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Romeo & Juliet Closes Ballet Season

Updated: Tuesday, April 3 2012, 08:17 AM CDT
By Rob Faubion, Austin On Stage - www.austinonstage.com

Ballet Austin closes its 2011-12 Season with the timeless classic Romeo and Juliet, running Mother's Day Weekend at The Long Center.  Featuring original choreography by Artistic Director Stephen Mills, the production plays three shows from May 11 through 13.
    
With live musical accompaniment by Austin Symphony Orchestra performing the score by Sergei Prokofiev, Ballet Austin’s Romeo and Juliet includes a passionate pas-de-deux, dramatic sword fights, elegant ball scenes and elaborate sets - featuring an Italianate tapestry of stained-glass colors - that set the stage for the star-crossed lovers’ journey.  This version of Shakespeare’s familiar tale receives a breath of fresh air through Mills’ critically-acclaimed, complex choreography. 
   
“The ballet focuses on Romeo and Juliet’s purity of love - so pure," Mills said.  "They saw past the struggle of their families.”
    
Ballet Austin will host a "Family Dance Workshop" on Sunday, April 29, from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the company's downtown AustinVentures Studio Theater, located at 501 W. 3rd Street.  The afternoon will include excerpts from Ballet Austin’s Romeo and Juliet, and young dancers can create their own choreography with the help of Ballet Austin dancers.
    
On Thursday, May 3, the up-close, personal, and informal "Studio Spotlight" series will offer guests a behind-the-scenes look at the choreography and elements from the ballet production.  The free one-hour event will be held at noon and again at 6 p.m. at the downtown AustinVentures Studio Theater.
    
Performances of Romeo and Juliet will be May 11 and 12 at 8 p.m., and May 13 at 2 p.m.  Tickets range from $15 to $74.  A pre-show lecture and Q&A for all ages will be offered one hour prior to all performances.
    
The Long Center is located at 701 West Riverside Drive, on the corner of Riverside and South First.  For more information and reservations, call (512) 476-2163 or visit www.BalletAustin.org.

(Photo courtesy Ballet Austin)
Romeo & Juliet Closes Ballet Season