Sunday, April 23, 2017

Day 210 Pittsburgh Ballet-Romeo and Juliet- Grand Romance/Love


I have enjoyed dance performances before (see Day 90) and I have seen several ballets but not the tragic love story of Romeo and Juliet.  My blog inspiration, Everything I Need to Know I Learned From a Little Golden Book, reminds us to “be romantic”.  As this season comes to close, I was excited to experience the romance and passion of this first time Pittsburgh Ballet production of Romeo and Juliet.

Reflection                                                           
We all know  Shakespeare's story of the two young lovers who would rather end their life than live without each other but this production was so grand. It had 13 scene changes in 3 acts. The sets were magnificent with an elaborate market square, a stone castle home, a garden with the famous balcony, floor to ceiling stained glass in the chapel, beautiful arches in Juliet’s bedroom, and finally, a crypt. An ornate tapestry- like 7 paneled curtain, which  rose and fell  in sections between each scene, directed the audience's  focus on the character(s) by the pattern used.  It looked just like a painting each time!


The costumes left a lasting impression. I was particularly awestruck by the vivid red velvet costumes of the guests at the masked ball  in Scene III. 

Capulet Crypt 

Having the live PBT Orchestra increased the passion of the entire ballet and entertained during the scene changes. There was so much action in this ballet with several choreographed danced fencing fights and the busy movement in the market square scenes but it all halted when Romeo and Juliet met  at the masked ball. They stood still, fixed on each other, captivated.  I thought, I want to  feel that (love at first sight) way some day!

The love story of Romeo and Juliet, with the artistic direction of Terrence S. Orr, and the dance interpretation of the Pittsburgh Ballet under the direction of Derek Deane, came alive like no other version that I have ever seen! I felt Romeo’s agony when he finds Juliet laid to rest in the crypt (she drank a potion that put her in a deep sleep, mimicking death).  The ballet in the crypt scene was amazing as  a  limp “dead Juliet” was lifted and twirled until Romeo's painful  grief reached a crescendo, resulting in his self-affliction.  

This Pittsburgh Ballet  impressive production was a  perfect finale to the season (April 21-23, 2017). I would definitely keep the ballet in my survival tool box. I can’t wait for the Pittsburgh Ballet 2017-2018 season that opens with Dracula!

Other source
Romeo and Juliet at www.pbt.org,