PNB announced this morning that departed principal ballerina Noelani Pantastico will return to the company this fall.
The Hawaii-born dancer left Seattle in 2008 to join Jean-Christophe Maillot’s troupe, Les Ballets de Monte Carlo, after dazzling audiences here with her performance in Maillot’s Roméo et Juliette.
PNB artistic director Peter Boal made this statement this morning:
“When I announced the 2015-2016 season last week, I didn’t think the season could get any better. Believe it or not, it just did and I cannot wait to share the news. This isn’t about the programming, but about a very special dancer who is making a happy homecoming to PNB: Noelani Pantastico will be returning to Pacific Northwest Ballet as a principal dancer this coming November. After her dazzling run as Juliette in the PNB premiere of Jean-Christophe Maillot’s Roméo et Juliette, Noelani was invited to join his company, Les Ballets de Monte Carlo where she’s been dancing since 2008. If you haven’t seen Noelani dance, you’ll soon know why we are so delighted to welcome her back home to Seattle. Noelani’s return to the McCaw Hall stage will be in PNB’s new production of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker. Please join me in welcoming Noelani back to PNB!”