Almost fifty years ago, I attended a New York City Ballet performance of George Balanchine’s Coppélia. Somewhere in the middle of the first act, I decided I wanted to dance. You know the rest of this story. Coppélia is all about the dancing, and the music, and the laughter, colors, costumes, and scenery. It may have the same effect on you as it did on me all those years ago.
When silent beauty Coppélia appears on the balcony of toymaker Doctor Coppelius’ workshop, hilarious antics quickly ensue. Franz is smitten, and his sweetheart Swanilda is determined to settle this love triangle once and for all. Learn the full story of the Coppélia ballet and familiarize yourself with its comical characters in this blog!
Performing in The Nutcracker is a rite of passage for many young dancers and something they look forward to each December. From Polichinelles to Party Children, see how Pacific Northwest Ballet Company dancers began their lifelong journey of dancing in The Nutcracker!
George Balanchine once said that Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's music made him fall in love with ballet, and many ballet lovers echo Balanchine’s sentiment. To this day, some of PNB’s most popular ballets (Swan Lake and The Nutcracker) are set to Tchaikovsky’s music. Read on to learn about Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s turbulent life and his iconic ballets!
From the Mouse King to Marzipan, PNB’s production of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker® is full of characters that cheer and delight! If you're attending the show, it’s helpful to familiarize yourself with these enchanting Nutcracker characters before you see them on stage. That way you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the performance without wondering who’s who. Read on to learn which Nutcracker character is which with this quick, helpful guide!
On behalf of everyone at PNB, thank you for choosing to celebrate the season with us. Over the years we’ve heard from many in our audience about what this production means to you. It may mark the official start of your holidays, be the destination for a much anticipated annual outing with visiting family, or offer a nostalgic antidote to a too-busy time of year...
Ask anyone what their introduction to ballet was – most will tell you it was a performance of The Nutcracker. They probably attended as small children. I was five. PNB expects to welcome about 85,000 people of all ages to our performances this year alone. Many will attend for the first time, starting a new tradition of enjoying this timeless holiday classic...
Celebrating 38 years of A Midsummer Night's Dream at Pacific Northwest Ballet
Winter Star, a spectacular work of art from Chihuly’s popular Chandelier series, makes a stunning addition to the famed snow scene.
Wondering if your children are old enough for The Nutcracker? Check out this guide.