Peter Martins’ “Romeo + Juliet” premiered nearly eight years ago. In the interim, much has happened.
In 2007, Martins was criticized by many for casting his new production with young, relatively inexperienced dancers as the leads. To the contrary, I considered it an inspired, long overdue decision – in these particular roles, casting dancers who look age appropriate is critical for a successful, believable portrayal of the tragic couple. And Martins was proven right – Tiler Peck, and Sterling Hyltin, both soloists then, and Erica Pereira, not yet even a member of the corps, were excellent Juliets. Pereira in particular brought unmatched youthful innocence and vigor to the role without being too much the ballerina. The same holds true for the Romeos, all then members of the corps: Robert Fairchild (promoted to soloist in mid-run), Sean Suozzi, and Allen Peiffer. All added a degree of freshness and innocence that this production requires.
The torch has long since been passed. Hyltin, Peck, and Fairchild are now principals (Hyltin was promoted during the 2007 run), and among the finest ballet dancers in the world; Pereira and Suozzi are now highly accomplished soloists. And new soloists and corps dancers capable of dancing …show more content…
The point of this comic vignette of a scene should be to demonstrate that Juliet is beginning the physical and emotional development that will transform her from being a hyperactive pre-pubescent teenager who plays with dolls (or in this case, with her nurse), to being a hyperactive pubescent teenager beginning to mature both physically and emotionally. But Martins muddies the message. Indeed, it’s not clear whether Juliet recognizes that she’s beginning to develop physically, or happily observes that she hasn’t yet begun to develop at all. The scene is cute to watch, but it makes no thematic
In 2007, Martins was criticized by many for casting his new production with young, relatively inexperienced dancers as the leads. To the contrary, I considered it an inspired, long overdue decision – in these particular roles, casting dancers who look age appropriate is critical for a successful, believable portrayal of the tragic couple. And Martins was proven right – Tiler Peck, and Sterling Hyltin, both soloists then, and Erica Pereira, not yet even a member of the corps, were excellent Juliets. Pereira in particular brought unmatched youthful innocence and vigor to the role without being too much the ballerina. The same holds true for the Romeos, all then members of the corps: Robert Fairchild (promoted to soloist in mid-run), Sean Suozzi, and Allen Peiffer. All added a degree of freshness and innocence that this production requires.
The torch has long since been passed. Hyltin, Peck, and Fairchild are now principals (Hyltin was promoted during the 2007 run), and among the finest ballet dancers in the world; Pereira and Suozzi are now highly accomplished soloists. And new soloists and corps dancers capable of dancing …show more content…
The point of this comic vignette of a scene should be to demonstrate that Juliet is beginning the physical and emotional development that will transform her from being a hyperactive pre-pubescent teenager who plays with dolls (or in this case, with her nurse), to being a hyperactive pubescent teenager beginning to mature both physically and emotionally. But Martins muddies the message. Indeed, it’s not clear whether Juliet recognizes that she’s beginning to develop physically, or happily observes that she hasn’t yet begun to develop at all. The scene is cute to watch, but it makes no thematic