Corinne Whiting Seattleites

Culture Dose: Whim W’Him Presents the Premiere of “Approaching Ecstasy”

Lucien Postlewaite and Kaori Nakamura rehearsing, by Kim Bamberg, BambergFineArt.com.

A vocal dance creation features Lucien Postlewaite before he leaps out of Seattle.

Exciting things are on the horizon for dance company Whim W’Him, which performs alongside live singers for the first time during its May 18-20 performance of “Approaching Ecstasy” at the Intiman Theatre.

Lucien Postlewaite and Kaori Nakamura rehearsing, by Kim Bamberg.


For this unique “vocal dance creation” collaboration, Founding Director Eric Banks of The Esoterics translated 18 sensual poems by the Greek poet Constantine Cavafy into Greek and English. Banks also composed original music that showcases Cavafy’s secret life as a gay man living in Egypt a century ago. The production features new choreography by Whim W’Him’s Artistic Director Olivier Wevers.

Change is in the air too, since Lucien Postlewaite (a principal dancer at Pacific Northwest Ballet who also happens to be the husband of Whim W’Him’s Olivier Wevers) will leave Seattle to fulfill his dream of dancing with the prestigious Ballets de Monte Carlo beginning in September 2012. Olivier, who has been married to Lucien since 2008 (you can read about the couple here) discusses his husband’s imminent departure.

Lucien Postlewaite and Andrew Bartee rehearsing, by Molly Magee.

“I am very excited for Lucien to fulfill his dream of dancing with the Ballets de Monte Carlo, and support him completely in this adventure. I will miss his daily presence in my life as well as his presence on the stage, but we are both deeply committed to each other and are equally passionate about pursuing our professional goals while maintaining our strong relationship,” says Olivier Wevers. “While Lucien will be living an ocean away, our commitment to each other as well as his commitment to Whim W’Him are steadfast.  He has been a part of this company since its inception and his invaluable contributions will be felt indefinitely. This is just one more step down our long journey together.”

Follow the company’s blog, as they  gear up for the much-anticipated May production. Purchase tickets via BrownPaperTickets (student ticket prices available with ID).

Whim W’Him’s “Approaching Ecstasy” at Intiman Theatre |  Friday, Saturday & Sunday May 18-20