The Man behind the Music of Midsummer: Felix Mendelssohn
In just a few short weeks, the bright, staccato strings and the playful, blustering brass of Felix Mendelssohn’s Op. 21, the overture of George Balanchine’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, will fill McCaw Hall. Mendelssohn was just 17 when he wrote this famous overture. He went on to live a bustling life full of creating and […]
5 Reasons Why Giselle is the Ultimate Romantic Ballet
Discover why Giselle has captivated audiences since 1841—from its compelling story of love and betrayal to the iconic Wilis and Adolphe Adam’s expressive score.
Firebird Fun Facts
After 21 years, Firebird returns to the PNB stage. In honor of this exciting occasion, we’ve gathered some fun facts about the ballet!
From the PNB Archives: Notes on Cinderella
Explore the 30+ year history of Kent Stowell’s Cinderella at PNB, from Martin Pakledinaz’s 120 costumes to the ballet’s humanized reimagining of the fairy tale.
The Costumes and Characters of Momotaro (The Peach Boy)
Meet the characters of PNB’s new family ballet Momotaro with costume sketches by Meleta Buckstaff. Discover the Dog, Monkey, Pheasant, fairies, and more.
Fun Facts about PNB’s Cinderella
This winter, PNB presents the beloved fairytale Cinderella on the McCaw Hall stage. This ballet combines the story you know and love with spectacular choreography, Prokofiev’s familiar score, and superb design. Keep reading to learn what makes this ballet so special! 1. Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Cinderella was choreographed by PNB’s Founding Artistic Director Kent Stowell. At its premiere in […]
Cinderella Character Guide
Kent Stowell’s adaptation of Cinderella is a romantic retelling of the classic fairytale. If you’re attending the show, it’s helpful to familiarize yourself with each character before you see them on stage. Read on to meet each magical Cinderella character with this quick, helpful guide! Cinderella an imaginative young woman with big dreams The Prince a monarch seeking love […]
Artistic Director’s Notebook: Kent Stowell’s Cinderella 2026
Dear Friends, You might see the Cinderella story as a prophetic tale of people who come from different backgrounds finding common denominators in such human qualities as love and kindness. Hmm. Could this story be applicable to our world today? Allow me to take this one step further. When we have preconceived notions of people we don’t know, […]
Cinderella Stories Throughout History
The story of Cinderella is timeless. Known by many names around the world, this folk tale emphasizes the innately human desire to overcome unjust oppression and find happily ever after. The roots of the story, more ancient than we may ever know, can be traced back for many centuries. We’ve compiled just a few of the historic […]
The Story of Cinderella
As the curtain rises, Cinderella is daydreaming about a happier life. Her fantasy is interrupted by her stepmother and stepsisters, who are busy getting ready for the Prince’s Ball that evening. All three treat Cinderella like a servant and force her to work day and night. Somehow, Cinderella remains cheerful and helpful to everyone. Suddenly, […]