Tickets Now On Sale for Pacific Northwest Ballet s 43rd Season! Special Offer: NO SERVICE FEES through July 31.*

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1 July 20, 2015: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Revised July 30, 2015* CONTACT FOR PUBLICATION: MEDIA CONTACT: PNB Box Office Gary Tucker or PNB.org or Tickets Now On Sale for Pacific Northwest Ballet s 43rd Season! Special Offer: NO SERVICE FEES through July 31.* 43rd season to feature the return of audience favorites Emergence, Roméo et Juliette, and Coppélia. Other highlights include works by Christopher Wheeldon, Jerome Robbins, and Twyla Tharp, and PNB premieres by Alejandro Cerrudo, Jessica Lang and Justin Peck. The line-up also includes the PNB premiere of George Balanchine s The Nutcracker, featuring new scenic and costume designs by Ian Falconer. September 2015 June 2016 Marion Oliver McCaw Hall 321 Mercer Street, Seattle Center Seattle, Washington SEATTLE, WA, 7/20/15 Pacific Northwest Ballet opens its Box Office for ticket sales today. As is its tradition, PNB is offering a special money-saving deal for early shoppers: Pay no service fees on tickets purchased through July 31.* Tickets to all performances and audience education programs (as well as money-saving subscriptions) may be purchased either by phone ( ), online (PNB.org) or in person at the PNB Box Office, 301 Mercer Street at Seattle Center. Highlights of PNB s 43rd season include a program devoted to the work of American master choreographers George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, and Twyla Tharp; the return of popular works by Balanchine (The Prodigal Son), Robbins (The Concert), Christopher Wheeldon (Tide Harmonic), and Crystal Pite (Emergence); two story ballets (Roméo et Juliette and Coppélia), PNB premieres by Justin Peck, Jessica Lang, and Alejandro Cerrudo; a world premiere by Company member Price Suddarth, a newly reconstructed Le Corsaire: A Pirate s Tale for matinee family audiences; and the unveiling of Balanchine s The Nutcracker with brand-new sets and costumes by author/illustrator Ian Falconer. Tickets are also available now for PNB s series of audience education programs, panels and seminars SEASON LINE-UP (programming subject to change): First Look Gala Friday, September 25, 2015 (Not part of PNB s subscription season. Call the PNB Box Office for details.) Celebrate the opening of PNB s 43rd season with a glamorous cocktail party, an elegant black-tie dinner, and a dance party onstage after the performance! Author/illustrator/designer Ian Falconer is scheduled to be PNB s honored guest at our season kick-off gala, which will include a first-look costume parade of his creations for George Balanchine s The Nutcracker. For information, visit PNB.org. (Performance tickets sold separately.) Rep 1 SEE THE MUSIC September 25 October 4, 2015 Tide Harmonic Music: Joby Talbot Choreography: Christopher Wheeldon Costume Design: Holly Hynes

2 The Prodigal Son Music: Sergei Prokofiev Libretto: Boris Kochno Choreography: George Balanchine The George Balanchine Trust Staging: Peter Boal Scenic and Costume Design: Georges Rouault The Concert (or, The Perils of Everybody) Music: Frederic Chopin Choreography: Jerome Robbins Staging: Jean-Pierre Frohlich with Judith Fugate Scenic Design: Edward Gorey Costume Design: Irene Sharaff Lighting Design: Jennifer Tipton Lighting Re-creation: Nicole Pearce PNB s season opener welcomes the return of Balanchine s Prodigal Son, choreographed by the ballet master at the age of 25 for Diaghilev s Ballet Russes. Another relative youngster, Christopher Wheeldon (recent Tony Awardwinner for An American in Paris), shares the program with Mr. B, represented by his dramatic Tide Harmonic (created for PNB in 2013). Jerome Robbins hilarious comedy The Concert closes this perfect triple bill. Rep 2 EMERGENCE November 6 15, 2015 Sum Stravinsky Music: Igor Stravinsky Choreography: Kiyon Gaines Costume Design: Pauline Smith The Calling (PNB Season Premiere) Music: Anonymous (12th-13th century) Choreography: Jessica Lang Staging: Jessica Lang and Kanji Segawa Costume Design: Elena Comendador Costume Concept: Jessica Lang Lighting Design: Al Crawford World Premiere Music: Barret Anspach Choreography: Price Suddarth Costume Design: Mark Zappone Emergence Music: Owen Belton Choreography: Crystal Pite Staging: Hope Muir Scenic Design: Jay Gower Taylor Costume Design: Linda Chow Lighting Design: Alan Brodie How many audience members have been counting the days until they could see Crystal Pite s Emergence again? PNB s dancers feel the same way. Kiyon Gaines electric Sum Stravinsky was another immediate favorite when it debuted in PNB s 2012 ALL PREMIERE program. The Calling, a haunting work by choreographer Jessica Lang, artistic director of Jessica Lang Dance, receives its PNB season premiere, alongside a world premiere by our own Price Suddarth. This program provides a crystal ball-look at the next generation of dance makers.

