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My attempt to see every production in ABT’s current season continued last night with Romeo and Juliet. I don’t think anyone needs me to regurgitate the plot so I’ll move on to what I thought about the production.

Julie Kent danced Juliet and she was, as expected, beautiful, charming and sublime. Roberto Bolle played Romeo. This was the first time I’ve had the chance to see him dance and I was more than impressed. His staggering talent are more than matched by his dreamy matinee idol good looks.

I want to also mention the terrific Russian soloist Gennadi Saveliev. Last night he danced Tybalt (and was great) but he has also danced several supporting roles in productions we’ve seen this season. This will be his final year with ABT and we’ll see him once again in the closing night production of Le Corsaire.

‘Fun’ isn’t usually the first adjective that comes to mind when describing Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare’s tale of star-crossed lovers has been the very definition of romantic tragedy since… well, since forever. But with the help of Romeo’s pals Mercutio and Benvolio, there is some comedy to be had. There’s also some really terrific fight choreography in acts I & II. Sword fights in Verona’s town square equals awesome!

Below is a clip of Kent and Bolle dancing the balcony pas de deux. It’s not from this particular production, but from a performance at Teatro alla Scalla.