Pacific Northwest Ballet Makes Joyce Debut 1/5-10/2010

The Joyce Theater is proud to present the Seattle-based Pacific Northwest Ballet, under the direction of former New York City Ballet dancer Peter Boal, from January 5 - 10. Marking its Joyce debut with this season, PNB will present several East Coast premieres incluring works by Twyla Tharp and Benjamin Millepied. Tickets, starting at $10, can be purchased through JoyceCharge at 212-242-0800 or online at www.joyce.org. The Joyce Theater is located at 175 Eighth Avenue at 19th Street.

Pacific Northwest Ballet presents the East Coast premieres* of works recently choreographed for the company by Twyla Tharp (Opus 111, set to a Brahms string quintet, effuses vivacious folk flavor) and Benjamin Millepied (3 Movements, which features a large ensemble performing to a driving minimalist score by Steve Reich). The program also includes Marco Goecke's volatile solo Mopey, which had its world premiere at The Joyce Theater in March 2004 under the auspices of Peter Boal and Company, and Edwaard Liang's Für Alina, an episodic duet created in 2006.

*Opus 111
Music: Johannes Brahms
Choreography: Twyla Tharp
Costume Design: Mark Zappone
Lighting Design: Randall G. Chiarelli
Assistant to the Choreographer: Charlie Neshyba-Hodges
Premiere: September 25, 2008, Pacific Northwest Ballet

Brahms composed this string quintet (unusually scored for two violins, two violas, and cello) while on a nature retreat in the summer of 1890. The music has a vivacious folk flavor, with the cello featured in the first movement and the viola, Brahms' favorite instrument, carrying the theme in the second. Twyla Tharp has choreographed the quintet's four movements for six couples. "Just like Brahms' music, Tharp's choreography is expansive, full of zest, even saucy at times." (R.M. Campbell, Seattle Post-Intelligencer) "[Opus 111] glides along a shimmering path, allowing Ms. Tharp to demonstrate her ability to mirror complicated music seamlessly while diving beneath its surface." (Gia Kourlas, The New York Times)

*3 Movements
Music: Steve Reich
Choreography: Benjamin Millepied
Costume Design: Isabella Boylston and Benjamin Millepied, assisted by Larae Theige Hascall
Lighting Design: Brad Fields
Premiere: November 6, 2008, Pacific Northwest Ballet

"The standout [in PNB's 2008 New Works program] is the world premiere of 3 Movements. Most everything is shades of gray, costumes and vertical swaths of backdrop included. A principal with New York City Ballet, Benjamin Millepied creates a ‘city that never sleeps' excitement with this piece that summons memories of Jerome Robbins, finds a driving, lively urbanism in its minimalist score, and ends with the male dancers soaked in sweat, fitted shirts plastered to their chests. On one hand it's tricky and technically challenging, and on the other it brims with insouciance; Millepied's hectic ensembles are as engaging as the sultry pas de deux, danced here by Carla Körbes and Batkhurel Bold. And the costumes, by Isabella Boylston and Millepied, are all kinds of Euro-stylishly sexy." (Michael van Baker, Seattlest)

Pacific Northwest Ballet, one of the largest and most highly regarded ballet companies in the United States, was founded in 1972. In July 2005, Peter Boal became artistic director, succeeding Kent Stowell and Francia Russell, artistic directors since 1977. The Company of nearly fifty dancers presents more than 100 performances each year of full-length and mixed repertory ballets at Marion Oliver McCaw Hall in Seattle and on tour. The Company has toured to Europe, Australia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Canada, and throughout the United States, with celebrated appearances at Jacob's Pillow and in New York City and Washington DC.

"DANCE TALKS" WITH PETER BOAL, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF
PACIFIC NORTHWEST BALLET AT JOYCE SOHO
MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 6:00 - 8:00 PM

Writer and dance historian Linda Szmyd Monich looks at Artistic Director Peter Boal's vision for Pacific Northwest Ballet and goes behind the scenes to explore the dances that will be presented during the company's Joyce debut season. The talk is illustrated with video. "Dance Talks" are free and take place at Joyce SoHo (155 Mercer Street, between Houston and Prince). Reservations are required: 646-792-8377.

Pacific Northwest Ballet can be seen at The Joyce Theater for one week from January 5 - 10. Performances are Tuesday & Wednesday at 7:30pm, Thursday & Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 2pm & 8pm and Sunday at 2pm. Dance Chat, a free post-performance talkback with the artists, will take place on Wednesday, January 6, and is open to all attending that evening's performance. Tickets start at $10 (for the front row) and range up to $59 (top price for Joyce Members is $37). Please note: Ticket prices are subject to change. Tickets and subscriptions can be purchased by calling JoyceCharge at 212-242-0800 or online at www.joyce.org. The Joyce Theater is located at 175 Eighth Avenue at 19th Street.

Leadership support for The Joyce Theater's 2009-2010 season has been received from the LuEsther T. Mertz Charitable Trust.

Additional support for this engagement was provided with public funds from the National Endowment for the Arts; the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009; the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency; and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council; and with private funds from the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Endowment Fund to encourage the performances of out-of-town companies at The Joyce Theater. Special support provided by the Office of State Senator Thomas K. Duane.

Major support for The Joyce has been provided by Bloomberg, The Boeing Company, Carnegie Corporation of New York, Robert Sterling Clark Foundation, First Republic Bank, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, The Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation, Inc., The Peter Jay Sharp Foundation and The Shubert Foundation.