Pacific Northwest Ballet Announces Full Schedule for Upcoming Season

43rd season to feature the return of audience favorites Emergence, Roméo et Juliette, and Coppélia. Other highlights include works by Christopher Wheeldon, Jerome Robbins, and Twyla Tharp, and PNB premieres by Alejandro Cerrudo, Jessica Lang and Justin Peck. The line-up also includes the PNB premiere of George Balanchine's The Nutcracker™, featuring new scenic and costume designs by Ian Falconer.

September 2015 - June 2016

Marion Oliver McCaw Hall

321 Mercer Street, Seattle Center

Seattle, Washington

SEATTLE, WA - Pacific Northwest Ballet has opened its Box Office for 2015-2016 ticket sales. As is its tradition, PNB is offering a special money-saving deal for early shoppers: Pay no service fees on tickets purchased now through July 31.* Tickets to all performances and audience education programs (as well as money-saving subscriptions) may be purchased either by phone (206.441.2424), online (PNB.org) or in person at the PNB Box Office, 301 Mercer Street at Seattle Center.

Highlights of PNB's 43rd season include a program devoted to the work of American master choreographers George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, and Twyla Tharp; the return of popular works by Balanchine (The Prodigal Son), Robbins (The Concert), Christopher Wheeldon (Tide Harmonic), and Crystal Pite (Emergence); two story ballets (Roméo et Juliette and Coppélia), PNB premieres by Justin Peck, Jessica Lang, and Alejandro Cerrudo; a world premiere by Company member Price Suddarth, a newly reconstructed Le Corsaire: A Pirate's Tale for matinee family audiences; and the unveiling of Balanchine's The Nutcracker with brand-new sets and costumes by author/illustrator Ian Falconer. Tickets are also available now for PNB's series of audience education programs, panels and seminars.

2015-2016 SEASON LINE-UP

First Look Gala

Friday, September 25, 2015

(Not part of PNB's subscription season. Call the PNB Box Office for details.)

Celebrate the opening of PNB's 43rd season with a glamorous cocktail party, an elegant black-tie dinner, and a dance party onstage after the performance! Author/illustrator/designer Ian Falconer is scheduled to be PNB's honored guest at our season kick-off gala, which will include a first-look costume parade of his creations for George Balanchine's The Nutcracker. For information, visit PNB.org. (Performance tickets sold separately.)

Rep 1 - SEE THE MUSIC

September 25 - October 4, 2015

Tide Harmonic

Music: Joby Talbot

Choreography: Christopher Wheeldon

Costume Design: Holly Hynes

Lighting Design: Randall G. Chiarelli

The Prodigal Son

Music: Sergei Prokofiev

Libretto: Boris Kochno

Choreography: George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust

Staging: Peter Boal

Scenic and Costume Design: Georges Rouault

Lighting Design: Randall G. Chiarelli

The Concert (or, The Perils of Everybody)

Music: Frederic Chopin

Choreography: Jerome Robbins

Staging: Jean-Pierre Frohlich with Judith Fugate

Scenic Design: Edward Gorey

Costume Design: Irene Sharaff

Lighting Design: Jennifer Tipton

Lighting Re-creation: Nicole Pearce

PNB's season opener welcomes the return of Balanchine's Prodigal Son, choreographed by the ballet master at the age of 25 for Diaghilev's Ballet Russes. Another relative youngster, Christopher Wheeldon (recent Tony Award-winner for An American in Paris), shares the program with Mr. B, represented by his dramatic Tide Harmonic (created for PNB in 2013). Jerome Robbins' hilarious comedy The Concert closes this perfect triple bill.

