Nov 27, 2018 my memories of the nutcracker in seattle. Dec 14, 2018 the props once stood in the lobby during performances of the maurice sendaks unique production of the nutcracker. Maurice sendaks fabulous sets and costumes for the pacific northwest ballets nutcracker are as much a beloved. From the nutcraker pacific northwest ballet, kent stowell. The ballet is choreographed by pacific northwest ballet artistic director kent stowell b. For more than three decades, seattle s nutcracker has used sets and costumes designed by sendak, who died in 2012. The chinese dance in the artist maurice sendak and the choreographer kent stowells production of the nutcracker, which is presented each season by. Dec 23, 2014 in seattle, maurice sendak s wild nutcracker reaches its final act for more than 30 years, the pacific northwest ballets nutcracker has used sets and costumes designed by the author of where. A beginners guide to taking a small child to the nutcracker. If youve never joined us, dont miss your last chance to see tiny toy soldiers and snowflakes that dance if you loved it before, its time to come back for this wondrous nutcracker by stowell. Maurice sendaks original illustrations of clara and the prince. The bold and imaginative costumes and set design dreamt up by sendak, the author of where the wild things are, has given seattle a nutcracker unlike any other for decades, and mark zappone has been in pnbs costume shop from the start. This production, created by pnb founding artistic director kent stowell and celebrated illustrator and childrens book author maurice sendak, would be replaced.
The stories behind maurice sendaks nutcracker designs. The secret history of one of the worlds most celebrated nutcracker productions. Dec 23, 2014 in addition to his beloved childrens books, maurice sendak june 10, 1928may 8, 2012 vitalized the popular imagination with his equally innovative contributions to theater. Pnbs stowellsendak nutcracker takes a final bow the. We poured over seattle refined photographer joshua lewis photos of the performance. Mccaw hall lobby opens two hours before the start of each performance. Northwest audiences get their last chance to see the stowellsendak nutcracker this winter.
George balanchines the nutcracker pacific northwest ballet. George balanchines the nutcracker is two hours including one intermission. Last year, the company announced that they would be retiring the nutcracker which had been performed at mccaw hall known previously as the seattle opera house for the last 31 years. The brilliant result of close collaboration between pnb founding artistic director and choreographer kent stowell and renowned childrens book author and illustrator maurice sendak, nutcracker premiered to national acclaim in december 1983. For more than three decades, seattles nutcracker has used sets and costumes designed by sendak, who died in 2012. Carrington is a harpist for the pnb, and was able to. After 20 years, i am very familiar with tchaikovskys nutcracker suite. When pacific northwest ballet pnb announced its adieu to the kent stowellmaurice sendak version of the nutcracker last year, many of usand by us i mean those rare individuals who have lived in seattle for more than a few yearsreacted with a plaintive groan or a whiny, toddleresque chorus of noooo. Kent stowell and maurice sendak crafted a unique approach to the holiday classic, combining physical virtuosity and theatrical traditions. However, the disc is part of foxmgms manufactureondemand studio classics series. Pnb to shelve its beloved version of nutcracker in 2015. Not only was this my daughters first ballet, but it was practically my first ballet.
Dec 01, 2010 the chinese dance in the artist maurice sendak and the choreographer kent stowells production of the nutcracker, which is presented each season by the pacific northwest ballet in seattle. In 1983, four years after he adapted where the wild things are for the stage, sendak designed the set for the pacific northwestern ballets production of nutcracker. Seattle, wa pacific northwest ballet is delighted to celebrate three decades of kent stowell and maurice sendaks oneofakind nutcracker, the northwests favorite holiday tradition. On december, 1983, pacific northwest ballet premieres a new production of nutcracker. The longtime pnb costumer mark zappone shares stories of maurice sendak and the mans iconic nutcracker designs. Maurice sendaks original illustration for pnbs stowellsendak nutcracker. The stories behind maurice sendaks nutcracker designs seattle.
