BWW Review ABT Transcends Technique with the Power of Love

"Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight! For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night." - William Shakespeare

As the undeniable standard of beauty and romance, Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet means something different to everyone. Whether you first read it in school or watched one of the many film versions, the Bard's most prevailing work never fails to inspire unimaginable longing. And on the night of June 13th, 2018, American Ballet Theatre brought this classic story to the stage, taking the audience on a complete sensorial journey of love and loss.

In the title role of Romeo, David Hallberg was perfection. Blessed with a tall, statuesque physique, Hallberg is the textbook definition of "princely". And while this casting could feel like an expected choice, it is Hallberg's phenomenal command of classical technique that makes his dancing feel spontaneous and exciting. Flanked by his two best mates (Calvin Royal III as Benvolio and Jeffrey Cirio as Mercutio), Hallberg's evolution from mischievous boy to passionate man was performed masterfully; his grand jetés transitioning from buoyantly carefree to quiet and yearning. The trio, though completely different in physicality, complemented one another beautifully; Royal is a powerhouse, a dancer that excites with dramatic leaps, while Cirio's dynamism is unmatched.

And while the audience could get swept away with the opulent costumes and the lush scenery of fair Verona, true beauty first appeared when Isabella Boylston's Juliet stepped on stage. Known for her lyrical, supple movement quality, Boylston was the perfect fit to portray Juliet. Dancing as if suspended by delicate strings, she hovered over the stage with easy command, bourréeing and extending her limbs with impossible grace. As Romeo and Juliet finally came together, the two expressed every impulse and longing with ease, their arched limbs mingling to create fluid waves of rhythm and harmony.

Though I usually fall most for the pivotal balcony scene pas de deux, this night was different, for Hallberg and Boylston's portrayal of the dramatic death scene infused new energy into the choreography. As Romeo attempted, with a fiery urgency, to save his beloved, the pair's chemistry remained palpable and unwavering, even as their bodies took turns transitioning to limp and lifeless.

It wasn't only powerful, but once again reiterated the strength of these dancers to transcend physical movement and make audiences feel every possible emotion in the human spectrum. Bravi to the entire company!

Photo Credits: Gene Schiavone & Hidemi Seto

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