REVIEW: Star-Crossed Lovers, and Other Dancers

Desire, death, and pas de deux—oh my! May 6th-8th found City Ballet of San Diego tearing up the Spreckels Theatre stage with their production of Romeo and Juliet. Featuring death-defying leaps, stunning sword fights, and a tragic love, City Ballet’s Romeo and Juliet was a memorable production that shows what a first-rate ballet company San Diego has in its midst.

William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is a classic tale of star-crossed love. Two warring families—the Capulets and the Montagues—are engaged in a bitter and deadly struggle, but that doesn’t stop young Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet from falling tragically in love. First published in 1597, Romeo and Juliet has been adapted numerous times over the years into a variety of different mediums. Danced to a score composed by Sergei Prokofiev at the Spreckels Theatre downtown, City Ballet’s adaptation offers a graceful look at the timeless play.

Starring principal dancer Ariana Gonzalez as Juliet and Derek Lauer as Romeo, City Ballet captured the naive and innocent love of two people pulled apart by their family’s games. Lauer was a romantic and strong Romeo, giving the classic lead a dreamy quality that compounded the deeper in love with Juliet he fell. Gonzalez brought a wistfulness to Juliet, one that shone like the very stars that lit the set during the infamous balcony scene. Gonzalez displayed strong lines and gorgeous feet throughout the production, exuding grace and control until the bitter end in a truly masterful performance. The pas de deux between Lauer and Gonzalez featured effortless lifts and graceful arabesques—the couple’s partnership was strong and their chemistry was off the charts.

What separates Romeo and Juliet from City Ballet’s other productions were the magnificent fight scenes. Choreographed by dancer Geoff Gonzalez, the sword fight scenes featured intricate movements, beautiful jumps and turns, and graceful—if violent—swordsmanship. Gonzalez himself partook in the most pivotal fight scene in the production, playing Tybalt, the nephew of Lady Capulet. 

Standing apart from the crowd were the three harlots, the girls in Verona who were perhaps a little two enamored with the Montague boys. Danced by Erica Alvarado, Katie Spagnoletti, and Karin Yamada, the three girls generated a playful, sultry energy that differentiated them from the softer Capulet women.

City Ballet’s production of Romeo and Juliet offered a well-acted dramatization of Shakespeare’s most popular narrative. Though the third act focused almost too heavily on the acting aspect of the show, the City Ballet dancers all rose to the occasion and gave believable, beautiful performances. Kimberly Roberts gave a strong, dramatic performance as Lady Capulet, while Lester Ramos captured the cheeky innocence of Romeo’s friend Benvolio. 

Acting as the lovable scoundrel Mercutio, Ryosuke Ogura stole the show. Ogura provided a levity and an almost obnoxious charm to his every scene. He was a superb actor in this dramatic show, but that’s nothing compared to his dancing. Ogura wowed the audience with jumps that defied gravity and perfectly centered turns that seemed to never end. Ogura’s timing was flawless and his movements were crisp and clean. Mercutio’s Act II death was almost the real tragedy of the night because it meant an end to his charismatic and skilled performance.

Romeo and Juliet closed out the 23rd season for City Ballet of San Diego. Choreographed by Elizabeth Wistrich, City Ballet last performed Romeo and Juliet in 2012. Wistrich’s trademark syncopated and complex choreography dominated the stage, as always. The choreography featured clever callbacks to Shakespeare’s original text littered throughout. The lavish costumes and romantic sets for this version of the performance were provided by William Pitkin and David Heuval, courtesy of Sacramento Ballet. 

City Ballet danced alongside music from The City Ballet Orchestra, led by conductor John Nettles. The orchestra performed an impeccable reproduction of Sergei Prokofiev’s original music that paired seamlessly with the City Ballet dancers.

Romeo and Juliet offered a fun, if at times dramatic, look at Shakespeare’s classic star-crossed tale. A beautiful end to their 23rd season, patrons of the arts can only wait on the edge of their seats for City Ballet’s upcoming 24th season. For more information about their 2016-2017 season, as well as information about their upcoming June 5th fundraiser, visit City Ballet.