Launching its 2016-2017 season with the return of “Romeo and Juliet”, the Joffrey Ballet presents the classic tale in a neoclassical ballet in three acts. Shakespeare’s contemporary version is set during the turmoil of the 20th century and is expertly performed from a number of different vantage points.
Set in the lavish and ornate Roosevelt University Theater Auditorium (50 E. Congress Pkwy.), the ballet opens against a multimedia backdrop depicting different political eras of hardship in 20th-century Italy that the performance encompasses. .
Act I is set in Italy during the rise of fascism in the 1930s. The opening scene illustrates the tensions between classes. Upper-class conservatives dance with harsh, precise movements countered by the free-flowing movements of dancers representing the lower-middle class. Here, and for most of the show, the dancers wear street clothes. At the opening of the show, the members of the company intertwine in front of the decor of a street in Italy, so when the combinations of synchronized and complex ballets begin, it is a pleasant surprise.
Tensions between classes seem most prevalent in this act, in part due to the contrast between the costumes of the dancers. Dancers representing the upper middle class wear tight black outfits, while dancers representing the lower class wear loose street clothes. As the classes have a dance, lower-class male dancers take center stage with an air of confidence and cynicism that bears comparison to the mood featured in Frankie Valli’s “Jersey Boys.”
Act II moves smoothly into the 1950s and the rise of the Red Brigade. At the height of political tensions, the back and forth love between Romeo and Juliet prevails. 1950s hoop skirts and classic cars set the tone. The dancers in the opening scene have great energy with impressive and seemingly effortless combinations, which create fast-paced and visually appealing scenes. Romeo and Juliet are woven among the madness, creating a cat-and-dog dynamic. Their romance doesn’t get too hot and heavy until the end of the performance.
The final act depicts the social divisions of the 1990s that culminate in the tragic fate of Romeo and Juliet. Real-life couple Dylan Gutierrez and Jeraldine Mendoza dance the lead roles of Romeo and Juliet with radiant chemistry expressed through movement. The final and most famous scene of Shakespeare’s masterpiece is told in a high-stakes manner. Although the audience already knew the fate of the lovers, those watching the performance reacted with gasps and attention before giving a standing ovation without hesitation when the curtain closed.
This modern take on a classic tale is told with the most professional forms of interpretation and ballet. The Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra accompanies the live show with a dark but beautifully vibrant score that suits the performance.
“Romeo & Juliet” runs until October 23. Tickets range from $34 to $174 and are available at the official Joffrey Ballet box office and the Auditorium Theater at Roosevelt University. For more information about the Joffrey Ballet and its programs and performance times, visit joffrey.org.
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