Since 1985, Kenneth MacMillan’s “Romeo and Juliet” has been as inevitable at American Ballet Theatre as death and taxes. Yet Monday’s show proved that this danced tale of Shakespeare’s doomed lovers hasn’t gone stale at all — with strong performers, it only deepens with time.
Diana Vishneva seems to have only gotten younger as Juliet, bursting onstage like a giddy young girl. And while Vishneva can be very calculating about her acting, here it all worked — from her paralyzed reaction to first seeing Romeo to her final moments in the tomb, dragging herself painfully to him, kissing her fingers and putting them to his lips.
If you were in her pointe shoes, you might do the same, because Marcelo Gomes is a Romeo to die for. He’s a strapping, healthy guy — a high school jock who falls for the prettiest girl at the prom. He’s also a brilliant partner, and the pair were even better together than apart.
Vishneva can hurl herself full tilt at Gomes, knowing that he’ll yank or spin her at just the right moment, and he lifted her airborne as if she were a dandelion seed. It was almost unnoticeable, as if she were supported by invisible strings. If you had to jump out a window, you’d want him underneath, to catch you.
By the final act, the two had worked up a huge head of steam. MacMillan keeps Juliet motionless on her bed while the music rushes around her like a wild current — and Vishneva knew exactly how to navigate that into a theatrical coup. Gomes’ great moment was his desperate anguish at Juliet’s tomb, dancing with what he thought was her lifeless body.
It helped that the two had strong backup. Victor Barbee adds detail and humanity to every character role, and his Lord Capulet is a sympathetic portrait of a man unable to abandon duty for love.
Sascha Radetsky’s Tybalt seemed more like a 21st-century dude than a 14th-century aristocrat, but it was still a compelling study in cowardice. He was only courageous when he had backup troops, and got himself stinking drunk to kill.
The troupe’s top women each get one performance in the run. Hee Seo and Xiomara Reyes dance the matinee and evening shows today. Just pick your favorite ballerina, and watch her die.