Pacific Northwest Ballet’s ‘Roméo et Juliette’

Pacific Northwest Ballet performs Jean-Christophe Maillot’s 'Roméo et Juliette'In January 2008, Pacific Northwest Ballet brought Jean-Christophe Maillot’s masterful Roméo et Juliette to Seattle for its west coast premiere, making PNB the first American company to perform the work. This three-act interpretation of Shakespeare’s great love story was premiered in 1996 by Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo, where Maillot is resident choreographer and artistic director. His contemporary interpretation has been hailed throughout the world as “one of the most beautiful ballets adapted from Shakespeare’s masterpiece that can be seen today,” and instantly became an audience favorite and a signature work in PNB’s repertory.

 

Now, five years after its Seattle debut, this unforgettable three-act interpretation of Shakespeare’s great love story returns as PNB continues its 40th Anniversary Season.

 

Roméo et Juliette runs Feb. 1- 10 at Seattle Center’s Marion Oliver McCaw Hall. Showtimes are at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 1, 2, 7, 8 and 9, with 2 p.m. matinees on Feb. 2 and 9, and 1 p.m. matinees on Feb. 3 and 10. Tickets start at $28 and may be purchased by calling the PNB Box Office at 206.441.2424 or in person at the PNB Box Office at 301 Mercer St.

 

Pacific Northwest Ballet performs Jean-Christophe Maillot’s 'Roméo et Juliette'PNB also recently announced that Noelani Pantastico and Lucien Postlewaite, former principal dancers with PNB, will return for one performance of Roméo et Juliette, reprising their celebrated title roles on Saturday night, Feb. 9. Pantastico and Postlewaite are now members of Les Ballets de Monte Carlo under the artistic directorship of Jean-Christophe Maillot, creator of Roméo et Juliette

 

Following the Seattle run, PNB takes Roméo et Juliette to New York City Center for three performances on Feb. 15 and 16 (along with one performance of Balanchine works on Feb. 13). PNB’s full company last performed at City Center in 1996.  These performances also mark the New York debut of the mighty PNB Orchestra under the direction of music director/principal conductor Emil de Cou. Showtimes for Roméo et Juliette  at City Center are 8 p,m. on Feb. 15 and 16, with an additional 2 p.m. matinee on Feb. 16. Tickets to the New York performances start at $25 and may be purchased by calling CityTix at 212-581-1212, online at www.nycitycenter.org or in person at the City Center Box Office, located at 131 W 55th Street (between 6th & 7th).

 

Named a ” remarkable work…like no Romeo and Juliet ballet you’ve seen before” by The Seattle Times, Roméo et Juliette is a contemporary interpretation of Shakespeare’s beloved tragedy that romantics and cynics alike don’t want to miss.

 

For more information, visit www.pnb.org. The company advises patrons that content may not be appropriate for young children.

 

Photo (top): Pacific Northwest Ballet soloist James Moore and principal dancer Kaori Nakamura in the title roles of Jean-Christophe Maillot’s Roméo et Juliette. Photo (bottom): PNB principal dancer Carla Körbes with former PNB principal Lucien Postlewaite in the title roles Maillot’s Roméo et Juliette. Both photos by Angela Sterling.