The timeless novel is at the heart of a dazzling new production.

Pacific Northwest Ballet is proud to announce the American premiere of Alexei Ratmansky’s “Don Quixote” at Seattle Center’s Marion Oliver McCaw Hall on Saturday, Feb. 3. The show was originally created for the Dutch National Ballet, and premiered in Amsterdam in 2010.

Full of wit and romance, “Don Quixote” follows the eponymous Spanish hero and his faithful squire, Sancho Panza, to Barcelona on a quest for Dulcinea, Quixote’s dream lover. Instead of meeting her, Quixote finds the high-spirited Kitri and the new couple embarks on an adventurous journey teeming with castanets and tambourines, flashing fans and whirling matadors.

“Don Quixote” is directed by Alexei Ratmansky, an esteemed choreographer who previously won the prestigious Golden Mask Award for his Bolshoi Ballet production of “Jeu de Cartes.”

Emmy-winning actor Tom Skerritt makes his ballet debut in the titular role. Sancho Panza will be played by Allen Galli, a veteran of the local theater scene who previously appeared in Village Theatre’s production of “Man of La Mancha.”

“Don Quixote” is noteworthy for PNB, as it is the largest production in the company’s history. The show requires 2,200 square feet of dancing space for the performers (other PNB shows require roughly 1,700 square feet), and more than 280 costumes and props (including 47 wigs) will be used for each performance. For a touch of realism, all the Torreadors wear authentic hats made in Madrid and the monster masks were designed by the same company that worked on the “Lord of the Rings” film franchise. All told, “Don Quixote” cost roughly $860,000 to produce.

This production promises to be visually spectacular and fun for the whole family. Special activities for children and families-including crafts and dance classes begin one hour before all matinee performances.

The show has four performances scheduled from Saturday, Feb. 4 to Monday, Feb. 5, and will resume with six performances from Thursday, Feb. 9 to Sunday, Feb. 12; all performances will take place at McCaw Hall. Tickets ($28-168) are available online, or by calling the PNB Box Office at (206) 441-2424.

“Don Quixote” at McCaw Hall | Feb. 3-5, Feb. 9-12  | Times vary (schedule)