Light, fun and easy to interpret, Pacific Northwest Ballet’s performanceof Coppélia is not to be missed. This is a good one to cut your teeth on if you have little ballet exposure. Or if you like ballet and don’t want to go alone, this is the perfect one to introduce someone to ballet.
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Principal Dancer Jonathan Porretta’s solo alone made it worth it. I have been waiting all season for him to cut loose like he did in the third act. When you watch Michael Jordan you don’t want to see him dribble up and down the court, you want to see him dunk on fools. For me, Porretta is the same way. Yes, he is a good performer and is able to convey the detailed story of Coppélia without words. I appreciate that, not everyone has that acting skill with ballet. But I also want to see him leap to the rafters.
Principal Dancer Kaori Nakamura as Swanilda is, as always, a delight to watch. Aside from being an incredible serious dancer, she flawlessly plays the comical parts of Coppélia. This performance is not just a way to showcase skills, but it looks like the dancers are having fun. Just like the audience is.
Coppélia is easy for younger children or ballet newcomers to understand. The first two 30 minute acts are more story with the third one feeling more like a talent showcase. It is all fun to watch. With two intermissions and a fast moving plot, even the shortest of attention spans will be engaged.
Take younger kids to the matinee performance. If a night time is the only show you can take them to, you can leave during the second intermission saying, “And they lived happily ever after” and the story will feel wrapped up. Tickets are available online or at the box office. Coppélia runs through June 13, do not miss it.
Top photo: Principal Dancer Jonathan Porretta as Franz in PNB’s premiere production of Coppélia doesn’t leap high, he flies low. Photo © Angela Sterling
Above photo:Jonathan Porretta and Kaori Nakamura light up the stage as young lovers in Coppélia. Choreography by Alexandra Danilova and George Balanchine. Photo © Ben Kerns
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