A Conversation with Jessica Lang and Peter Boal

Hello everyone,  In place of my director’s notes, I’m offering this interview with PNB’s Resident Choreographer, Jessica Lang. We are thrilled to present ALL LANG, PNB’s final program of the season this May. Included in the program are Her Door to the Sky (2016), Ghost Variations (2020), and ZigZag created for American Ballet Theatre (ABT) […]

Artistic Director’s Notebook: Giselle 2026

Dear Friends, Giselle has enthralled audiences since its premiere in Paris in 1841. I’ll do the math for you—that’s 185 years ago. Despite the years, audiences seem as intrigued today as they were on opening night. There are a few reasons why Giselle works. First, the plot is so good. As the curtain rises on […]

Artistic Director’s Notebook: Jewels, AfterTime, The Window, In The Upper Room

Dear Friends, George Balanchine’s Jewels is sometimes referred to as the first plotless evening-length work. Not exactly the catchiest byline. Did Balanchine hope to tap into the box office strength of full-length ballets? Interestingly, Jewels was not a stand-alone work at its premiere. In fact, it wasn’t even called “Jewels.” Emeralds, Rubies, and Diamonds were there, but there was no overarching name. Critic […]

Artistic Director’s Notebook: Roméo et Juliette 2025 

Dear Friends,  This is the fifth time PNB has presented Jean-Christophe Maillot’s Roméo et Juliette since our first performance in January of 2008. With tours and Season Encore performances that adds up to about fifty shows. I know what you’re thinking – have we ever done it without Noelani Pantastico? The answer is no. Even when Noe was […]