- Choreography: John Cranko
- Music: Sergei Prokofiev
February 15-26, 2006
2:00pm Shows:
18, 19, 25, 26
7:30pm Shows:
15, 17, 18, 24, 25
Running time: 2 hours 36 minutes
All the drama, passion and excitement of Shakespeare’s tragic love story are presented by the entire Joffrey Ballet company and 50 extras. This full evening ballet boasts lavish renaissance costumes and breathtaking sets.
John Cranko’s Romeo & Juliet is considered by many to be the premier ballet telling of Shakespeare’s classic tale of two young lovers from rival families. Set to the famed score by Serge Prokofiev, the ballet had its premiere in 1962 and garnered immediate success and recognition. The glorious costumes and sets designed by Jurgen Rose (best known for his opera and theater designs) elegantly move the action from the streets of Verona to Juliet’s bedroom. The ballet takes place in three emotionally powerful acts.
John Cranko is as one of the master choreographers of the 20th Century. His ballets, including The Taming of The Shrew, Onegin (Eugene Onegin), the Gilbert and Sullivan romp, Pineapple Poll, and his incomparable Romeo & Juliet, demonstrate his genius in storytelling through dance.
In 1984, The Joffrey Ballet became the first American company to present Cranko’s Romeo & Juliet. Robert Joffrey and Gerald Arpino always felt a great kinship for Cranko’s own Stuttgart Ballet, whose youthful energy and eclectic style were similar to The Joffrey’s. In response Cranko gave The Joffrey permission to do numerous works of his. To date, The Joffrey has the largest repertoire of ballets by Cranko in The United States.
All programming is subject to change.
Live music performed by The Chicago Sinfonietta.