Tickets are currently on sale to pnb subscribers and will be available to the general public starting may 19. Discovering maurice sendak, the opera designer the new. Nov 27, 2018 last year, the company announced that they would be retiring the nutcracker which had been performed at mccaw hall known previously as the seattle opera house for the last 31 years. Sendaks nutcracker returns to north beach my ballard. After 31 years enchanting seattle holiday audiences, kent stowell and maurice sendaks nutcracker will see its final curtain call as part of the 201415 pacific northwest ballet season. Nov, 2014 if youve never joined us, dont miss your last chance to see tiny toy soldiers and snowflakes that dance if you loved it before, its time to come back for this wondrous nutcracker by stowell. Dec 15, 2015 the only perfect use of those three minutes in the nutcracker known as the arabian dance. And if youre familiar with maurice sendaks childrens book where the wild things are, youll instantly recognize the toothy tiger with the big yellow eyes that totters and leaps. The colorful holiday classic is finally brought to the big screen, designed by famed childrens story author and artist maurice sendak, and written for the first time to be as close as possible to the original story. That was the dilemma facing pacific northwest ballet over its nutcracker, choreographed by kent stowell and designed by beloved childrens authorillustrator maurice sendak. With sets and costumes designed by renowned illustrator maurice sendak where the wild things are, and choreography by pnb founding. This is the last year for their production, since pnb. Nutcracker props adorn seattle lawn north seattle s nutcracker lawn pays homage to sendak version of pnbs production, as owner continues to make beautiful music in the balanchine version.
Pacific northwest ballets nutcracker, with lavish sets and costumes by maurice sendak and choreography by kent stowell, has been a tradition for seattlearea families since 1983. Maurice sendak s fabulous sets and costumes for the pacific northwest ballets nutcracker are as much a beloved. The beautiful sets and costumes were designed by maurice sendak, and the orchestra always does a magnificent job with the music. Northwest audiences get their last chance to see the stowell sendak nutcracker this winter. Seattle, wa pacific northwest ballet is delighted to celebrate three decades of kent stowell and maurice sendaks oneofakind nutcracker, the nortfrom. Sendak, stowell and the history of pnbs unique nutcracker. Fans buying the nutcracker seattle tickets should look out for the companys famed live orchestra.
The final bow for the maurice sendakkent stowell version of nutcracker will take place november 28december 28, 2014. But the stowellsendak nutcracker will soon take its final bow at the end of this season and be put into storage, making way for the start of a new tradition. If you havent already, everyone should take a trip to the the nutcracker in seattle, for it allows the viewer to interact on a grand scale with sendaks art, much like the 1984 exhibit at sam did for its audiences. The only perfect use of those three minutes in the nutcracker known as the arabian dance. Maurice sendak nutcracker pacific northwest ballet download 4c30fd4a56 nutcracker. Ive only been to one other performance which was coincidently pnbs longtime version of the nutcracker by maurice sendak and kent stowell, a very long time ago. In addition to annual seattle performances, pnb has performednutcracker in vancouver.
Pnbs stowellsendak nutcracker premiered in seattle on december, 1983. I remember going to the pacific northwest ballet in 3rd grade on a school field trip. Mccaw hall, 321 mercer street, on the north edge of seattle center. History of the nutcracker pacific northwest ballet. Maurice sendak, in full maurice bernard sendak, born june 10, 1928, brooklyn, new york, u. After 31 years and hundreds of performances, pacific northwest ballet has begun its farewell to kent stowell and maurice sendaks nutcracker. The stowell and sendak nutcracker contributed significantly.
Hoffmans the nutcracker and the mouse king, stowell and sendak delved deeply into the original story and infused the ballet with a. The props once stood in the lobby during performances of the maurice sendaks unique production of the nutcracker. Pacific northwest ballet celebrates three decades of. Kidfriendly guide to the nutcracker in seattle marcie. Maurice sendaks weird and wondrous illustrations for the. Kuow why shaking up seattles nutcracker is so risky. Dec 23, 2014 and if youre familiar with maurice sendaks childrens book where the wild things are, youll instantly recognize the toothy tiger with the big yellow eyes that totters and leaps. Olivia author is the new set designer for pnbs nutcracker. With hugh duncan bigney mitchell, vanessa sharp, patricia barker, wade walthall. In honor of the farewell season of pacific northwest ballets stowell and sendak nutcracker, we updated this terrific article about the ballets fascinating history. As a dancer myself, i was so excited to see my first real ballet. A lavish, exciting and heartwarming celebration of dance, of music. Maurice sendak designed sets and costumes for the ballet.
