Rage, passion, confrontation, betrayal, longing, death and young love are just a few of the compelling elements of this classic Shakespearean love story that has fascinated generations.

Having made its world premiere almost 30 years ago and set in Verona, The Boston Ballet evokes playfulness, blossoming love, visceral rage and shattering tragedy into Jean-Christophe Maillot’s Roméo et Juliette step by step while delivering new insight to this star-crossed tale. 

With captivating staging by Noelani Pantastico, evocatively choreographed by Jean-Christophe Maillot and embellished by Sergei Prokofiev’s lush, triumphant and striking rhythms, Boston Ballet concludes its current season with Jean-Christophe Maillot’s Roméo et Juliette live and in person at Citizens Opera House in Boston, Massachusetts through Sunday, June 8.  This powerful production runs 2 hours and 15 minutes including a 20-minute intermission.  It may be helpful to read the summary inside the program for deeper insight into this aesthetic tale.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

Dominique Drillot infuses contemporary cinematic elements into this production through a translucent and multitasking hazy screen which unveils the production’s opening credits featuring a cast of characters alongside a white building symbolizing the Montague and Capulet Houses. Drillot’s meticulous lighting ranges from isolated streams to haunting fragments in foreboding and suspenseful tones. 

Jean-Christophe Maillot’s Roméo et Juliette is brought to life with pristine white sliding backdrops and a transforming corridor by scenic and costume designer Ernest Pignon-Ernest makes way for the bold, flowing and Italian Renaissance-inspired costumes in velvets, silks, gold lame and sophisticated masks with a contemporary edge.   

This well paced production runs the gamut of emotions right from the start immediately illustrating both conflict and love in every form including naïve, unscathed, willful, endless and true love delivered by Seo Hye Han as Juliette and Sangmin Lee as Roméo .  Jean-Christophe Maillot’s Roméo et Juliette focuses on two clans at war between the Capulets and the Montagues.  When Sangmin Lee as Roméo Montague sets his eyes on Seo Hye Han as Juliet Capulet, it is love at first sight.  Then things take an unforeseen turn.

Having seen Shakespeare done in various capacities, this ballet interpretation of this dramatic tale is raw, playful and at times spellbinding.  One does not have to be a Shakespeare fan or know Shakespeare to comprehend this production’s nuanced interpretation.  It depicts playful camaraderie within the Montague clan through improvisation and sweeping movements as well as the turmoil, tension, and sheer rage between houses through fight choreography led by Capulet leader Lasha Khozashvili as threatening and tempestuous Tybalt.  Khozashvili is an imposing, mocking and antagonizing figure whose charisma will immediately draw you in much to the dismay of Patrick Yocum in a larger role as Friar Laurence.  Huddled in a corner or slicing the air in angular and fluttering movements and faltering gestures, Friar empathetically feels the anguish and stinging torment of adolescence and uncontrolled emotions grappling with two acolytes portrayed by forceful bookends Gearóid Solan and Sam Stampleman as well as the violence just beyond his reach brewing between these two houses.

Classic and contemporary dance blend together at times delivered in freeze frame and slow motion during celebration and tense moments.  The women are strong, confident and glamorous and the men are often instigators when they are not at play. The production boasts some warm and comical moments and an underlying flirtatious tone through teasing and seemingly improvisational gestures. 

Viktorina Kapitonova grandiosely depicts Juliette’s life of the party mom Lady Capulet, but Lady Capulet is much more than she seems in a memorably harrowing scene taking place later in the production.   Daniel R. Durrett is another standout as Mercutio.  Durrett is teasing and playful with dark undertones as Roméo’s best friend and shares some mischievousness with Ángel García Molinero as handsome and earnest Benvolio.  

The playful intimacy between Han and Lee blossoms and intensifies as the production progresses.  Passionate Roméo and virtuous Juliette not only share some amorous love scenes, but genuine humor in their mutual admiration.  The way they intertwine and their mirrored movements shift as one, reflecting their delightful chemistry. The pas de deux during the innovative and iconic balcony scene is joyful and resplendent as they tumble and frolic.  When Roméo takes his hand away and Juliette takes it back, it is teasing but also illustrates an irresistible force bringing them together. 

In layered garments, Alexis Workowski gives a compassionate performance as Nurse who shares such a lovely and impish rapport with Seo Hye Han’s Juliette.  Workowski is protective and more maternal than Juliette’s own mother and it is moving to witness her unwavering belief in Roméo and Juliette’s love despite their names and backgrounds.  It is a belief that could prevent a lot of suffering onstage and off.

Featuring a spirited and charismatic cast, parting is such sweet sorrow as Boston Ballet presents Jean-Christophe Maillot’s Roméo et Juliette in three acts live and in person through Sunday, June 8 at Citizens Opera House in Boston, Massachusetts.  Click here for more information and for tickets.