A principal dancer with New York City Ballet has been named as the “lead candidate” to become artistic director of Seattle-based Pacific Northwest Ballet. PNB is stressing that 39-year-old Peter Boal does not have the job yet, and will return to Seattle later this fall for another round of meetings with the company’s board members and dancers. Barring any unforeseen hitches in those interviews, Boal is expected to sign a contract by early 2005.