Last night I went to see Ballet West's production of Romeo and Juliet and it was beautiful. This ballet tells the well-known story of William Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers from feuding families with music composed by Sergei Prokofiev and choreography by Michael Smuin. I loved everything about it starting with the music. The themes played during the Capulet's ball are incredibly dramatic (I had goosebumps during the entire scene) and the variation when when Romeo and Juliet first see each other is haunting. The choreography is riveting, especially the ensemble scenes on the streets of Verona because they are playful and fun to watch (I especially loved it when the women would try to outdo each other because these sequences are hilarious), the sword fights between the Montagues and Capulets because they are very exciting but also very tense, and the multiple Pas de Deux between Romeo and Juliet because, not only are they romantic, they are also quite acrobatic (she leaps into his arms multiple times and at one point he lifts her effortlessly above his head). I was very impressed with the performances. I always hope to see my favorite dancer, Katlyn Addison, in a main role and I was happy that she was Lady Capulet last night. One of my favorite moments is when Lady Capulet mourns the death of Tybalt, who was played by Adrian Fry, by climbing on his funeral bier because it is so powerful. Addison's performance at that moment was incredible because her despair was palpable. I was really struck by the dalliance between Lady Capulet and Tybalt during the ball (for some reason I have never noticed that before) because the chemistry between Addison and Fry was sizzling (I always love to see them paired together). I also enjoyed William Lynch as Mercutio and Jacob Hancock as Benvolio because they were so mischievous, particularly when they taunted Tybalt with their dazzling leaps and spins. Jordan Veit, as Romeo, and Jenna Rae Herrera, as Juliet, danced their roles beautifully with youthful exuberance and passion and I especially loved their breathtaking Pas de Deux during the balcony scene (it was so romantic when he clutched the hem of her skirt to his face). Finally, the elaborate sets and opulent costumes do much to add to the drama. I may or may not have gasped out loud when the Capulet's crypt was revealed because it is so striking with a gray marble backdrop, an iron gate overhead, and black robed dancers carrying lanterns all around Juliet's funeral bier as it is carried inside. I also loved the chapel where Romeo and Juliet are married because it looks like a Renaissance painting. Unfortunately, last night was the final performance of Romeo and Juliet but you can go here for upcoming ballets, including A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Nutcracker.
