The current production of Midsummer Night’s Dream at Pacific Northwest Ballet showcases a number of PNB veteran dancers, including three slated to retire at the end of this season.
It’s been awhile since Olivier Wevers displayed his funny side -- recent roles have played up his flair for the dark and dramatic, like the menacing Friar in Romeo et Juliette.
But as Lysander, the “beloved of Hermia” who runs afoul of a magical mixup with a potent love potion, Wevers evokes reminders of past triumphs such as Count Danilo in Merry Widow and demonstrates his terrific command of comedic timing.
Ariana Lallone makes the most of her long frame and athletic leaps as Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons, leading six nifty hounds (Jennifer Christie, Miriam Ernest, Talya Krumholz, Amanda Loh, Elle Macy, and Hannah Wilcox) through the enchanted summer woods.
Throughout his career at PNB, Jeffrey Stanton has shone in the one of the least showiest of roles: the ballerina’s partner. As the quintessential perfect prince, he has supported, lifted, and, quite often, had his face obscured by a lovely lady in a tutu.
At the top of Act II, his partnering of Carla Korbes in the divertissement once again demonstrated his abilities at being the dream dance date. Sadly, Balanchine didn’t think to add a little soft-shoe shuffle to his classic retelling of Shakespeare -- Stanton’s a wickedly good tapper and Broadway-style hoofer (maybe the 5th can lure him out of retirement for one of their shows!).
Meanwhile, neither Lallone or Wevers are going very far and you can expect to see them often in the Seattle Center neighborhood.
Lallone’s retirement is taking her across the street from McCaw Hall to a new gig at Teatro Zinzanni while Wevers will continue to expand his career as a choreographer. His company, Wh’im Whim, is the resident dance company at Intiman Theatre, right next door to the PNB Ballet School.
Other standout performances last Friday included Carrie Imler as a regal but tender Titania, Maria Chapman as the lovelorn Helena pursuing the Hermia-smitten Demetrius (Lucian Postlewaite), Josh Spell as a fantastical Puck, and Ezra Thomson as a befuddled Bottom.
Midsummer Night’s Dream enters its final weekend of performances tonight (April 15). Forget your taxes and take a break in this lush rendition of a fairytale. The costumes and sets by Martin Paklidinez evoke the fairy paintings of English artist Richard Doyle.
Ticket information, including best prices for seats, can be found at www.pnb.org.
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