All Wheeldon at Pacific Northwest Ballet is en Pointe

Pacific Northwest Ballet opened their 2011-2012 season with a showcase of the work of contemporary darling choreographer Christopher Wheeldon. The company, now under its 6th year with Artistic Director Peter Boal, solidly executed four of the complex pieces, a testament to the strength of Wheeldon's choreography and the precise beauty of the PNB dancers.

They opened with Carousel (A Dance), a ballet take on the Rodgers and Hammerstein Broadway musical. Touchingly performed by Seth Orza and Carla Körbes, the pas de deux was sincere and lyrical. A corps of dancers bookended the piece, creating a shockingly gorgeous scene at the end, with the ballerinas perched on the shoulders of their partners emulating carousel horses.

Next came the famous After the Rain Pas de Deux, performed to standing ovation by Maria Chapman and Karel Cruz. The piano and violin music composed by Arvo Pärt, has the soulful intensity to perfectly score the intense emotional performance. The execution was near perfect, invoking in this viewer a range of emotion that only a full reflection of one's relationship to love can do. The beauty and desperation of needing another human, while often gorgeous and always necessary, can also be fraught with anguish, fear and compromise. Wheeldon clearly gets it, and Chapman and Cruz bring it home.

Polyphonia features 10 works of music by the late Hunagrian composer György Ligeti, each showcasing the technically difficult and complex choreography. Featuring eight dancers, they move through the pieces, pas de deux, solos, works for three or six, in a whirlwind. Carla Körbes shined in her performances, contorting into angular, intense lines captivating to watch. The emotions invoked in the pieces were almost repulsive while entirely consuming. These aren't relationships you would want to have, but god, are they incredible to watch.

The last, and longest piece exhibited Wheeldon's skill with a narrative, and comedic, ballet. Variations Sérieuses immediately reminded us of the Aronofsky film Black Swan, in that it is a backstage peek into the world of ballet. Featuring a haughty prima ballerina (Laura Gilbreath), talented ingenue (Sarah RIchard Orza) and star danseur (Seth Orza) as well as a cast of stagehands, the hilarious incarnation of a ballet master (complete with requisite black turtleneck) and a full corps, it tell the story of a young woman cast into the spotlight as a last-minute lead substitute, and the implied corruption of innocence that comes with fame and accolades. The set was incredible, with the audience watching the dancers as if we were in the wings while they perform to an nonexistent offstage audience. It fully completes the voyeuristic feeling of this piece. The sheer inventiveness of this perspective, and the captivating storyline, almost take away from the dancing but nary a complaint was heard.

This was fine form for the PNB season opener. The company is so strong in their technical and emotional execution. The music was performed with at time aching beauty by the symphony orchestra and Wheeldon's choreography was gorgeous. He's a modern master, and PNB's All Wheeldon is a fine opportunity to behold his genius.

All Wheeldon runs through October 2. Watch the trailer below: