Here's what the press and folks in the community are saying about Out There: Jonathan Porretta's Life in Dance

November 2, 2016

Seattle Gay Scene

From SGS's editorial director Michael Strangeways: 'For PNB's Jonathan Porretta, It's "Dance: 10" and "Book:10"'

October 2016 Notice

David Dawson

From choreographer David Dawson: "Jonathan’s personal journey of his life through dance and his dance through life is an inspiration that makes him living proof that dreams come true!"

October 27, 2016

CriticalDance

From CriticalDance writer Dean Speer (author of All Steps Considered): "Out There is one of those must-have books. The photos alone are worth it…and these added to the Sillman’s prose make for a dance book collector’s dream."

October 6, 2016

New Day Northwest on KING 5 TV

Jonathan and Marcie chatted with TV host Margaret Larson, who twice mentions Out There is a"beautiful book." Watch the whole segment here.

September 2016 issue (page 38)

City Arts

From City Arts' writer Rachel Gallaher: "A portrait of Porretta's humor, strength and grace, the book captures the exuberance for movement that carried the dancer to Seattle...to dance difficult and unforgettable roles..."

September 2016 issue (page 28)

Seattle Magazine

Our Elliott Bay Book Co. talk on September 10 makes Seattle Magazine's September MUST LIST!

August 30, 2016

SeattleDances

From SeattleDances co-editor Kaitlin McCarthy: "In short, everything ballet fans could want bound into one striking volume."

September 8, 2016

Seattle Times

From Seattle Times' dance critic Moira Macdonald: "‘Out There’ highlights a treasure of the Seattle dance scene"

September 8, 2016

Beyond the Barre

Listen to Jonathan as he chats with four bright male students from PNB's summer program and Margaret Mullin on her new podcast

Note: The podcast is up on iTunes already; it's sure to be posted at premierdancenetwork.com soon.

September 6, 2016

Queen Anne News

Nice quote from Jordan Pacitti in this QA feature: “[Dance is] the thing [Jonathan's] supposed to do. It found him, and it truly is his purpose. I’ve known him since he was 15. Ups and downs, good or bad, it’s always been the same.”’

September Calendar

Elliott Bay Book Co.

"a striking new book..."

Advance Notice

Peter Boal

(Artistic Director of Pacific Northwest Ballet)

“It’s a great read for ballet-goers, boys, moms and the rest of the human race."

For complete text, see below.

Advance Notice

Marc Kenison (aka Waxie Moon)

“Dancers seldom tell their secrets, like what they are thinking onstage. Through candid journal-style insights, Jonathan shares the unique observations of an insider in a way anyone can appreciate."

For complete text, see below.

Full Text of Advance Notices

Peter Boal, Artistic Director, Pacific Northwest Ballet

“This book is worth the purchase price just for the retrospective of Jonathan Porretta’s various hairstyles.

Like thousands of fans in Seattle, you will love this guy. Jonathan’s unmatchable energy jumps from each page of this visually stunning book.

As much as the story catalogues the career of one of the greats in the world of ballet, it is also the story of a talented boy finding his identity and his passion for dance through the unwavering support of his mother.

This compelling tale takes the reader from the close-minded bullying of the schoolyard to the dazzling bravura of the stage. It’s a great read for ballet-goers, boys, moms and the rest of the human race.”

Marc Kenison (aka Waxie Moon)

"Jonathan Porretta's passion for ballet performance is beyond palpable. He has an extraordinary ability to connect deeply yet effortlessly with an audience, while maintaining formidable technique. His capacity to exude can make a theater that seats nearly three thousand people (McCaw Hall in Seattle, home of The Pacific Northwest Ballet) seem small. Moved by his energized dancing on numerous occasions, I was surprised to learn he is five feet, nine inches tall, given his presence onstage is so large.

Out There; Jonathan Porretta's Life in Dance by Marcie Sillman is a loving portrait of this magnetic balletic powerhouse, chronicling his career from its humble beginnings in suburban New Jersey, to his principal position at PNB. We learn about his drive to dance, ostracized adolescence, his studies at the prestigious School of American Ballet in New York, and his subsequent journey from corps de ballet to étoile in Seattle. His story is supported by beautiful photographs; especially those by Angela Sterling, who captures Mr. Porretta's dynamic range in performance, every inch of him energized and expressing in space.

Out There includes Mr. Porretta's musings on dancing some of the greatest ballets of all time, including works by George Balanchine, William Forsythe, and Twyla Tharp. Dancers seldom tell their secrets, like what they are thinking onstage. Through candid journal-style insights, Jonathan shares the unique observations of an insider in a way anyone can appreciate.

In an art form that is primarily known for celebrating a specific type of feminine ideal, it is refreshing to read about a male ballet star. Yet Mr. Porretta doesn't fit the conventional princely model typically emulated on stage. Out There will inspire dancers (or dance lovers) of any age, but perhaps especially young men, who might relate to Mr. Porretta's adolescent feelings of not fitting in and a singular passion to perform. A flamboyant gay outsider, he found acceptance akin to a second home in the world of dance. Young dancers may find a new kind of inspiration in Mr. Porretta."

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