Jun 16, 2012 on december, 1983, pacific northwest ballet premieres a new production of nutcracker. Dec 03, 2014 after 31 years and hundreds of performances, pacific northwest ballet has begun its farewell to kent stowell and maurice sendaks nutcracker. Demented dancers, silly stagehands and the maniacal pnb orchestra a bit giddy after thirtyplus performances take more than a few liberties with. Sendaks first professional encounter with nutcracker came when he was approached by the pacific northwest ballet to recreate the original e. Like many of us seattle kids, we grew up with the maurice sendak version of the nutcracker. Seattle, wa pacific northwest ballet is delighted to celebrate three decades of kent stowell and maurice sendak s oneofakind nutcracker, the nortfrom the pacific. Starting in 2015, pnb will perform george balanchines the nutcracker complete with new costumes and sets designed by ian falconer creator of the popular childrens book series olivia. But now the pacific northwest ballet is retiring its oneofakind production. The 1983 version of the nutcracker seattle ballet ran for 31 years under the guidance of choreographer kent stowell. At long last, nutcracker, the motion picture, carroll ballards film of the pacific northwest ballets maurice sendak designed production is available on an official region one dvd from mgm, the films current owner. Dec 17, 2001 sendak s first professional encounter with nutcracker came when he was approached by the pacific northwest ballet to recreate the original e.
While a student there, he drew backgrounds for allamerican. The nutcracker seattle tickets the nutcracker seattle. As we prepare for the farewell season of pnbs stowellsendak nutcracker, heres a look back in pictures at how this cherished holiday tradition got its start. And if youre familiar with maurice sendak s childrens book where the wild things are, youll instantly recognize the toothy tiger with the big yellow eyes that totters and leaps. Pnbs stowellsendak nutcracker takes a final bow the seattle. In seattle, maurice sendaks wild nutcracker reaches. Pacific northwest ballet takes a leap with the nutcracker. Choreographed by kent stowell and designed by celebrated childrens author maurice sendak best known for where the wild things are, this. Maurice sendaks illustration of stahlbaum family toy cabinet, mozart. Carrington is a harpist for the pnb, and was able to acquire the old props when they were replaced.
See more ideas about pacific northwest ballet, maurice sendak and nutcracker costumes. Installation shot from sendak onstage, seattle art museum volunteer park, 111584 12785. The result was pacific northwest ballets much praised 1983 christmas production of the the nutcracker in seattle. Maurice sendaks designs for opera and ballet through oct. So stowell and russell approached the late childrens book author and illustrator maurice sendak and invited him to design the sets and. In seattle, maurice sendaks wild nutcracker reaches its final act for more than 30 years, the pacific northwest ballets nutcracker has used sets and. Actually, i didnt know any others existed when i was younger. Nov 28, 2014 kent stowell and maurice sendak crafted a unique approach to the holiday classic, combining physical virtuosity and theatrical traditions. Pacific northwest ballets production of nutcracker, which opens tomorrow at mccaw hall, is such a venerable holiday tradition for our region that its easy to forget that it was once considered a tremendous risk. Dec 03, 2018 if you havent already, everyone should take a trip to the the nutcracker in seattle, for it allows the viewer to interact on a grand scale with sendaks art, much like the 1984 exhibit at sam did for its audiences. Nutcracker props adorn seattle lawn north seattles nutcracker lawn pays homage to sendak version of pnbs production, as owner continues to make beautiful music in the balanchine version. We are spoiled here in seattle to have such an amazing company like pacific northwest ballet putting on such timeless productions like george balanchines the nutcracker. Dec 23, 2014 for more than three decades, seattle s nutcracker has used sets and costumes designed by sendak, who died in 2012. In seattle, maurice sendaks wild nutcracker reaches its final act.
In seattle, the pacific northwest ballet performs the nutcracker to that same ubiquitous pyotr ilyich tchaikovsky score. And it wasnt because wed miss the spectacle of snow falling on twirling. Pacific northwest ballet the pacific northwest ballets nutcracker is now the worlds most recognized and celebrated production, now in its 29th season the legendary costumes and sets are designed by maurice sendak author and illustrator of where the wild things are and the performance itself is seen by approximately 100,000 people per year booster seats are available on a first come. Pnbs stowell sendak nutcracker premiered in seattle on december, 1983. In addition to his beloved childrens books, maurice sendak june 10, 1928may 8, 2012 vitalized the popular imagination with his equally innovative contributions to theater. The pnb retired sendaks production in 2014, and george balanchines took over in 2015. Pacific northwest ballet premieres kent stowellmaurice.
302 207 1498 319 496 591 386 1228 72 450 1555 1611 1317 856 472 1428 769 493 571 324 605 415 1108 711 681 1466 618 1332 81 724 674 1015 918 201 689 93