELLA
Pacific Northwest Ballet
McCaw Hall
Seattle, WA
Review: Saturday 1/31/26 7:30 pm Performance
It had been nearly three months since I last set foot inside McCaw Hall. I had missed the last few events during the holiday season so I found myself with extra anticipation on Saturday evening. And, let me tell you, that anticipation was well rewarded on stage.
Kent Stowell’s Cinderella was last performed six years ago. I was there on opening night back in January of 2020. I remember being very excited for the 2019/2020 season as it would be my first opportunity to cover a full PNB season. We all know that didn’t happen and why.
I recall really enjoying the performance six years ago and I’m glad to report I also enjoyed last night’s performance, too.
The story sells itself even on the most basic of terms. Almost everyone knows the story of Cinderella, the glass slipper, and Prince Charming. What Kent Stowell did with this in terms of a PNB production many years ago still works today in 2026.
For my performance the cast included but not limited to: Angelica Generosa as Cinderella and Jonathan Batista as Prince. Madison Rayn Abeo as Godmother, Lily Wills as Stepmother, Christian Poppe as Father, and Kali Kleiman and Amanda Morgan as the Stepsisters.
I was a fan of Angelica Generosa when she was a soloist. I found her dance artistry to be elite back then and she danced with a personality which was not often seen in the productions I reviewed. When she was promoted to principal I ended up not seeing her perform for some time.
I have since seen her in a few of the classical full length productions and the dancer I first saw is now the dancer she was destined to become. I always felt that her technical ability was on point (no pun intended) but the last few performances her personality seemed to have diminished for whatever reason. Last night the mixing of the two was back and it yielded glorious results. She was the perfect fit for the role (not to knock the other principals that will dance the role this run) and she carried the show on her shoulders with the greatest of ease.
Jonathan Batista danced the role for what I believe was the first time. He was a great partner for Angelica as they both show their personality when they dance while nailing the technical parts as well. He made everything seem effortless like he always does and I couldn’t have been happier as a patron watching them partner together.
The humor of the show was very apparent, particularly with Kali Kleiman and Amanda Morgan as the stepsisters. Their interpretations of the roles yielded hilarious results and they rightfully received a loud applause at the curtain call.
If I had to pick at anything, it would unfortunately be the same issue I’ve picked at a time or two before. The corps de ballet is so hit and miss some of the time. Note I said some of the time, not all of the time. Last night I couldn’t help but notice again that some of the corps are just not in sync with their fellow dancers. There could be four groups of three dancers each and one group could look amazing while the other three groups would have two of the three dancers in sync. There was always that one lone dancer that looked, well, alone. It was as if they needed more time to rehearse to get the timing down right or something. Again, this is not a new concern but it is a minor one to me (right now). Hopefully, this can be corrected for future reps as I remember the days when the corps was sometimes the best part of any given show.
I’ve said this before but it always bears repeating apparently. The PNB has continued to produce world class ballet productions. They are a pillar in the Seattle arts community and they deserve not to be taken for granted. Every arts company is still trying to find their stride post-pandemic. Yes, even four/five years later, for various reasons, companies like the PNB continue to need our support.
If you only visit the PNB between Thanksgiving and the end of December, please consider going to an additional production that you’ve never seen. Kent Stowell’s Cinderella would be a perfect transitional show to see after George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker. The costumes, staging, storyline, and the dancing will hopefully have you hooked on everything the PNB has to offer.
Highly recommended!
“Kent Stowell’s Cinderella” runs through February 8th. 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 1/31/26 7:30 pm Performance
It had been nearly three months since I last set foot inside McCaw Hall. I had missed the last few events during the holiday season so I found myself with extra anticipation on Saturday evening. And, let me tell you, that anticipation was well rewarded on stage.
Kent Stowell’s Cinderella was last performed six years ago. I was there on opening night back in January of 2020. I remember being very excited for the 2019/2020 season as it would be my first opportunity to cover a full PNB season. We all know that didn’t happen and why.
I recall really enjoying the performance six years ago and I’m glad to report I also enjoyed last night’s performance, too.
The story sells itself even on the most basic of terms. Almost everyone knows the story of Cinderella, the glass slipper, and Prince Charming. What Kent Stowell did with this in terms of a PNB production many years ago still works today in 2026.
For my performance the cast included but not limited to: Angelica Generosa as Cinderella and Jonathan Batista as Prince. Madison Rayn Abeo as Godmother, Lily Wills as Stepmother, Christian Poppe as Father, and Kali Kleiman and Amanda Morgan as the Stepsisters.
I was a fan of Angelica Generosa when she was a soloist. I found her dance artistry to be elite back then and she danced with a personality which was not often seen in the productions I reviewed. When she was promoted to principal I ended up not seeing her perform for some time.
I have since seen her in a few of the classical full length productions and the dancer I first saw is now the dancer she was destined to become. I always felt that her technical ability was on point (no pun intended) but the last few performances her personality seemed to have diminished for whatever reason. Last night the mixing of the two was back and it yielded glorious results. She was the perfect fit for the role (not to knock the other principals that will dance the role this run) and she carried the show on her shoulders with the greatest of ease.
Jonathan Batista danced the role for what I believe was the first time. He was a great partner for Angelica as they both show their personality when they dance while nailing the technical parts as well. He made everything seem effortless like he always does and I couldn’t have been happier as a patron watching them partner together.
The humor of the show was very apparent, particularly with Kali Kleiman and Amanda Morgan as the stepsisters. Their interpretations of the roles yielded hilarious results and they rightfully received a loud applause at the curtain call.
If I had to pick at anything, it would unfortunately be the same issue I’ve picked at a time or two before. The corps de ballet is so hit and miss some of the time. Note I said some of the time, not all of the time. Last night I couldn’t help but notice again that some of the corps are just not in sync with their fellow dancers. There could be four groups of three dancers each and one group could look amazing while the other three groups would have two of the three dancers in sync. There was always that one lone dancer that looked, well, alone. It was as if they needed more time to rehearse to get the timing down right or something. Again, this is not a new concern but it is a minor one to me (right now). Hopefully, this can be corrected for future reps as I remember the days when the corps was sometimes the best part of any given show.
I’ve said this before but it always bears repeating apparently. The PNB has continued to produce world class ballet productions. They are a pillar in the Seattle arts community and they deserve not to be taken for granted. Every arts company is still trying to find their stride post-pandemic. Yes, even four/five years later, for various reasons, companies like the PNB continue to need our support.
If you only visit the PNB between Thanksgiving and the end of December, please consider going to an additional production that you’ve never seen. Kent Stowell’s Cinderella would be a perfect transitional show to see after George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker. The costumes, staging, storyline, and the dancing will hopefully have you hooked on everything the PNB has to offer.
Highly recommended!
“Kent Stowell’s Cinderella” runs through February 8th. Purchase tickets: HERE!
Best,
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts Media
Connect with Eclectic Arts Media: Social Media and Email Links
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