Bits & Bytes

Bits & Bytes

PNB's Romeo & Juliet, Tacoma Opera's Uncommon Mozart, Vesta and Seattle Dance Project by Milton W. Hamlin - SGN A&E Writer Bits&Bytes returns to its original format this week - a little "bit" of this, a little "byte" of that information. As usual, it's an incredible week for Emerald City entertainment fans. Read on: PNB OPENS PROKOFIEV/ MAILLOT NEW VERSION OF ROMEO & JULIET Pacific Northwest Ballet starts a new era this weekend as it offers its second version of the familiar Shakespeare tale, Romeo & Juliet. The new, European R&J, with highly praised choreography by Jean-Christophe Maillot, the famous Prokofiev score and a simple - perhaps even stark - production design, opened last night (long past SGN's deadline) and continues through February 9. Complete details next week. PNB reports that it will keep its earlier version of R&J in its repertoire. That beloved staging - with lavish sets from Broadway's Ming Cho Lee, choreography by Kent Stowell (PNB's now-retired co-artistic director) and a score cobbled together from major and minor works by Tchaikovsky - has been an audience favorite for 20 years. Seattle dance fans are excited about this new R&J. It is virtually unprecedented for a major American dance company to have two productions of the same tale in rep at the same time - unthinkable to have two Nutcrackers, two Swan Lakes, etc. It's a new era for PNB - and the dance and journalistic eyes of the country will be on Seattle this week. Details next week. Tickets information at 441-2424. Tickets start at just $20. Such a deal& MEGAN COLE TRIUMPHS IN NEW, RIVETING VESTA, FINAL 3 PERFORMANCES Undoubtedly, the most discussed theater production on stage in Seattle these past three weeks has been the riveting new staging of Vesta with Megan Cole, one of the Emerald City's most celebrated, most beloved actresses, in a triumphant return to Seattle. Bits&Bytes' phone has literally been ringing off the hook with, "Have you seen&?" and "You must see&" messages. "Seattle Actress Megan Cole Celebrates The Poetry Of Life - And Death - In Vesta" headlines the press release. And that says it all. (Be sure to read the in-depth review in last week's SGN for complete production and performance details.) Vesta plays its final three evening performances this weekend at the Capitol Hill Arts Center, right next to the SGN office building. The new script - receiving its first professional, Equity production - is by Bryan Harnetiaux, a Washington state resident. If there is any justice in the world of theater, Vesta will have a long and profitable life on stages across the country. Highest recommendation. Check it out. Reservations at 261-5064. The production is presented free of charge (a stipulation of the Equity production policy) but donations are accepted. Dig deep - you'll be glad you did. TACOMA OPERA OFFERS UNCOMMON MOZART FOR NORTHWEST OPERA FANS Tacoma Opera, a talented company with clever programming policies, offers an "Uncommonly Funny" (or so the press release notes) evening of rare Mozart for its 6th annual Young Artist Showcase this weekend. Uncommon Mozart pairs Mozart's The Impresario, a rarely produced one-act from the young genius, with a concert edition of rare Mozart arias and other opera excerpts. Two performances are offered this weekend - Saturday evening and Sunday matinee - at the intimate, 300-seat Theatre On The Square in downtown Tacoma. Details and reservations (a must) at (253) 627-7789. See ya there. SEATTLE DANCE PROJECT SCORES WITH PROJECT ONE, GROUP SHOWS GREAT HOPE The Seattle Dance Project presented its first program, clearly - and cleverly - titled Project One, last weekend, and the group shows great promise, great hope for Emerald City dance fans. Founders and co-artistic directors Julie Tobiason and Timothy Lynch, former key dancers with Pacific Northwest Ballet, welcomed an eager crowd to the ACT Theatre for Project One, a welcome mixed rep program of four world premieres. Informative and entertaining video clips between the four works introduced the company and its eight dancers. An impressive debut. Watch this space for future program information. SGN, Bits&Bytes and all the folks who love dance in the Emerald City welcome the Seattle Dance Project. RIVERDANCE RETURNS TO PARAMOUNT THEATRE ON FINAL NATIONAL TOUR Riverdance, the international phenomenon that has captured the heart of America - and the world - makes its final Seattle appearances at the Paramount Theatre with five more performances through Sunday night. (Read Eric Andrews-Katz' detailed review elsewhere in this week's SGN.) The excitement in the air was measurable as a near-capacity Emerald City audience gathered to say farewell to the incredible entertainment explosion of talent and cultural diversity - with a number of bare-chested hunks as eye candy. While Riverdance was part of the Paramount's Broadway Across American-Seattle series, it also served as a preview of the theater's Dance At The Paramount programs. The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre - celebrating its 50th anniversary - appears March 28-30 at the beautifully restored historic theater. Mark your calendars now, and order tickets for best seating. Budget-minded dance fans should remember that tickets purchased in person at the Paramount's box office have no added service fees, which can be a considerable savings. See ya there.