PNB's season a pas de deux of classical and contemporary dance

Pacific Northwest Ballet's 2007-08 season continues to move the company closer to the contemporary dance scene, while still respecting its classical roots. The new season, which features trademark story ballets and a generous helping of George Balanchine, also includes the return of the Spring Dance Festival and 13 PNB premieres, several from choreographers introduced by artistic director Peter Boal in his first two seasons.

Jerome Robbins, the New York City Ballet choreographer whose work spanned ballet and Broadway, will be represented by an all-Robbins evening, including "In the Night," "Opus 19/The Dreamer" and "Fancy Free." His classical-music spoof "The Concert" will be part of the Spring Dance Festival (one of several comic dances featured).

The work of Boal favorites Ulysses Dove and Twyla Tharp will return with, respectively, "Vespers" and "In the Upper Room," and NYCB resident choreographer Christopher Wheeldon returns with "Variations Sérieuses."

Boal continues to introduce active choreographers to PNB's audiences. David Parsons, a former Paul Taylor dancer, will make his PNB debut with two works: "Caught" and "The Envelope." Pilobolus co-founder Moses Pendleton will be represented with "Millennium Skiva," and PNB principal dancer Olivier Wevers will unveil a world premiere ballet.

Three story ballets anchor the season: Jean-Christophe Maillot's "Roméo et Juliette," Balanchine's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and PNB's perennial "Nutcracker." Subscriptions ($120-$2,400) go on sale in February, single tickets in July.

Also in the season: Balanchine's "Square Dance," "Prodigal Son," "Ballet Imperial" and "Agon"; the return of Susan Marshall's "Kiss" and Paul Gibson's "Sense of Doubt"; and the PNB premieres of William Forsythe's "One Flat Thing Reproduced," Edwaard Liang's "Für Alina," Brian Reeder's "The Lost Language of the Flight Attendant" and Sara Pearson and Patrik Widrig's "Ordinary Festivals."

Moira Macdonald: 206-464-2725 or mmacdonald@seattletimes.com