**** Recommended I’d heard of Chicago Repertory Ballet, but I’ve never seen anything of theirs, so I was delighted to get an invitation to see The Capulets at the Ruth Page Center. The Capulets is a fascinating riff on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, a story ballet focusing on Juliet’s parents. The choreography was sensual, evocative and athletic. The execution was flawless, especially the swordplay! 4 Spotlights
The Capulets was choreographed by Wade Schaaf, CPR founding Artistic Director, to a contemporary classical score by Matty Mattsson. I liked everything about the staging except the unnecessarily distracting projections designed by John Pobojewski. Since the story is about unfaithfulness and seduction, Nathan Rohrer’s costumes were mostly black and sexy while David Goodman-Edberg’s lighting was dark and moody.
Just a note – I found it very difficult to identify the characters. The very brief scene recaps in the program and my own knowledge of Shakespeare helped in figuring out the leads, but some of the other characters I never did identify.
A disembodied voice reads a prologue as scenes of Verona are screened at the rear of the stage, ending at the town square. Spotlights highlight individual dancers moving on and off stage. They gather in small groups on each side of the square while Mercutio (Nathaniel Urie) and Benvolio (Molly Gemerchak) engage in playful swordplay at least until Tybalt (Jackson Ferreira) turns it into a real battle only stopping when Prince Escalus (Phillip Ollenberg) intervenes.
At the Capulet party, Juliet (Tessa Castellano) dances with friends, at least until her parents arrive. When Paris (Skyler Newcom) arrives to court Juliet, Lord Capulet (Rosario Guillen) is a little too enthusiastic for Lady Capulet (Miriam-Rose LeDuc). Their confrontation leads to an angry yet passionate pas de trois. Later, Lady C indulges in a private pas de deux with Tybalt, and then an affair.
In Act II, Romeo (P.J. Spagnoletti) meets Juliet at the Capulets masked ball. They fall immediately in love – as young people often do! After Lord C stops Tybalt from threatening Romeo, Tybalt and Lady C. continue their affair in her bedroom. Meanwhile, in Lord Capulet’s bedroom, he and Paris begin their affair – another passionate pas de deux.
Back in the town square, the insouciant Mercutio and grim Tybalt cross swords in an incredibly complex scene. The sword fight choreography is amazing. Tybalt kills Mercutio, so Romeo kills him and runs away. Lady C is overcome by her lover’s death – at least until she learns she’s enceinte!
Other dancers: Rachel Schmidt as Roseline/Juliet; Haley Baker as Lucetta/Lady Capulet; Tessa Castellano as Juliet/Roseline; Sarah Price as Anna; and Jessica Larbig as Lucetta.
In the final scene, set ten years later in the country, everyone is wearing white as families celebrate peace. A troop of children dance together then embrace their parents. Unbelievably, the Capulets have reconciled, even embracing Tybalt’s child together.
The children’s cast dancers on November 7th, 8th and 9th: Bryn Alberts, Kathryn Barcy, Asha Hopman, Madilyn Mejia, Sofia Newsome, Emma Nollan, Lillian Theodore and Abigal Urban.
Chicago Repertory Ballet’s original ballet, The Capulets, runs through November 16th at the Ruth Page Centre for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street, Chicago. Metered street parking is available. Running time is one hour, 45 minutes, with an intermission. Remaining performances: Friday & Saturday, November 14th & 15th at 7:30 pm, Sunday, November 16th at 2:00 pm. Tickets range from $38-$68. Performances are www.crbdance.com.