Laugh Out Loud! festival programs

The Laugh Out Loud! Spring Dance Festival includes three programs, in repertory, Thursday through Sunday. Tickets are $20-80, available through www.pnb.org or 206-441-2424. Note that Jerome Robbins' "The Concert (or, The Perils of Everybody)," though listed on some festival materials, has been removed from the lineup and replaced by an additional performance of "Ordinary Festivals." ("The Concert" will be seen as part of PNB's Robbins repertory evening in late May.)

Festival Program A

Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m.

"The Lost Language of the Flight Attendant," choreographed by Brian Reeder. "Part of the mission of PNB is to support new, upcoming choreographers," said company artistic director Peter Boal, and Reeder's work, a look at a typical day in the life of a flight attendant, fit the bill. It premiered in New York in 2002, and will feature several of PNB's newer corps de ballet members.

"Spanish Dance," choreographed by Trisha Brown. This three-minute dance from Aberdeen native Brown was part of PNB's Celebrate Seattle festival last year. "I like the quirkiness," said Boal. "One of my favorite things was watching [conductor Stewart Kershaw's] face as he watched it the first time, in disbelief."

"Take Five: More or Less," choreographed by Susan Stroman. The Tony-winning choreographer of "The Producers" and "Contact" created this world-premiere work especially for PNB, set to Dave Brubeck's classic jazz composition. Boal described the piece as "very tight, very entertaining, as Susan's work always is. It's got entertainment and camp and laughs and tap-dancing."

"Variations Sèrieuses," choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon. Wheeldon, considered the premiere classical choreographer working today, takes a comedic turn in this 2001 ballet, set both onstage and backstage during a "typical" ballet performance. Ian Falconer (of the children's book "Olivia") designed the costumes and set, through which we see a performance through the wings. "It's a very comic look at what a ballet company is like," said Boal.

Festival Program B

Sunday at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.

"Shindig," choreographed by Olivier Wevers. PNB principal Wevers, an up-and-coming choreographer, created this piece as a world premiere for the festival. Set to music by Mozart, Stravinsky, Rimsky-Korsakov and others, it's a collection of solos and pas de deux — "bits and pieces that all add up to something very clever and funny," said Boal. "Olivier knows our dancers better than anyone else does, and he's drawn out things that are challenging for them." The theme of the piece, overall? "Silly skirts," said Boal, with a chuckle.

"Ordinary Festivals" (excerpts), choreographed by Sara Pearson and Patrik Widrig. Boal described this 1995 work — a comedic look at ethnic festivals — as more of a theater piece than a dance piece. Watch out for dancers throwing oranges.

"The Dying Swan," after Michel Fokine. Special guest artist Katarina Bychkova, aka Joshua Grant, of Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, presents her interpretation of the well-loved terminal fowl (see accompanying story).

"Take Five: More or Less."

Best of the Fest

Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

"Variations Sèrieuses."

"Shindig."

"Take Five: More or Less."

"The Dying Swan."

"Ordinary Festivals" (excerpts).

Also, each performance will feature One Tiny Dance, a comedic work locally created as part of Ten Tiny Dances/Seattle and performed at intermission on a 4-by-4 stage. Performers are Left Field Revival (Program A), Stephen Hando and Juliet Waller Pruzan (Program B) and Mike Barber and Jenn Gierada (Best of the Fest).

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