The SunBreak » Kaori Nakamura

Farewell to a remarkable ballerina

Philippa Kiraly — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 13:20:37 +0000

Each June, the Encore program at Pacific Northwest Ballet wraps up the season with memorable moments from the year’s productions and says farewell to departing dancers. This year, it was special: Sunday night was devoted in large part to celebrating the career of ballerina Kaori Nakamura, who has graced this stage for 17 years and … Continue reading →

The eclectic choices of Peter Boal

Philippa Kiraly — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 23:04:51 +0000

Every year, one of Pacific Northwest Ballet’s repertory programs is titled Director’s Choice, in which artistic director Peter Boal programs three of his favorites plus one new work. This year, he describes it as “four examples of sublime expression and emotion…,” and it began Friday night with four works choreographed by Susan Stroman, Susan Marshall, Molissa Fenley … Continue reading →

PNB’s Modern Masterpieces Lives Up to the Hype

Michael van Baker — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 23:24:09 +0000

The only question about Pacific Northwest Ballet's Modern Masterpieces program (at McCaw Hall through March 24) is at which point your soul may incandesce. My instinct is that this is likely to occur in the second half, during Ulysses Dove's Dancing on the Front Porch of Heaven or Twyla Tharp's In the Upper Room, with its spectacular use of the "fog of minimalism."

Maillot’s Knockout “Roméo et Juliette” Returns to PNB

Michael van Baker — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 00:02:56 +0000

With Maillot's Roméo et Juliette in PNB's repertoire, the company now had the perfect Valentine's Day ballet to go with The Nutcracker at Christmas. Its bold infusion of frank sensuality with gorgeous pas de deux left mouths agape -- one moment Juliette was arcing backward, held aloft by her Roméo, the next, hands were everywhere!

Still Nuts About PNB’s Nutcracker

Philippa Kiraly — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 23:38:36 +0000

223 children participate each year, in several casts, so no one is on for all thirty performances. The care and training they receive is phenomenal. This is not a school performance. These kids are performing like professionals. When they are on stage they are totally on, acting their roles with seeming naturalness.

PNB Principal Dancers Face a Fork in The Road

Philippa Kiraly — Thu, 24 May 2012 06:30:49 +0000

“It’s great partnering experience, particularly with Kaori. It’s wonderful to make your partner look like she’s flying. A good partnership allows you to be free and not worry about technique. And hearing live music enriches the experience.”