3 George Balanchine/s THE NUTCRACKER (PNB Premiere) November 27 December 28, 2015 (Not part of PNB s subscription season.) Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Choreography: George Balanchine The George Balanchine Trust Staging: Peter Boal, Judith Fugate and Garielle Whittle Scenic & Costume Design: Ian Falconer Lighting Design: James F. Ingalls This November, the curtain will rise on Pacific Northwest Ballet s magical new production of The Nutcracker. Featuring choreography by George Balanchine, Tchaikovsky s timeless score performed by the mighty PNB Orchestra, amazing new sets and costumes by children s author/illustrator Ian Falconer (Olivia), and more than 150 roles, The Nutcracker is the new must-see event of the holiday season. Rep 3 ROMÉO ET JULIETTE February 5 14, 2016 Music: Sergei Prokofiev Choreography: Jean-Christophe Maillot Staging: Gaby Baars, Bernice Coppieters, Giovanna Lorenzoni Scenic Design: Ernest Pignon-Ernest Costume Design: Jérôme Kaplan Lighting Design: Dominique Drillot Jean-Christophe Maillot s brilliant take on Shakespeare s Romeo and Juliet garnered classic status when PNB became the first American company to present it in Though Maillot is the mastermind behind this intoxicating creation, credit also goes to his collaborators, lighting designer Dominique Drillot, set designer Ernest Pignon-Ernest, and PNB favorite, costume designer Jérôme Kaplan (Don Quixote, Giselle). Rep 4 DIRECTOR S CHOICE March 18 27, 2016 Rush Music: Bohuslav Martinu Choreography: Paul Gibson Costume Design: Mark Zappone Little mortal jump (PNB Premiere) Music: Various Choreography: Alejandro Cerrudo Staging: Pablo Piantino Scenic Design: Alejandro Cerrudo Costume Design: Branimira Ivanova Lighting Design: Michael Korsch Year of the Rabbit (PNB Premiere) Music: Sufjan Stevens Choreography: Justin Peck Staging: Craig Hall and Janie Taylor Costume Design: Justin Peck Lighting Design: Brandon Stirling Baker PNB s Paul Gibson wears several hats: an essential ballet master, scheduler, and teacher. And in his spare time, he s an impressive choreographer, too. Rush premiered in the Mercer Arts Arena in 2003, and although we don t want to revisit the venue, the ballet deserves another look. Reworked for this program, Rush kicks off a trio of works featuring PNB premieres by two talented young choreographers, Alejandro Cerrudo s Little mortal jump, and Justin Peck s Year of the Rabbit. Cerrudo is Resident Choreographer for Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and Peck is New

4 York City Ballet s Resident Choreographer. This trio of contemporary works offers an energetic mix of speed, sculpture, and fresh musical offerings. LE CORSAIRE: A Pirate s Tale (PNB Premiere) March 20 26, 2016 (Part of PNB s Family Matinees series.) Music: Adolphe Adam, with additional music by Cesare Pugni and Léo Delibes Choreography: Marius Petipa Reconstruction and Staging: Doug Fullington Scenic Design: Charlene Hall with additional scenery courtesy of PNB Scenic Department Costume Design: Pacific Northwest Ballet Costume Shop Ahoy, mateys! Join us for PNB s new production of Le Corsaire: A Pirate s Tale. This one-hour swashbuckler features a band of pirates, a pompous Pasha, and a magical garden that comes to life in an adventure that s fun for the entire family. Performed by students of Pacific Northwest Ballet School and the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra. Rep 5 COPPÉLIA April 15 24, 2016 Music: Léo Delibes Book: Charles Nuitter, after E.T.A. Hoffman Choreography: Alexandra Danilova and George Balanchine The George Balanchine Trust Staging: Judith Fugate and Garielle Whittle Scenic and Costume Design: Roberta Guidi di Bagno Audiences and critics were captivated when the curtain rose on PNB s 2010 premiere of its exquisite, wisteria-hued production of Coppélia. Beautifully detailed by designer Roberta Guidi di Bagno s lavish sets and costumes, this production is a complete delight for all ages. The story is a lighthearted comedy of mistaken identity featuring vivacious Swanilda, her impetuous suitor Franz, the eccentric toymaker Dr. Coppelius, and a life-like doll. All ends well in the final act s splendid wedding festivities, enhanced by 24 enchanting baby ballerinas. REP 6 AMERICAN STORIES June 3 12, 2016 Fancy Free Music: Leonard Bernstein Choreography: Jerome Robbins Staging: Judith Fugate Scenic Design: Oliver Smith Costume Design: Kermit Love Original Lighting Design: Ronald Bates Square Dance Music: Antonio Vivaldi and Arcangelo Corelli Choreography: George Balanchine The George Balanchine Trust Staging: Peter Boal Waiting at the Station Music: Allen Toussaint Choreography: Twyla Tharp Scenic and Costume Design: Santo Loquasto Lighting Design: James F. Ingalls

