Kent Stowell's Cinderella

When Pacific Northwest Ballet announced their 40th anniversary season I was excited to see Cinderella, Swan Lake, and the Director's Choice listed in the repertoire.

I'd come across beautiful photographs of their Cinderella production last year and thought how lovely it would be to see it. I will probably always remember the ballroom scene when the corp de ballet dancers waltzed in striking red costumes amid a sumptuous Georgian setting. It was beautiful! So elegant!

Photo © Angela Sterling

My mother remarked she loved the way the memories and dreams were captured-- as through a 'window' on the stage which was a soft curtain with the dancers behind it, the curtain created a very gentle haze, which enhanced the feel of the fantasy and dream-like world.

Photo © Angela Sterling

There were some lovely pas de deux. I think they were Stowell's choreographic strength. But, excepting the finale, the rest of the choreography seemed weak. A lot of the same movements between the different seasonal fairies and the corps; third arabesque arms define much the second act. And the prince barely danced-- to be more precise he wasn't given as much stage time.

One thing I enjoy of Cinderella is the music, and some of the score was shuffled and adjusted to, I'm assuming, some of Prokofiev's other music.

The outer-stage was adorned with a beautiful display and above it the fateful clock loomed and moved as midnight came.

There were many beautiful points to the production but I'm curious to see if PNB will adopt Wheeldon's Cinderella production for the future. It's set to debut at Het Nationale Ballet this December.