Rep 2 - EMERGENCE

November 6 - 15, 2015

Sum Stravinsky

Music: Igor Stravinsky

Choreography: Kiyon Gaines

Costume Design: Pauline Smith

Lighting Design: Randall G. Chiarelli

The Calling (PNB Season Premiere)

Music: Anonymous (12th-13th century)

Choreography: Jessica Lang

Staging: Jessica Lang and Kanji Segawa

Costume Design: Elena Comendador

Costume Concept: Jessica Lang

Lighting Design: Al Crawford

World Premiere

Music: Barret Anspach

Choreography: Price Suddarth

Costume Design: Mark Zappone

Lighting Design: Randall G. Chiarelli

Emergence

Music: Owen Belton

Choreography: Crystal Pite

Staging: Hope Muir

Scenic Design: Jay Gower Taylor

Costume Design: Linda Chow

Lighting Design: Alan Brodie

How many audience members have been counting the days until they could see Crystal Pite's Emergence again? PNB's dancers feel the same way. Kiyon Gaines' electric Sum Stravinsky was another immediate favorite when it debuted in PNB's 2012 ALL PREMIERE program. The Calling, a haunting work by choreographer Jessica Lang, artistic director of Jessica Lang Dance, receives its PNB season premiere, alongside a world premiere by our own Price Suddarth. This program provides a crystal ball-look at the next generation of dance makers.

George Balanchine/s THE NUTCRACKER™ (PNB Premiere)

November 27 - December 28, 2015

(Not part of PNB's subscription season.)

Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Choreography: George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust

Staging: Peter Boal, Judith Fugate and Garielle Whittle

Scenic & Costume Design: Ian Falconer

Lighting Design: James F. Ingalls

This November, the curtain will rise on Pacific Northwest Ballet's magical new production of The Nutcracker. Featuring choreography by George Balanchine, Tchaikovsky's timeless score performed by the mighty PNB Orchestra, amazing new sets and costumes by children's author/illustrator Ian Falconer (Olivia), and more than 150 roles, The Nutcracker is the new must-see event of the holiday season.

Rep 3 - ROMÉO ET JULIETTE

February 5 - 14, 2016

Music: Sergei Prokofiev

Choreography: Jean-Christophe Maillot

Staging: Gaby Baars, Bernice Coppieters, Giovanna Lorenzoni

Scenic Design: Ernest Pignon-Ernest

Costume Design: Jérôme Kaplan

Lighting Design: Dominique Drillot

Jean-Christophe Maillot's brilliant take on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet garnered classic status when PNB became the first American company to present it in 2008. Though Maillot is the mastermind behind this intoxicating creation, credit also goes to his collaborators, lighting designer Dominique Drillot, set designer Ernest Pignon-Ernest, and PNB favorite, costume designer Jérôme Kaplan (Don Quixote, Giselle).

Rep 4 - DIRECTOR'S CHOICE

March 18 - 27, 2016

Rush

Music: Bohuslav Martinu

Choreography: Paul Gibson

Costume Design: Mark Zappone

Lighting Design: Randall G. Chiarelli

Little mortal jump (PNB Premiere)

Music: Various

Choreography: Alejandro Cerrudo

Staging: Pablo Piantino

Scenic Design: Alejandro Cerrudo

Costume Design: Branimira Ivanova

Lighting Design: Michael Korsch

Year of the Rabbit (PNB Premiere)

Music: Sufjan Stevens

Choreography: Justin Peck

Staging: Craig Hall and Janie Taylor

Costume Design: Justin Peck

Lighting Design: Brandon Stirling Baker

PNB's Paul Gibson wears several hats: an essential ballet master, scheduler, and teacher. And in his spare time, he's an impressive choreographer, too. Rush premiered in the Mercer Arts Arena in 2003, and although we don't want to revisit the venue, the ballet deserves another look. Reworked for this program, Rush kicks off a trio of works featuring PNB premieres by two talented young choreographers, Alejandro Cerrudo's Little mortal jump, and Justin Peck's Year of the Rabbit. Cerrudo is Resident Choreographer for Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and Peck is New York City Ballet's Resident Choreographer. This trio of contemporary works offers an energetic mix of speed, sculpture, and fresh musical offerings.

LE CORSAIRE: A Pirate's Tale (PNB Premiere)

March 20 - 26, 2016

(Part of PNB's "Family Matinees" series.)