5 PNB closes the season with a look at three of the greatest choreographers of our time and their take on the American landscape. George Balanchine s Square Dance, originally performed with a caller seated atop bales of hay, equates the formal patterns of square dancing with the architecture of Vivaldi, Corelli, and classical ballet. Jerome Robbins first work, Fancy Free, not only put himself, set designer Oliver Smith, and composer Leonard Bernstein on the map, it charted a whole new course for American theater and dance. The evening and the season close with Waiting at the Station, Twyla Tharp s epic creation for PNB, set to the foot-stomping rhythms of Allen Toussaint. SEASON ENCORE PERFORMANCE Sunday, June 12, 2016 (Tickets to this event go on sale in 2016.) NEXT STEP choreographers showcase Saturday, June 18, 2016 (Tickets to this event go on sale in 2016.) 35th Annual PNB School Performances June 18 19, 2016 (Tickets to this event go on sale in 2016.) Featuring Scènes de Ballet, choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon Scènes de Ballet Music: Igor Stravinsky Choreography: Christopher Wheeldon Scenic Design: Ian Falconer Costume Design: Holly Hynes SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS, SEMINARS AND LECTURE/DEMONSTRATIONS (Not part of PNB s subscription season. All events take place at The Phelps Center, 301 Mercer Street at Seattle Center, unless otherwise noted. Tickets are available through the PNB Box Office.) PNB offers a variety of free or affordably-priced special events for most of its productions, including previews, conversations, lectures, and Q&As. For additional information on library previews (at the Central Seattle Public Library), pre-performance lectures, and post-show Q&As, visit PNB.org and click on the Events & Offers tab under each specific production s listing. Prodigal Son (Coaching Rehearsal) Tuesday, September 8, 6:00 pm George Balanchine revived his 1929 Prodigal Son for Jerome Robbins in 1950, and Robbins went on to coach Peter Boal in the role in the 1980s. Join us as Boal passes his incredible legacy on to PNB s dancers performing the iconic roles of the Prodigal and the Siren. Exploring George Balanchine s The Nutcracker (Three-part series) Get an inside look at George Balanchine s The Nutcracker before the curtain goes up! PNB s three-part series will introduce you to the magical production that made The Nutcracker America s favorite holiday tradition. Introducing The Nutcracker Tuesday, September 15, 7:00 pm Nesholm Family Lecture Hall at McCaw Hall Learning The Nutcracker Tuesday, October 13, 6:00 pm Dancing The Nutcracker Tuesday, November 17, 5:30 pm

