Pacific Northwest Ballet to Return to City Center with Balanchine, Contemporary Works

The renowned Pacific Northwest Ballet, under the direction of Artistic Director Peter Boal, returns to New York City Center February 24-27 with two repertory programs that reflect the company's reputation for inspired stagings of works by George Balanchine, paired with some of the finest works in contemporary ballet.

The first program offers a trio of Balanchine masterpieces-Square Dance, which premiered at City Center in 1957, Prodigal Son, and Stravinsky Violin Concerto. The second program features David Dawson's A Million Kisses to my Skin, William Forsythe's The Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude, and Crystal Pite's Emergence.

The PNB Orchestra, under the direction of Music Director and Principal Conductor Emil de Cou, will accompany both programs.

PRINCIPAL CASTING: (*Updated Feb 12)

Feb 24 at 7:30pm ALL BALANCHINE

Square Dance: Leta Biascucci*, Benjamin Griffiths
Prodigal Son: Jonathan Porretta, Laura Gilbreath, Otto Neubert, Kyle Davis, Ezra Thomson Stravinsky Violin Concerto: Lesley Rausch*, Jerome Tisserand*, Noelani Pantastico*, Seth Orza*

Feb 25 at 7:30pm ALL BALANCHINE

Square Dance: Leta Biascucci, Benjamin Griffiths
Prodigal Son: James Moore, Lesley Rausch, Joshua Grant, Ryan Cardea, Matthew Renko Stravinsky Violin Concerto: Lesley Rausch, Jerome Tisserand, Noelani Pantastico, Seth Orza

Feb 26 at 8pm CONTEMPORARY INNOVATORS

A Million Kisses to my Skin (NY Premiere): Lesley Rausch, Batkhurel Bold, Laura Gilbreath, Miles Pertl*, Elle Macy, Jerome Tisserand, Sarah Ricard Orza, Emma Love Suddarth, Leta Biasucci

The Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude: Angelica Generosa, Margaret Mullin, Elizabeth Murphy, Benjamin Griffiths, Jonathan Porretta

Emergence (NY Premiere): Rachel Foster, Joshua Grant, Laura Gilbreath, Batkhurel Bold, James Moore, Leah Merchant

Feb 27 at 8pm CONTEMPORARY INNOVATORS

A Million Kisses to my Skin: Lesley Rausch, Batkhurel Bold, Laura Gilbreath, Miles Pertl,
Elle Macy, Jerome Tisserand, Sarah Ricard Orza, Emma Love Suddarth, Leta Biasucci

The Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude: Angelica Generosa, Margaret Mullin, Elizabeth Murphy, Kyle Davis, Price Suddarth

Emergence: Margaret Mullin, Joshua Grant, Laura Gilbreath, Batkhurel Bold, Price Suddarth, Elizabeth Murphy

*First time in role
Programming and casting subject to change.

Tickets, starting at $35, can be purchased online at www.NYCityCenter.org, by calling CityTix at 212.581.1212, or in person at the City Center Box Office (131 W55th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues).

Pacific Northwest Ballet was founded in 1972 as Pacific Northwest Dance Association under the aegis of Seattle Opera Association, with early leadership provided by Leon Kalimos (Executive Director, 1973?1977), Janet Reed (Ballet Mistress and Director of the School, 1974?1976), and Melissa Hayden (Ballet Mistress, Director of the School, and Artistic Director, 1976 ? 1977). Highlights of these early years include the acquisition of Lew Christensen's Nutcracker in 1975 and a mixed repertory season offered in Spring 1977. The Company became an independent organization in September 1977 and was renamed Pacific Northwest Ballet in 1978. In August 1977, Kent Stowell and Francia Russell were appointed Artistic Directors of Pacific Northwest Dance. During their extended tenure the Company and School attained an international reputation for superb performances and excellent training. In July 2005, Peter Boal succeeded Mr. Stowell and Ms. Russell as Artistic Director of Pacific Northwest Ballet and Director of Pacific Northwest Ballet School.

New York City Center (Arlene Shuler, President & CEO) has played a defining role in the cultural life of the city since 1943. It was Manhattan's first performing arts center, dedicated by Mayor Fiorello La Guardia with a mission to make the best in music, theater, and dance accessible to all audiences. Today, City Center is home to many distinguished companies, including Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, City Center's Principal Dance Company, as well as Manhattan Theatre Club; a roster of renowned national and international visiting artists; and its own critically acclaimed and popular programs. The Tony-honored Encores! musical theater series has been hailed as "one of the very best reasons to be alive in New York." In summer 2013, City Center launched Encores! Off?Center, a series that features landmark Off?Broadway musicals filtered through the lens of today's most innovative artists. Dance has been integral to the theater's mission from the start - and dance programs, including the annual Fall for Dance Festival, remain central to City Center's identity. Vital partnerships with arts organizations including Jazz at Lincoln Center and London's Sadler's Wells Theatre enhance City Center's programmatic offerings. City Center brings dance and musical theater to over 9,000 New York City students each year through its robust education program, and other learning opportunities are offered to seniors, families, and the general public. City Center is expanding its programming beyond the proscenium and activating its alternative spaces with pre?show talks, master classes, exhibitions of visual art, and intimate performances that give an up?close look at the work of the great theater and dance artists of our time. In October 2011, City Center completed an extensive renovation project to revitalize and modernize its historic theater.