Last night ABT opened a week of Romeo and Juliet performances with Marcelo Gomes and Diana Vishneva in the leads. Quite frankly, Haglund was not feeling their love during most of Act I. Marcelo danced extremely well. Diana danced extremely well. They danced extremely well together. The corps and soloists danced extremely well. The brass in the orchestra launched a few wind biscuits that stunk things up for a minute or two. But even that wasn’t the problem. The problem was a cosmetic one. Marcelo in his light-grabbing robin egg blue SATIN shirt and over-pommed and lacquered hair looked like he had just mistakenly wandered in from McKenzie’s miserable Sleeping Beauty. Okay, okay, we get it - the leads are supposed to have the prettiest costumes that stand out the most. But Marcelo didn’t just stand out. He appeared out of place -- too princely, too mature, too much blue costume, too much lacquered hair. The audience could see it’s own reflection in that hair. Other ABT Romeos wear blue without appearing ostentatious or out of place. But it is a blue that is nicely coordinated with the materials and colors of the other costumes. ABT needs to fire its costume consultants, because they have been mucking things up for a few years now: Sleeping Beauty, Myrta and the popsicle peasant girls, and now Gomes's Romeo. Eventually when Marcelo changed costumes and his hair started to fall apart a little bit, the idea of him as Romeo started to become believable. He looked like he belonged with the other guys: Herman Cornejo as Mercutio was extraordinary in character and dance, just fantastic; Carlos Lopez as Benvolio held his own very, very well with Gomes and Cornejo. Gomes variations and partnering throughout the night were just incredible. He’s got such a strong prince thing going for him that Make-up and Wardrobe need to mess him up a little bit for Romeo. Romeo was neither angel nor prince of peace. The theater and drama of Act I were driven by Isaac Stappas as Tybalt. Isaac delivered a spectacular performance with details that drove home the idea that Tybalt wasn’t just mean, but he was a menacing bully who provoked for the sheer fun of it. A truly outstanding performance. McKenzie should show this guy a little more confidence with more dance-filled rolls so that he has a chance to incorporate his fabulous acting into something greater. Haglund’s #1 casting choice for Mayerling’s Crown Prince Rudolf is now a tie between Gomes and Stappas. Diana’s Juliet was flawless. There were no skewed or slightly missed arabesques or attitudes like the ones Alessandra Ferri used to turn into evidence of Juliet’s raw, nearly uncontrollable passion. There was no throwing herself at Romeo with the abandon and belief of Oh he’ll catch me no matter what I do the way Ferri did. There were no sensually arched feet that punctuated Juliet’s passion the way Ferri had. But Diana was flawless. She probably delivered the best performance of Juliet that we will see this season and for a long time, but it’s hard not to remember and cherish what we had with Ferri. Unfortunately for ABT’s ballerinas, Ferri is the gold standard in this role. Frederic Franklin as Friar Laurence received more than a little extra appreciation from the audience upon his entrance. While Haglund would like to sing Happy Birthday to him on Thursday, he doesn’t want to sit through the Growing Pains episode of Romeo and Juliet that evening - and risk missing Veronika Part on David Letterman. Veronika substituted for Stella Abrera as Lady Capulet. After a spectacular comeback PdT in Swan Lake, Stella went missing for Sylvia and now Romeo and Juliet. If this is a little setback, please don’t give up, Girl! Veronika captured the essence of Lady Capulet well, especially the hinted relationship with Tybalt. However, The #1 Lady Capulet of All Time, Georgina Parkinson, is always hoped for and expected in performances that include Mr. Franklin. Her hysteria over Tybalt’s dead body is so intense that it literally drives more people to the bar at intermission - thus, more money for The Arts. The corps did a splendid job. The Mandolin Guys - Grant DeLong, Kenneth Easter, Blaine Hoven, Luis Ribagorda, and Arron Scott - all held their own with Herman Cornejo’s lead. Very good job. Believe it or not, everyone's leg lines looked long in those pink tights. In summary, there wasn’t a lot to complain about with last night’s performance, but it wasn‘t lightning-bolt-to-the-chest electrical either. Haglund awards this Pump Bump for a very good performance that was just missing a little something: Copyright © 2009
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