Furthermore, his/her statements implying that the dancers hated doing it, only demonstrates they he/she has not talked to any of the dancers in the piece (as I have). And even more so, if one does talk to the actual dancers, they will tell you how difficult it was to do, and certainly would not agree that it was far below their skill level.

Why is it that so many folks equate what they don’t like is a bad piece? Heaven forbid it THEY that missed the point!

What, in my opinion, is disappointing is that you have this amazing corps of dancers that have spent years training and honing their craft. A craft that they have amazing skill to perform at the highest level. Why not present material that pushes them within the sphere in which they are so well trained and so talented? This may be a poor analogy, but this would equate taking Lebron James and putting him on ice skates to play hockey. Just because he is an amazing athlete doesn’t make it a compelling or interesting idea or result.

Modern has it’s place. And I don’t not like it. Frankly the second piece was just horribly boring on every level, wasn’t interesting or innovative on any level, being “different” doesn’t make it compelling. I felt like this was a piece to be “weird” simply for the sake of being weird.

My other problem is – I guess – is that if you know anything about the dance world is that these professionals, that have spent a life time honing their craft – are completely at the whim of the choreographer to the extent that they can’t turn this crap down without further repercussions.

I think if you could get the honest truth out of each one of them, the vast majority are rolling their eyes and thinking “how the hell did I get roped in to this?”

Ultimately I completely respect that we can have a difference of opinion. I appreciate these amazing artists and performers and watch most anything they do. But PNB has such a natural, supportive, BIG audience in the world of ballet. I just feel they have an obligation to do what they do best. Something like this feels like they are thumbing their nose at that. Far too many excellent, talented choreographers who honor tradition would relish the idea of setting something brilliant under the same conditions with that kind of talent at their disposal.

It does sound like we are on different pages regarding what’s to be welcomed on a ballet stage. I would just point out that your negative experience doesn’t exclude alternate possibilities–as I hoped to make clear with my discussion of “Piano Dance.” It didn’t do much for me, in this context, but I could tell others responded to it. As for your more general complaint about what is/isn’t ballet, the program is called “Contemporary 4″–I think it does a fine job of presenting various contemporary branchings from the ballet tree.

I’m going to disagree with the essence of your statement that “Place a Chill” is “flat out dumb,” though. Whatever else it is, it isn’t a stupidly conceived work. People often laugh at things they don’t get, or are surprised by, so I wouldn’t offer tittering as a critical appraisal. People regularly laugh at Siegfried’s “Das ist kein Mann!” but I don’t think Wagner’s reputation suffers from it.

The 3rd piece, The Piano Dance, opened to a brilliant and vibrant silhouette of bright red. Fun at times, lovely and REAL dancing then took place. Maraschino perhaps, but much more enjoyable than the monkey brain stew of the first pieces.

The final piece was much more of a true challenge of the dancers skill set. I guess in the end when I go to a PNB performance I expect PNB dancing. Ummm…let’s see….OH! That’s right it stands for Pacific Northwest BALLET!!!