An evening of raw emotion in a performance that is sure to enthrall

"An evening of raw emotion in a performance that is sure to enthrall"

PNB's Roméo et Juliette, delivers an evening of raw emotion in a performance that is sure to enthrall.

Choreographer Jean-Christophe Maillot brings to life the joys of young love and agony of loss. From the way Juliette (Kaori Nakamura) playfully kicks her feet as Romeo (James Moore) lifts her down from her balcony and their hesitant but passionate first kiss.

To the devastating grief of Lady Capulet ( Lindsi Dec), she is so overwhelmed by the loss of Tybalt (Batkhurel Bold) that one feels she might break herself in two.

The score by Sergei Prokofiev captures the thrill of the dancers’ movement. My favorite piece of trivia about the score is that Prokofiev has composed it in such a way that there is no time for applause between scenes, this detail means that the audience has no time to break from the reality that is being developed on stage, truly transporting you with the music.

The scenic design of Ernest Pignon-Ernest allows the audience to truly see the movement on stage without being distracted by the set, while the lighting design of Dominique Drillot truly captures and enhances the story that is unfolding before you.

PNB truly has a treasure in their production of Romeo et Juliette, capturing not only one’s eyes but one’s heart and soul as well.

The night ended on a high note when Pacific Northwest Ballet Artistic Director Peter Boal announced to the opening night audience that James Moore, a member of the company since 2004, has been promoted to principal dancer.

“It gives me great pleasure to announce a well-deserved promotion tonight,” he said.

“Fifteen years ago, a kid showed up in my ballet class in New York. He was kind of a diamond in the rough, but one could see some serious potential. His first job was for Pittsburg Ballet Theater, where he worked with Francia Russell on the role of Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

He came to PNB in 2004, but really grabbed the spotlight and started his fan club in 2005 as the guy called Mopey. We’ve watched him excel in works by Nacho Duato, Twyla Tharp, Marco Goecke, and William Forsythe, alongside triumphs in the roles of Puck, Franz, and the Prodigal Son, and let’s not forget his performance tonight, where Juliet wasn’t the only one to fall for this Romeo. Please join me in congratulating James Moore on his promotion to principal dancer.”

We too would like to congratulate James on this well deserved promotion.