ROMEO & JULIET

 

Young Lovers out of control. Jill Eathorne Bahr’s acclaimed interpretation of Shakespeare’s most revered romantic tragedy brings weighty dramatic roles and impassioned classical dancing to this intensely theatrical experience. Utilizing the famous Prokofiev score, the most dynamic ballet score of the 20thcentury, Romeo and Juliet remind its audiences of love as only youth know it –consuming, reckless and world forgetting. Bahr returned to Shakespeare for character and story development. Realizing that dance and acting do not share the same potentials for expression she nonetheless hoped to develop a greater emotional connection between the characters. Bahr has sought to define the dynamics in the Capulet household. She has highlighted the relationship between Lady Capulet and Tybalt (If there is to be such a drama over Tybalt’s death then Lady Capulet’s feelings toward him must be evident beforehand. Lord Capulet is older than she, more flamboyant, and less driven in his anger than Tybalt. Juliet has obvious emotional growth from youth to womanhood. Bahr also set up a warm relationship between Lord Capulet and Juliet so that his outrage at Juliet’s defiance later in the story is strengthened. When Juliet is found dead, it is Lord Capulet who feels the grief the most. Resident Choreographer Jill Eathorne Bahr comments: More than any other ballet, I love Romeo and Juliet. Ballerinas crave to show that naked emotion and the men the passion of the fights. and the tenderness of the love. THE touchstone of a good ballet company is whether it has a good Romeo & Juliet. Both Juliet and Romeo have to be ready to go for broke.

 

WORLD PREMIERE

1992