Pacific Northwest Ballet presents “Beauty & the Beast” as part of their Family Matinee Series
Pacific Northwest Ballet presents Bruce Wells’ Beauty and the Beast, a new addition to its narrated, one-hour series of family-friendly ballets performed by the PNB School and designed especially for young audiences. This non-Disney version of the engaging tale of adventure, unlikely friendships, and the power of true love is as charming as it is familiar, and a perfect introduction to theater and dance.
Like PNB’s Family Matinee productions of Hansel & Gretel, Pinocchio, and Snow White, Beauty and the Beast was conceived and choreographed by Bruce Wells and will feature students of Pacific Northwest Ballet School, along with special guest artist Jasper McCann as the Narrator. Please note, Beauty and the Beast does not feature PNB Company dancers.
Choreographer Bruce Wells has created more than 50 ballets in the course of his career. His career as a dancer began under the direction of George Balanchine at New York City Ballet, where he danced as a soloist. Mr. Wells’ choreographic career began in workshops that Mr. Balanchine coached in the early 1970s. From there, he was resident choreographer for Connecticut Ballet from 1975 to 1979, choreographing his first full-length production, Coppélia in 1976.
Mr. Wells was on the faculty of Pacific Northwest Ballet School for 18 years. His first children’s ballet for the School was Snow White in 2001, followed by Hansel & Gretel and Pinocchio. Bruce Wells’ Beauty and the Beast was first created for and performed by the students of Atlanta Ballet 2. Atlanta Ballet 2 represents the highest level of training in the Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education, and provides new performance opportunities for the next generation of professional dancers.
Beauty and the Beast runs for five performances only, March 20, 26 and 27 at Seattle Center’s Marion Oliver McCaw Hall. Showtimes are at 11:30 am (sensory-friendly performance) and 3:30 pm on Sunday, March 20; 11:30 am and 3:30 pm on Saturday, March 26; and 5:00 pm on Sunday, March 27.
PNB is proud to present an inclusive, sensory-friendly performance of Bruce Wells’ Beauty and The Beast on Sunday, March 20 at 11:30 am. This performance will feature a supportive and welcoming environment so children and adults affected by autism or with other sensory needs can enjoy the shared experience of live ballet with their friends and family. Modified lighting and sound levels, fidgets, entry/exit privileges, trained staff, allowance of devices, touch stations and a quiet room will be offered at this matinee.
Tickets for Beauty and the Beast begin at $28 and can be purchased by phone (206.441.2424), in person (301 Mercer Street at Seattle Center), or online (PNB.org)