I attended the Joffrey Ballet: Romeo and Juliet presented by the Joyce Theater Foundation in the David H. Koch Theater on March 31, 2017. Krzysztof Pastor, the choreographer, created this exhilarating and marvelous ballet performance with three remarkable acts set in the 20th century Italy and inspired by William Shakespeare's play. The tale was revealed over the evening in a gleaming and extraordinarily alluring story set in the 1930s, the 1950s, and the 1990s, with black and white and color film footage and an awe-inspiring orchestra. It introduced the themes of the enduring struggle between the star-crossed lovers. This performance promises the audience exciting, unforgettable, and breathtaking moments.
Upon arriving at the Lincoln Center, I walked around the enormous Promenade lobby with four rings balconies before the captivating dance performance began; I saw the tremendous crowd waiting inside the fascinating lobby of the theater with outstanding pieces of modern art, displaying the aspects of the ballet world. When I entered the Auditorium, I was amazed by the beautiful jewel-like lights and the spherical chandelier on the gold latticed ceiling. The room looked like the inside of a glamorous jewelry box with small sophisticated designs on each of the four main rings; the auditorium was magnificent. I felt like I was stepping into an extravagant and prosperous home with bright lights and a glorious ceiling.
The ballet performance started with the extremely pleasant music of Sergei Prokofiev performed by the Joffrey Ballet Orchestra featuring the members of the Chicago Philharmonic. Prokofiev's emotive music influenced the dancers to engage in their dancing. A white curtain then opened up to a surprising and extraordinary scene of black and white film footage with street scenes. The film footage complemented the ballet dancing in front of those dancers; tensions lifted at that exact same moment. The stage filled with professional dancers performing an entertaining dance with different dance moves. One of the first things I noticed was that the Montagues was dressed in white and the Capulets were dressed in black. The women dressed in black and white, or in light brown clothing, were dancing with one of their legs straight up with their pointed feet and the other leg straight with their hands up in the air. However, the men dressed in white, or brown, clothing were in the second position twisting from right to left with their hands above the waist. The black and white footage was replaced by mirrors. Also, the black attired Capulets were dancing with arms in the second position with one leg kicked behind them and the other leg bent on the side. Soon, the Capulets twisted as they jumped up in the air. Then, a couple of women came in and started dancing with them with one of their legs curled behind in the air and hands in the second position.
This dancing continued until Juliet, played by Christine Rocas, heavenly danced across the stage in a powder blue frock, in comparison with the simple black attire of the Capulets. Her outfit was reflected in her lover, Romeo, played by Rory Hohnstein, who also appeared in a powder blue costume, along with his two friends, Mercutio and Benvolio. Juliet's two beautiful friends, Amanda Assucena and Anastasia Holden, were lovely to watch as they performed a duet and a trio before Juliet’s first appearance with a significant encounter with Romeo at the upcoming ball. As Romeo and Juliet see each other for the first time, they have a deep and distinct attraction between them. They seek each other out where they can finally be alone together. Romeo and Juliet then performed an amazing evening pas de deux together. While Juliet danced with him, she moved in an arabesque position, where she was supported on one of her legs with her other leg directly extended behind her body with a straight knee and hands in the second position with her pointed feet. Also, Romeo spun her around as she performed a jeté, where she brushed one leg into the air, then the other leg pushed off the floor, jumped into the air, and landed on the first foot. She performed an arabesque again facing backward as he held her right hand. Yet, he was in the second position with one of his arms up in the air.
The performance then followed a change of scenery from night into a bright and sunny day. Even their clothing became brighter. The music became more dramatic as the dance movements continued. The women began to gather into a ritual evening dance where their hands were in the air like a v-shaped and one knee bent and one of the legs straight up in the air with pointed feet. Alongside, the men began to come in and jump up sideways on the left with their arms and knees bent in the second position until Romeo and his two friends come along and started performing an assemblé, which begins in the fifth position by jumping from one foot and landing on two feet. At some point, the bright and sunny day changed to dark striking geometric shapes. Afterward, Romeo was wandering around in love with Juliet and became happy when he received a message from Juliet's friends, specifying she will meet him with Friar Lawrence. Therefore, they were engaged in a secret wedding ceremony.
The next act began when a violence reaches its peak, the dark striking geometric shapes hang in the scenery were replaced by mirrors. As the shapes were replaced, Juliet was raised in the air for her balcony scene. After, the stage was bare until a stark white silk sheet falls downward from the ceiling surrounding Juliet's pure white fabric bed with a soft blue light. An intimate moment was created. Romeo and Juliet in light blue and white attire had just married and enjoyed a night together with a duet in her bedroom. They both danced with passion and despair not only with their bodies but also their faces. As Romeo laid on the floor facing the bed with one of his arms straight out to the side and palm facing down on the floor, and the other arm holding Juliet, she lifted one of her legs up in the air with her other arm touching the ankle of her pointed foot. Later, she laid in bed and he kissed her.
The Joffrey Ballet: Romeo and Juliet was an entertaining night full of admirable dances and wonderful music. Pastor's brilliant ballet performance seemed so breathtaking and miraculous to watch. I love how he presented the changing scenery, which blended into the music and the dance moves. Most of all, the orchestra was very talented with their instruments. My very first dance experience at Lincoln Center was spectacular and mind-blowing. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to my next dance performance.
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