Seattle Gay News
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Issue 46, Volume 42, November 14, 2014
Angela Sterling
Carla Körbes and Jerome Tisserand in Justin Peck’s “Debonair”
Todd Hobert
SEATTLE MEN’S CHORUS “… OUR GAY APPAREL” WITH SPECIAL GUEST LINDA EDER BENAROYA HALL November 29 & 30 only
PACIFIC NORTHWEST BALLET “DIRECTOR’S CHOICE” MCCAW HALL November 7-16 If you love classical dance, you have to love the big story ballets that deploy massive corps de ballet of fairies, swans, and peasant girls, virtuosic male and female stars, and the music of Tchaikovsky, Massenet, Prokofiev and Mendelssohn – all served up with lavish sets and frothy costumes. Pacific Northwest Ballet has always charmed its audiences with these wonderful works, and we would be sadly deprived without them. Consider, for instance, the anticipatory pleasure with which we Seattle dance fans (and an army of children) are awaiting our annual reunion with PNB’s “Nutcracker.” Yet a ballet company of national and international importance has an obligation to educate as well as to entertain – to show off its dancers’ classic technique in more conventional ballets, but also to keep
its company and audience abreast of the best choreography of the 20th century and the challenges of the 21st century as new choreographers emerge. Artistic Director Peter Boal is just the man to make the Pacific Northwest Ballet company increasingly important on an ever-larger stage with his “Director’s Choice” programs, bringing the best and the brightest to Seattle – the best dances, the brightest new dance makers – in a process that sophisticates our tastes and opens our minds to new ways of using an old art form. This year’s array of choices offers four very different approaches to classical dance, including two we’ve never seen at McCaw Hall: one world premiere and one company premiere. I’m reviewing in backward order of listing, though the program order was changed the night I attended. “Debonair” (2014) by Justin Peck, music by George Antheil – world première The spotlight was shining most brightly on “Debonair” because it was commissioned by PNB, and because Justin Peck is a principal see PNB page 6
Courtesy of Seattle men’s Chorus
by Eric Andrews-Katz SGN A&E Writer
by Sharon Cumberland SGN Contributing Writer
You may not know Linda Eder’s name, but her voice is unmistakable. Her melodious tones have been compared to the greatest of singers of the Broadway/Pop/Swing era. Strong and clear, Ms. Eder’s powerful belting takes control of any song and makes it perfection. Having a special connection to the Emerald City, Ms. Eder will soon be singing Tom Stewart and cast members in Strange Tales of Preston Stagger Linda Eder alongside the Seattle Men’s Chorus or even degree of talent, writers for their annual holiday production. Rainbow” for the first time. That and not be in the opera world. She by Maggie Bloodstone and directors unafraid of not bewas what made me say, “I want to has such a beautiful and lyrical SGN A&E Writer ing “commercially viable,” venues Eric Andrews-Katz: You’ve said sing!” Not necessarily in that style. sound. It was a lot more like my willing to give them a space on an that there were three women who in- As a child I loved opera because style – preferring sweeping lush TULIPS OF FURY off-night, and audiences willing fluenced you. What was it about each I thought that was “real” singing. melodies, and that was key in my STRANGE TALES OF to shell out a few bucks (as long as of these women that inspired you? PRESTON STAGGER I did this pseudo-opera thing as a not going down the opera route. they still have enough cash to get RE-BAR Linda Eder: kid and started training my voice. I EILEEN FARRELL: When I was drunk), there will be a sexed-up, November 13-22 JUDY GARLAND: She was the didn’t start performing until later. 10 years old, I was given an LP by unashamedly goofy parody of your one that made me want to sing. I BARBRA STREISAND: Her a family friend that used to sing in Bar theatre will never die. As favorite cult film/TV show, Wilde was about eight-years old when I voice was what was pulling me the chorus with Eileen Farrell. I then long as there are actors unwilling to saw The Wizard of Oz, and heard away from opera. I saw that you see Tulips page 5 her sing “Somewhere Over the could sing with a beautiful voice be typecast by gender, appearance, see Linda Eder page 4