Music: Adolphe Adam, with additional music by Cesare Pugni and Léo Delibes

Choreography: Marius Petipa

Reconstruction and Staging: Doug Fullington

Scenic Design: Charlene Hall with additional scenery courtesy of PNB Scenic Department

Costume Design: Pacific Northwest Ballet Costume Shop

Lighting Design: Randall G. Chiarelli

Ahoy, mateys! Join us for PNB's new production of Le Corsaire: A Pirate's Tale. This one-hour swashbuckler features a band of pirates, a pompous Pasha, and a magical garden that comes to life in an adventure that's fun for the entire family. Performed by students of Pacific Northwest Ballet School and the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra.

Rep 5 - COPPÉLIA

April 15 - 24, 2016

Music: Léo Delibes

Book: Charles Nuitter, after E.T.A. Hoffman

Choreography: Alexandra Danilova and George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust

Staging: Judith Fugate and Garielle Whittle

Scenic and Costume Design: Roberta Guidi di Bagno

Lighting Design: Randall G. Chiarelli

Audiences and critics were captivated when the curtain rose on PNB's 2010 premiere of its exquisite, wisteria-hued production of Coppélia. Beautifully detailed by designer Roberta Guidi di Bagno's lavish sets and costumes, this production is a complete delight for all ages. The story is a lighthearted comedy of mistaken identity featuring vivacious Swanilda, her impetuous suitor Franz, the eccentric toymaker Dr. Coppelius, and a life-like doll. All ends well in the final act's splendid wedding festivities, enhanced by 24 enchanting "baby" ballerinas.

REP 6 - AMERICAN STORIES

June 3 - 12, 2016

Fancy Free

Music: Leonard Bernstein

Choreography: Jerome Robbins

Staging: Judith Fugate

Scenic Design: Oliver Smith

Costume Design: Kermit Love

Original Lighting Design: Ronald Bates

Lighting Design: Randall G. Chiarelli

Square Dance

Music: Antonio Vivaldi and Arcangelo Corelli

Choreography: George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust

Staging: Peter Boal

Lighting Design: Randall G. Chiarelli

Waiting at the Station

Music: Allen Toussaint

Choreography: Twyla Tharp

Scenic and Costume Design: Santo Loquasto

Lighting Design: James F. Ingalls

PNB closes the season with a look at three of the greatest choreographers of our time and their take on the American landscape. George Balanchine's Square Dance, originally performed with a caller seated atop bales of hay, equates the formal patterns of square dancing with the architecture of Vivaldi, Corelli, and classical ballet. Jerome Robbins' first work, Fancy Free, not only put himself, set designer Oliver Smith, and composer Leonard Bernstein on the map, it charted a whole new course for American theater and dance. The evening and the season close with Waiting at the Station, Twyla Tharp's epic creation for PNB, set to the foot-stomping rhythms of Allen Toussaint.

SEASON ENCORE PERFORMANCE

Sunday, June 12, 2016

(Tickets to this event go on sale in 2016.)

NEXT STEP choreographers' showcase

Friday, June 17, 2016

(Tickets to this event go on sale in 2016.)

35th Annual PNB School Performances

Saturday, June 18, 2016

(Tickets to this event go on sale in 2016.)

Featuring Scènes de Ballet, choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon

Scènes de Ballet

Music: Igor Stravinsky

Choreography: Christopher Wheeldon

Scenic Design: Ian Falconer

Costume Design: Holly Hynes

2014-2015 SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS, SEMINARS AND LECTURE/DEMONSTRATIONS

(Not part of PNB's subscription season. All events take place at The Phelps Center, 301 Mercer Street at Seattle Center, unless otherwise noted. Tickets are available through the PNB Box Office.)

PNB offers a variety of free or affordably-priced special events for most of its productions, including previews, conversations, lectures, and Q&As. For additional information on library previews (at the Central Seattle Public Library), pre-performance lectures, and post-show Q&As, visit PNB.org and click on the "Events & Offers" tab under each specific production's listing.

Prodigal Son (Coaching Rehearsal)

Tuesday, September 8, 6:00 pm

George Balanchine revived his 1929 Prodigal Son for Jerome Robbins in 1950, and Robbins went on to coach Peter Boal in the role in the 1980s. Join us as Boal passes his incredible legacy on to PNB's dancers performing the iconic roles of the Prodigal and the Siren.