6 Square Dance (Coaching Rehearsal) Tuesday, December 8, 6:00 pm Stager Bart Cook coaches PNB dancers in the celebrated Square Dance solo George Balanchine choreographed for him in Roméo et Juliette (Coaching Rehearsal) Monday, February 1, 5:30 pm Join us for this rare opportunity to see Bernice Coppieters, Jean-Christophe Maillot s muse and original Juliet, coach PNB dancers in his signature staging of Roméo et Juliette. This event will also be live-streamed. New York Tour Preview Friday, February 19, 5:30 pm Pacific Northwest Ballet and the PNB Orchestra return to New York s City Center with two mixed bills of works by Balanchine, Dawson, Forsythe, and Pite. Join in the excitement at this preview studio rehearsal of excerpts from PNB s touring repertory. This event will also be live-streamed. Le Corsaire (Lecture-Demonstration) Tuesday, March 8, 7:00 pm Join Doug Fullington and PNB School Professional Division students to learn all about classical ballet s famous swashbuckler, Le Corsaire, which has been reconstructed by Fullington from original sources to be presented in a streamlined format as Le Corsaire: A Pirate s Tale, PNB s newest Family Matinee ballet. Coppélia (Coaching Rehearsal) Friday, April 8, 5:30 pm George Balanchine s definitive production of Coppélia, classical ballet s great comedy, pays homage to the 1870 French original, set to a delightful score by Léo Delibes. Join Peter Boal and PNB dancers for this coaching session focused on the ballet s intimate second act, set in the toy workshop of the mysterious Dr. Coppelius. PNB Lecture Series & Dress Rehearsal McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer Street at Seattle Center PNB s Lecture Series offers in-depth discussions with choreographers, stagers, designers, dancers, and other artists that reveal much about the creative process involved in the development of a ballet. Guests may attend the lecture only or stay for the dress rehearsal. (Tickets $12 lecture only; $30 lecture and dress rehearsal.) Thursday, September 24, 6:00 pm The Nutcracker designer and PNB Artist in Residence Ian Falconer Thursday, November 5, 6:00 pm World premiere choreographer Price Suddarth Thursday, February 4, 6:00 pm Panel discussion with Roméo et Juliette stagers Bernice Coppieters and Gaby Baars Thursday, March 17, 6:00 pm Year of the Rabbit choreographer Justin Peck Thursday, April 14, 6:00 pm Coppélia stager Judith Fugate Thursday, June 2, 6:00 pm Waiting at the Station stager Kiyon Gaines Friday Previews PNB s popular Friday Previews are hour-long studio rehearsals hosted by Artistic Director Peter Boal and PNB artistic staff, featuring Company dancers rehearsing excerpts from upcoming ballets. Tickets are $12. These events usually sell out in advance. Friday Previews are sponsored by U.S. Bank.

7 EMERGENCE October 30, 6:00 pm Roméo et Juliette January 29, 6:00 pm DIRECTOR S CHOICE March 11, 6:00 pm AMERICAN STORIES May 20, 6:00 pm TICKET INFORMATION: Tickets to the season go on sale today, July 20; Season subscriptions are also available. Tickets and subscriptions may be purchase through the PNB Box Office: Phone: In Person: 301 Mercer Street at Seattle Center Online: PNB.org For information on discount offers including 25 & Under tickets, Teen Tix, and Group Sales, call the PNB Box Office or visit PNB.org: While online, sign up on PNB s list, or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! Be among the first to learn about PNB news, casting and performance updates, ticket offers, and more. # # # Principal sponsorship support for the 2015 PNB premiere of George Balanchine s The Nutcracker is made possible through the generosity of Dan & Pam Baty, title sponsor Alaska Airlines, and major sponsors Snoqualmie Indian Tribe and Swedish Pediatrics. Chaplin Motors/Subaru is the official sleigh sponsor. Pacific Northwest Ballet s season is proudly sponsored by ArtsFund and Microsoft. Season support also provided by 4Culture, National Endowment for the Arts, and Seattle Office of Arts & Culture. PNB media sponsorship provided by The Seattle Times and KOMO 4. About Pacific Northwest Ballet Pacific Northwest Ballet, one of the largest and most highly regarded ballet companies in the United States, was founded in In July 2005, Peter Boal became Artistic Director, succeeding Kent Stowell and Francia Russell, Co-Artistic Directors since The Company of 46 dancers presents more than 100 performances each year of full-length and mixed repertory ballets at Marion Oliver McCaw Hall and on tour. The Company has toured to Europe, Australia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Canada and throughout the United States, with celebrated appearances at Jacob s Pillow and in New York City and Washington, DC. Under the direction of Peter Boal, PNB has continued to expand and diversify its repertory to include works by Ulysses Dove, William Forsythe, Susan Marshall, Mark Morris, Victor Quijada, Twyla Tharp, Christopher Wheeldon and others. Founded in 1974, Pacific Northwest Ballet School, under the direction of Francia Russell since 1977 and now under Mr. Boal's direction, is nationally recognized as setting the standard for ballet training and offers a complete professional curriculum to nearly 1,000 students. The School also provides comprehensive dance education to the greater Seattle area and reaches over 25,000 adults and children each year through DanceChance, Discover Dance and other outreach programs and activities. PUBLICITY CONTACT: Gary Tucker, Media Relations Manager or gtucker@pnb.org Pacific Northwest Ballet 301 Mercer Street - Seattle, WA PNB.org *No service fee offer is valid through 7/31/15. Offer is subject to availability and cannot be combined with other offers, not valid on previously purchased subscription packages and/or tickets. All programming and dates are subject to change. For more information, visit PNB.org. *Revised 7/30/15: This press release has been updated to incorporate new dates for NEXT STEP and PNB School Performances.