TrulyGrace

Nicolas Petrov's Romeo and Juliet

Last night (Friday) Nancy and I met up with Maureen and Carolyn to watch Nicolas Petrov's Romeo and Juliet, with music by Sergei Prokofiev at the Rockwell Theatre at the Pittsburgh Playhouse on Craft Avenue in Oakland.  It was presented by the Conservatory Dance Company.  It was a lovely, extremely engaging production of Shakespeare's story enlivened by the cast, which included Charlotte Ahlstrom as Juliet, Oscar Carrillo as Romeo, and Maggie Ellington as Juliet Capulet's nurse.

Juliet (Charlotte Ahlstrom) displayed not only litheness and musicality in her dance skill, but also a keen acting ability.  The interactions between Ms. Ahlstrom and her nurse, Maggie Ellington; as well as the chemistry between Ms. Ahlstrom and Mr. Carillo was notable.  The sword scenes/ fight scenes were superbly choreographed, and the acting ablilies of Will Geoghegan (Mercutio), Nick Fearon (Benvolio), and Tyler Malone (Tybalt) in these scenes were exemplary.

The supporting cast provided the necessary stage presence, and the gymnastic capability of various members of this contingent was applauded, as were the fouette turn sequences by various male members of the cast and company throughout the evening.

Maureen and Carolyn, former students of Point Park's dance program, said a fond hello during the first intermission to Nicolas, who attended the evening and was seated across the aisle from me, and I spoke briefly with him at the beginning of the second intermission.

This production was originally done for the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre in 1971,

posted by Grace @ 12/14/2013 04:07:00 PM