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Fall Arts
Dance: Farewells at the ballet

ANGELA STERLING "The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet" kicks off the season at Pacific Northwest Ballet, Sept. 23.

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Under their firm guidance, a small-town dance troupe became one of the country's leading repositories of the work of George Balanchine; it spawned a world-class training program for young dancers; and it earned respect from the toughest audiences and critics in the country on a 1996 East Coast tour.

Now Russell and Stowell are stepping down from their posts after more than 25 years, and the company is devoting its 2004-05 season to honoring their achievements.

The season gets under way with a Sept. 17 gala, "Romeo's Revelry," which takes its theme from the year's opener: "The Tragedy of Romeo & Juliet," choreographed by Stowell. "R & J" runs Sept. 23-Oct. 3, and an all-Balanchine program follows Nov. 4-14.

Russell and Stowell will also give a series of talks on the history of the company throughout the season, beginning with a Sept. 28 appearance at the Good Shepherd Center and a Nov. 9 talk at the PNB scene shop in Fremont. And on Oct. 20, Town Hall hosts "An Evening with Kent Stowell and Francia Russell," looking back at their work and lives in Seattle. Go to www.pnb.org for details.

— Lynn Jacobson, Times assistant A&E editor, ljacobson@seattletimes.com

CRITIC'S PICKS

"Riverdance." For folks who like Irish music and dance delivered with a big helping of showbiz blarney, this touring extravaganza tops the fall menu. Direct from Dublin, it's a blend of fancy footwork, furious fiddling and moody lighting and stage effects. Oct. 12-17, The Paramount Theatre.

Bolshoi Ballet and Orchestra. A return visit by what is arguably the most famous ballet company in the world. This year, in addition to the standard classic "Don Quixote," the Russian troupe brings a new version of "Romeo & Juliet," staged by famed theater innovator Declan Donnellan. Treat yourself: see both. Oct. 27-31, The Paramount Theatre.

"All Balanchine," Pacific Northwest Ballet. A lot of the hoopla around the George Balanchine centenary has died down, but it's still the 100th anniversary of the master choreographer's birth. PNB keeps the party going with a program including "The Four Temperaments," "Prodigal Son" and "Symphony in C." Nov. 4-14, McCaw Hall.

Spectrum Dance Theater. This hometown contemporary dance company bears watching as director Donald Byrd pushes it to the next level. A new work by Byrd anchors this program. Nov. 6, The Moore Theatre.

	David Gordon brings Eugene Ionesco's "The Chairs" to On the Boards in November.

"The Chairs," David Gordon. This is an absurdist play (by Eugene Ionesco), staged by one of the architects of postmodern dance — but don't let the art-critical labels scare you. Gordon's work is consistently inventive, beautiful and often very, very funny. Nov. 11-13, On the Boards.

Paul Taylor Dance Company. Taylor is one of the few remaining giants of 20th-century modern dance. You may have seen his work before, but don't let that stop you from going back for more. The man is incredibly versatile, and very few of his dances look alike. Nov. 18-20, Meany Theater.

— Lynn Jacobson, ljacobson@seattletimes.com

ONES TO WATCH

Mary Sheldon Scott and Jarrad Powell

"As a choreographer, I'm essentially trying to uncover and understand the stories buried in the body." So says local artist Mary Sheldon Scott, who has been engaged in her special brand of kinetic archaeology for the last 10 years. Working with longtime collaborator and composer Jarrad Powell, Scott creates dances that showcase both human grace and animal nature.

	ROBERT CAMPBELL Choreographer Mary Sheldon Scott and composer Jarrad Powell will present their latest work, "Vessel," October 7-9 at On the Boards.

Scott and Powell will perform their latest work, "Vessel," Oct. 7-9 at On the Boards. "There's a genuine excitement in the dance community about Molly and Jarrad's new piece," says Lane Czaplinski, artistic director of OTB.

"They've always reveled in probing the relationship between movement and sound, but there's a sense that they're pushing themselves further than they ever have in their 10 years of making work together."

Often haunting, always mesmerizing, the images and audio the duo creates tend to linger in the mind like a dream.

— Brangien Davis, special to The Seattle Times

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

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