Seattle audiences will finally have the chance to experience Penny Saunders’ Wonderland, originally created for film during the pandemic, in person. A program note written by Saunders explains:
Wonderland pays homage to the marvel and magic of live theater – a love letter to the immense power and delight one finds within those walls. This work was originally made for film during the height of the pandemic. Now we happily inhabit this beautiful space again with a renewed sense of gratitude for the shared experience of live performance.
Penny Saunders' Wonderland Excerpt
Joining Wonderland on Pacific Northwest Ballet‘s upcoming BOUNDLESS program are world premiere works created by former Residence Choreographer Alejandro Cerrudo (currently directing Charlotte Ballet) and Jessica Lang.
Not much has been revealed about Cerrudo’s yet-to-be-titled piece, but its playlist – M. Ward (More Rain, “More Rain”), Parra for Cuva (Mood in C, “Mood in A”), Hidden Orchestra (East London Street, “East London Street- Drums Only Version”), Natalia Tsupryk (Mariupol, “Mariupol”), Brambles (Charcoal, “Unsayable”), Ben Crosland (The Turn, “The Hourglass”), Timber Timbre (Timber Timbre, “Demon Host”) – hints at variety.
Lang says of Let Me Mingle Tears With Thee:
Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater, written in 1736 when he was only 26 years old, is one of his most celebrated sacred works and composed in the final weeks of his life. The Stabat Mater is a 13th-century Latin hymn which portrays Mary standing at the foot of the cross mourning the loss of her Son. Over centuries, the text has been a popular subject for many composers including Scarlatti, Vivaldi, Haydn, Schubert, Verdi, Dvořák, and Arvo Pärt. Featuring two voices, Pergolesi’s score is 12 movements, divided in two parts. The first half is in third person, with the text providing a bit of narrative storytelling while the second half is in first person becoming a universal prayer.
Pacific Northwest Ballet’s BOUNDLESS program at Marion Oliver McCaw Hall:
- March 17 at 7:30 PM
- March 18 at 2:00 and 7:30 PM
- March 23 – 25 at 7:30 PM
- March 26 at 1:00 PM
It is also available to stream digitally from March 30 – April 3, 2023.
PNB will also be offering three in-person special events to complement the program. They include a forum with Cerrudo, Lang, and Saunders followed by a dress rehearsal, a discussion with dance historian Doug Fullington, and a meet the artist session after each performance with Artistic Director Peter Boal and company dancers.
Featured Photo Pacific Northwest Ballet principal dancer Elizabeth Murphy in Penny Saunders’ Wonderland. Photo © Lindsay Thomas.
