Louisville Ballet Stages ROMEO & JULIET at The Kentucky Center, 3/1-2

The Louisville Ballet brings to stage the timeless tale of Shakespeare's two young star-crossed lovers torn apart by a bitter feud in Romeo & Juliet. This rich adaptation of one of the most famous of romantic ballets comes to life in a beautiful and powerful rendition of the world's best-known love story. The production features music by Sergei Prokofiev and choreography by Alun Jones. It will be performed tonight, March 1 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, March 2 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. in The Kentucky Center's Whitney Hall.

For tickets, visit in person at The Kentucky Center, call (502) 584-7777 or go online at www.kentuckycenter.org.

The tragic tale of young Romeo and Juliet has enthralled audiences for centuries. Set to the powerful score by composer Sergei Prokofiev, Romeo& Juliet is considered to be one of the most enduringly popular ballets. This production features choreography by former Artistic Director Alun Jones that moves with dramatic integrity and beautiful storytelling. It is staged with the assistance of Louisville Ballet former Principal Dancer and Co-Artistic Director Helen Starr with fight choreography by Dale Brannon. Jones' Romeo& Juliet was first premiered by the Company in April 1985 and last produced by the Louisville Ballet in September 200.

In addition to the 24 Company members and 13 trainees, more than 40 men, women and children from the community will join our dancers on stage. Many appeared in the 2002 production and have enjoyed a long history with the Ballet. We are also excited to welcome the children of Company members Emily Reinking O'Dell and Natalia Ashikhmina & Phillip Velinov to their debut performances with the Louisville Ballet.

About Alun Jones: During his 24 year tenure as Artistic Director, Alun Jones' repertoire consisted of 78 world premieres and 65 Louisville premieres, eleven of these were full-length ballets. His ballets have been performed in 24 states, as well as Bermuda, England, Portugal, Spain, India, South Africa, Hong Kong and Japan. Jones received the Milner Award, Kentucky's highest award in the arts, in 1998.

SOURCE: Louisville Culture Vulture