The Pacific Northwest Ballet Presents George Balanchine's JEWELS, 9/26-10/5

Pacific Northwest Ballet raises the velvet curtain on its 2014-2015 season with George Balanchine's Jewels™. Costumed in emerald green, ruby red and luminous white, the trio of gems in Jewels pays tribute to golden ages of music and dance. Evoking the birthplace of Romantic ballet, Emeralds' graceful clouds of tulle whisper French courtesy, fashion, and fragrance. A sassy, jazzy collaboration with composer Igor Stravinsky, Rubies mirrors the carefree spontaneity of America, Balanchine's beloved adopted country. The splendor of Diamonds recalls the great choreographer's heritage, so that "if the entre Imperial Russian inheritance of ballet were lost, Diamonds would still tell us of its essence" (Mary Clarke and Clement Crisp). Jewels runs from September 26 through October 5 at Seattle Center's Marion Oliver McCaw Hall. Tickets and more information are available through the PNB Box Office, 301 Mercer Street at Seattle Center, 206.441.2424, or online at PNB.org.

ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE

Music: Gabriel Fauré, Igor Stravinsky, and Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Choreography: George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust

Staging: Elyse Borne

Costume Design: Karinska

Lighting Design: Mark Stanley

Premiere: April 13, 1967; New York City Ballet

PNB Premiere: June 1, 2006 (Rubies premiere: February 3, 1988)

Emeralds is a romantic evocation of France, the birthplace of classical ballet. It is also Balanchine's comment of the French school of dancing and its rich heritage. With a score by Gabriel Fauré and dancers dressed in Romantic-length tutus, Emeralds can also be a window on the nostalgia inherent in much late 19th-century art, with its idealized view of the Middle Ages, chivalry, and courtly love. Balanchine considered Emeralds "an evocation of France - the France of elegance, comfort, dress and perfume."

Rubies is considered the American jewel, with its Jazz Age score by Igor Stravinsky, stylized flapper costumes by Karinska, and Balanchine's choreography in his sophisticated mode. A saucy leading couple plays and competes as equals, and a second, siren-like ballerina takes on the men of the corps de ballet, requiring all four of them to partner her at once.

Diamonds is Balanchine's homage to his native St. Petersburg. Echoes of Petipa's Swan Lake and Raymonda abound, and the centerpiece of the ballet is an intimate pas de deux, potent in its chivalrous reserve, for the ballerina and her cavalier. At its end, the entire cast joins the principal couple for a gloriously spirited polonaise.

SPECIAL EVENTS

JEWELS COACHING SERIES (Studio Presentations)

Diamonds, featuring Jacques d'Amboise: Wednesday, August 20, 5:30 pm

Emeralds, featuring Violette Verdy and Mimi Paul: Thursday, September 11, 5:30 pm

Rubies, featuring Edward Villella: Monday, September 22, 5:30 pm

PNB Artistic Director Peter Boal has invited the original interpreters of George Balanchine's Jewels to coach PNB dancers for the Company's revival of the 1967 masterpiece. Join these esteemed artists in the studio for a series of coaching sessions on the iconic roles Balanchine made for them.

FRIDAY PREVIEWS

Friday, September 19, 6:00pm

The Phelps Center, 301 Mercer Street, Seattle

Join us for an hour-long preview led by Artistic Director Peter Boal and PNB artistic staff, featuring PNB dancers rehearsing excerpts fromJewels™. PNB's popular Friday Previews offer an up-close view of the Company preparing to put dance on stage. Tickets are $12 each and may be purchased through the PNB Box Office. (These events usually sell out.) Friday Previews are sponsored by U.S. Bank.

BALLET PREVIEW - FREE

Tuesday, September 23, 12:00 noon

Central Seattle Public Library, 1000 Fourth Avenue, Seattle

Join PNB for a free lunch-hour preview lecture at the Central Seattle Public Library. Education Programs
Manager Doug Fullington will offer insights about Jewels, complete with video excerpts. FREE of charge.

PNB LECTURE SERIES & DRESS REHEARSAL

Thursday, September 25, 2014

6:00 pm Lecture, Nesholm Family Lecture Hall at McCaw Hall

7:00 pm Dress Rehearsal, McCaw Hall

Join Artistic Director Peter Boal and special guest Edward Villella during the hour preceding the dress rehearsal to discuss PNB's production ofJewels. Attend the lecture only or stay for the dress rehearsal. Tickets ($12 lecture; $30 lecture and dress rehearsal) may be purchased through the PNB Box Office.

FIRST LOOK, PNB's Opening Gala
Friday, September 26, 4:30 pm

McCaw Hall
Join PNB for the opening performance of its 2014-15 season with George Balanchine's Jewels™, featuring Emeralds, Rubies and Diamonds. Walk the emerald carpet at an exclusive cocktail party before being whisked backstage for an elegant black tie dinner. After the opening performance ofJewels, the party continues with a Rubies-inspired onstage after-party with music, entertainment, dancing, drinks, and desserts. Pre-performance dinner starts at $350 per guest (includes onstage after-party and valet parking). First Look after-party tickets start at $45 (performance tickets sold separately). HSBC is the Title Sponsor of First Look. Additional sponsors include The Boeing Company, Lane Powell, PJ Hummel & Co., and Seattle Met. To purchase tickets, contact Special Events at 206.441.2429 or events@PNB.org.

PRE-PERFORMANCE LECTURES

Join Education Programs Manager Doug Fullington for a 30-minute introduction to each performance, including discussions of choreography, music, history, design and the process of bringing Jewels to the stage. One hour before performances. FREE for ticketholders.

POST-PERFORMANCE Q&A

Skip the post-show traffic and enjoy a Q&A with PNB Artistic Director Peter Boal and Company dancers, immediately following each performance in the Nesholm Family Lecture Hall at McCaw Hall. FREE for ticketholders.

TICKET INFORMATION & DISCOUNT OFFERS

Tickets ($28-$179 advance) may be purchased through the PNB Box Office:

· Phone - 206.441.2424 (Mon.-Fri. 9am-6pm; Sat. 10am-5pm)

· In Person - 301 Mercer Street, Seattle (Mon.-Fri. 10am-6pm; Sat. 10am-5pm)

· Online - PNB.org (24/7)

Tickets are also available (subject to availability) 90 minutes prior to each performance at McCaw Hall, located at 321 Mercer Street at Seattle Center.

GROUP SALES

Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more. For group tickets, please call 206.441.2416, email JulieJ@PNB.org or use PNB's online contact form at PNB.org/Season/GroupTickets.

$15 TICKETS FOR AGE 25 & UNDER

All Thursday and Friday performances: September 26 and October 2 & 3 at 7:30 pm

One ticket for $15 or two for $25 for patrons 25 years and younger! To purchase tickets, contact the PNB Box Office at 206.441.2424 or visit 301 Mercer Street. This offer is good for September 26 and October 2 & 3 performances only. Offer is subject to availability and not valid on previously purchased tickets. Each attendee must present valid ID upon ticket retrieval.

TEEN TIX

PNB is a proud participant of Teen Tix, whose members (13 to 19 years old) can purchase tickets to PNB performances and other music, dance, theater and arts events for only $5. To join Teen Tix or view a list of participating organizations, visit TeenTix.org.

STUDENT AND SENIOR RUSH TICKETS

Subject to availability, half-price rush tickets for students and senior citizens (65+) may be purchased in-person with valid ID, beginning 90 minutes prior to show time at the McCaw Hall box office.

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