By Kathryn Olsen
Premiering just in time for Valentine’s Day,Ballet West returns a classic of literature and dance to the stage of Salt Lake City‘s Capitol Theatre with Romeo and Juliet. This timeless story may have originated with William Shakespeare, but the music by Sergei Prokofiev for his 1935 adaptationis as emotionally expressive and captivating as the original play. I, myself, first encountered this ballet when playing it as a young violinist, so have looked forward to every opportunity to see it on stage since.
As the ballet opens, a peaceful day in Verona, Italy is itnerrupted by the brawling of people loyal to two noble houses: the Montagues and the Capulets. While not all people in this city are involved in the feud, it has an impact on their daily lives and leads to Escalus (Jeff Rogers), the Duke of Verona, decreeing that any person continuing the violence will be banished. Romeo (Chase O’Connell) is in love with Rosaline (Amy Potter), a niece of the Capulets, and decides to crash a party that night in hopes of wooing her. Meanwhile, Juliet Capulet (Beckanne Sisk) is expected by her parents and her nurse (Rachel Cavanaugh) to marry the nobleman Paris (Jordan Veit). True love blossoms when the children of the two enemies meet without any regard for the animosity between their families and the complicated situation is made worse by the vengeful spirit of Tybalt (Rex Tilton).
O’Connell brings great transparency to his internal conflict in his performance. His Romeo is tragically ambivalent at times, but he commits to both his passion and his pathos as what Shakespeare described as “fortune’s fool.” Yet, while his emotions are writ large, his love for Juliet is delightfully tender in their moments of interaction.
Sisk’s depiction of Juliet is extremely versatile. She is a dutiful daughter to her parents, a teasing influence on her nurse, and immersed in her unexpected love story. One of the most exhilarating parts of the show is the scene in which she resolves to refuse Paris’ offer of marriage. The scene freezes while she expresses her desperation, grief, and resolve before returning to her place in the moment of extreme tension.
One of Prokofiev’s most-recognized works from this ballet is the music associated with the vengeful attitudes of the Montagues and Capulets and Tilton is the face of this hatred with a kind of strutting hostility. He brooks no challenge to his right for anger and dances with relentless intensity that recalls both his recent and menacing casting as Dracula and the villainous sorcerer Von Rothbart in the 2019 production of Swan Lake.
He is foiled by Hadriel Diniz as Romeo’s close friend Mercutio. Diniz eggs on Romeo’s romantic aspirations with good humor and pairs with Benvolio (Joshua Whitehead) in teasing Juliet’s nurse as she searches for her lady’s beloved. This puckish attitude even extends to his duel with Tybalt, where Diniz locks swords with his enemy at close range…just so he can tweak Tybalt’s nose. While his misfortune is a catalyst, his interpretation of Mercutio is perfect.
Whitehad’s Benvolio is entertaining as he is the middle ground between his two friends. Never as dramatic as Romeo nor as daring as Mercutio, Whitehead portrays great flexibility in his participation in his scenes.
Cavanaughhas the most demanding emotional journey as she plays a character with conflicts of interest. She encourages Juliet’s obedience to her parents, but also enables her secret marriage to Romeo. She is empathetic to Juliet’s despair, but still wishes for the best for the young woman she has cared for over many years. Cavanaugh does all of this while periodically expressing a lighter side with a flair for stolid mannerisms.
Last but not least of the main players is Jeff Rogers in his dual roles as the Duke and Friar Lawrence. He embraces the intolerance of the first in a way that makes him unrecognizable as the spiritual counselor to the two lovers. In both roles, he is commanding as a person who is left with very few choices.
The supporting cast also finds themselves in this situation. Lord and Lady Capulet (Adrian Fry and Emily Adams) are no more able to avert tragedy than their Montague counterparts (Alladson Barreto and Mackenzie Bartlett), yet fall prey to conflicts of their own making and the tensions within each house are as intriguing to watch as the story in which their children put such things.aside in the name of love. Veit is never the chosen suitor, but dances Paris with a sincerity and hope. Potter appears intermittently as Rosaline, but is winsome enough in those moments that Romeo’s previous infatuation with her is understood. Peri Lewis and Jack Sweeney play the true innocents of this piece as children of Verona who experience the consequences of this city-wide conflict and create one of the most heartbreaking moments of the first act.
Artistic Director Adam Sklute has once again masterminded a production with real vision and masterful attnetion to detail. The choreography by Michael Smuin is always appropriate to the tone and music as well as being exquisitely expressive. Daivd Heuvel‘s Costume Design is distinctive according to loyalties and social position as well as matching the various personalities. Scenic Designer William Pitkin transports the audience to Italian villas and chapels as well as the streets of a busy city, while the Lighting by Jim French skillfully sets mood and the passage of time. All of it is tied together by the orchestra under the direction of conductor Jared Oaks, who brings out the artistic expression of each musician.
The production is appropriate for ages 8 and up and patrons are advised that it includes depictions of suicide. Masks are required at all times inside the building.
The two star-crossed lovers will be at the Capitol Theatre until February 19 before taking their tale to Park City. Hurry to get tickets before this tale of woe closes on Juliet and her Romeo.
Ballet West Presents Romeo and Juliet; By Sergei Prokofiev, based on the play by William Shakespeare.
Capitol Theatre, 50 W 200 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Feb 11-19, 2021, 7:30 PM, Matinees at 2:00 PM.
Tickets: $15-94
Contact: (801) 355-2787
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