NYCB's Romeo and Juliet on TV

photo by Paul Kolnik

Last weekend I saw both casts in the current run of Romeo and Juliet at NYCB. It was really fun to see the production again - it has been two years since it premiered in spring 2007.  I remember the excitement  (and the fair bit of controversy) over the new stream-lined production with its young lead dancers. The big success of those dancers was not just an anomaly - they have all been dancing up a storm in a big range of roles ever since. It was wonderful to see then again as those still very young and fresh Romeos and Juliets. Katie Morgan is so lovely and sweet with her handsome Romeo, Sean Suozzi, that my heart goes out to them to them entirely.  Sterling Hyltin is so impetuous with her passionate Romeo, Robbie Fairchild, that even if I understand how they got themselves into so much trouble, I cry for them at the end. 

It is exciting that the performance tonight is going to be on TV on public stations around the country for "Live from Lincoln Center".  In New York it will be showing on Channel 13 at 8pm, and repeating on Saturday May 23 at 1:30am, and Sunday May 24 at 12:15. Here is the link to find local times elsewhere. (For our relatives in Grand Rapids, Michigan, it is showing on Sunday May 24 at 9:30pm on channel 35 and you may be able to spot Lydia in the ballroom scene!)

The costumes are very colorful, set against the grey unit that changes from village square, bedroom, ballroom...and with foreboding the entire time, to the tomb at the end. Yellow against purple as you see in the picture above is just one example of how the full spectrum of colors are used to highlight and dramatize the action and emotions. Since I've always seen the show from up in the 4th ring, it is going to be fun to see it from a different perspective, from the eyes of the TV camera and I'm sure at times very close up on the dancers. I'm guessing it is all going to look fantastic! Sterling Hyltin will be Juliet, Robbie Fairchild, her Romeo. Watch for Daniel Ulbricht in purple as Mercutio, Antonio Carmena in blue as Benvolio, and Joaquin De Luz in yellow as Tybalt as they are all fantastic too. Tune in!

tags: romeo and juliet  

links: technorati