Exploring George Balanchine's The Nutcracker™ (Three-part series)

Get an inside look at George Balanchine's The Nutcracker before the curtain goes up! PNB's three-part series will introduce you to the magical production that made The Nutcracker America's favorite holiday tradition.

Introducing The Nutcracker

Tuesday, September 15, 7:00 pm

Nesholm Family Lecture Hall at McCaw Hall

Learning The Nutcracker

Tuesday, October 13, 6:00 pm

Dancing The Nutcracker

Tuesday, November 17, 5:30 pm

Square Dance (Coaching Rehearsal)

Tuesday, December 8, 6:00 pm

Stager Bart Cook coaches PNB dancers in the celebrated Square Dance solo George Balanchine choreographed for him in 1976.

Roméo et Juliette (Coaching Rehearsal)

Monday, February 1, 5:30 pm

Join us for this rare opportunity to see Bernice Coppieters, Jean-Christophe Maillot's muse and original Juliet, coach PNB dancers in his signature staging of Roméo et Juliette. This event will also be live-streamed.

New York Tour Preview

Friday, February 19, 5:30 pm

Pacific Northwest Ballet and the PNB Orchestra return to New York's City Center with two mixed bills of works by Balanchine, Dawson, Forsythe, and Pite. Join in the excitement at this preview studio rehearsal of excerpts from PNB's touring repertory. This event will also be live-streamed.

Le Corsaire (Lecture-Demonstration)

Tuesday, March 8, 7:00 pm

Join Doug Fullington and PNB School Professional Division students to learn all about classical ballet's famous swashbuckler, Le Corsaire, which has been reconstructed by Fullington from original sources to be presented in a streamlined format as Le Corsaire: A Pirate's Tale, PNB's newest Family Matinee ballet.

Coppélia (Coaching Rehearsal)

Friday, April 8, 5:30 pm

George Balanchine's definitive production of Coppélia, classical ballet's great comedy, pays homage to the 1870 French original, set to a delightful score by Léo Delibes. Join Peter Boal and PNB dancers for this coaching session focused on the ballet's intimate second act, set in the toy workshop of the mysterious Dr. Coppelius.

PNB Lecture Series & Dress Rehearsal

McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer Street at Seattle Center

PNB's Lecture Series offers in-depth discussions with choreographers, stagers, designers, dancers, and other artists that reveal much about the creative process involved in the development of a ballet. Guests may attend the lecture only or stay for the dress rehearsal. (Tickets $12 lecture only; $30 lecture and dress rehearsal.)

Thursday, September 24, 6:00 pm

The Nutcracker designer and PNB Artist in Residence Ian Falconer

Thursday, November 5, 6:00 pm

World premiere choreographer Price Suddarth

Thursday, February 4, 6:00 pm

Panel discussion with Roméo et Juliette stagers Bernice Coppieters and Gaby Baars

Thursday, March 17, 6:00 pm

Year of the Rabbit choreographer Justin Peck

Thursday, April 14, 6:00 pm

Coppélia stager Judith Fugate

Thursday, June 2, 6:00 pm

Waiting at the Station stager Kiyon Gaines

Friday Previews

PNB's popular Friday Previews are hour-long studio rehearsals hosted by Artistic Director Peter Boal and PNB artistic staff, featuring Company dancers rehearsing excerpts from upcoming ballets. Tickets are $12. These events usually sell out in advance. Friday Previews are sponsored by U.S. Bank.

EMERGENCE

October 30, 6:00 pm

Roméo et Juliette

January 29, 6:00 pm

DIRECTOR'S CHOICE

March 11, 6:00 pm

AMERICAN STORIES

May 20, 6:00 pm

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets to the 2015-2016 season go on sale today, July 20; Season subscriptions are also available.

Tickets and subscriptions may be purchase through the PNB Box Office:

· Phone: 206.441.2424

· In Person: 301 Mercer Street at Seattle Center

· Online: PNB.org

For information on discount offers including 25 & Under tickets, Teen Tix, and Group Sales, call the PNB Box Office or visit PNB.org: While online, sign up on PNB's email list, or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! Be among the first to learn about PNB news, casting and performance updates, ticket offers, and more.