I have not been cooking or writing as much as I’d like lately. I did make Ina’s Mexican Soup earlier this week. But it didn’t merit a blog entry. It wasn’t bad, it simply didn’t blow my socks off or my skirt up or my house down.
Last night, Michael and I were in Seattle for a studio rehearsal of Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Don Quixote. As season subscribers, we often get invited (with about 60 other people) to a studio rehearsal about a week before opening night. This hour experience is almost better than the performance. Three rows of chairs, on risers are placed in front of the mirror in the biggest studio. The dancers are in their “working clothes” IE with the exception of rehearsal tutus for the women (if necessary) the attire is as individual as the dancer.
These are working rehearsals, which means they stop and start as necessary to give notes, corrections and to make adjustments. Peter Boal, the Artistic Director is present and runs the rehearsal along with several others: Ballet Master, Rehearsal Mistress, stagers, technical crew, props manager, Choreography Coach and who ever else is deemed necessary to be there. Often principal dancers sit on the sides of the studio in street clothes even if it’s not their night to rehearse – studying the dancer dancing their part to take in the notes and corrections as if it were them.
Adding to the majestic splendor of the premier of PNB’s Don Q, they have renowned actor Tom Skerritt in the role of Don Quixote. Last night’s rehearsal was a treat, as Tom was there rehearsing with the dancers. They rehearsed the entire third act, including the high-energy pas du deux. Last night’s Kitri was Carrie Imler and her Basilio was Batkhurel Bold. It was great fun to share in the excitement and energy of the dancers, as they are very supportive of one another. After Kitri’s and Basilio’s solos in the pas de deux, the fellow dancers clapped and cheered.
If you are able, go and see this wonderfully colorful, lively and humorous production. It’s my favorite ballet and I’ve been waiting a long time for PNB to do Don Q.
Score by Ludwig Minkus (1869), choreography by Marius Petipa and Alexander Gorsky.
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