Jan. 5th matinee of “Romeo + Juliet”

I’ve always felt that McMillan’s “Romeo and Juliet” was a bore. The ballet was only the balcony scene, and everything before and after was disposable. I know the masses of critics hate Martin’s “Romeo + Juliet,” but I am not one of them. Call me crazy.

At Saturday’s matinee performance, I saw an identical cast to the one I’d seen at their rehearsal on Friday afternoon. My opinions are also identical, so I doubt this post will be profound. I still love watching Sterling Hyltin dance. Robbie Fairchild as “Romeo” is soft, and Martin’s has made him the ballet’s pacifist though he is a Montague. (Update: Yes. I edited out my harsh comments. My opinion changed. It happens.)

Daniel Ulbricht is such an athlete. He soars despite his size, and his beats are so sharp and precise. I pat Martin’s on the back for giving “Mercutio” the same jester role he has in the play. The choreography illustrated this trait, as Mercutio was given turned in piroettes, jovial paddle turns and little shuffles and gyrations. I’m not sure how I feel about Amar Ramasar yet.

I’m impressed by the formations and choreography for the corpspieces in the ballroom scene, and the second act dance of the Montagues. Martin’s seemed to channel Balanchine–which is too jazzy to be historically accurate, but matches that sultry saxophone dominated music. I’d like to see much more Martin’s actually, just for the sake of comparison.