Dance renders words in Joffrey's soaring production of Romeo and Juliet

Mounted as part of this year’s citywide celebration of the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare, Joffrey Ballet's production of Romeo and Juliet which premiered last week in Chicago is a remarkable reminder that dance and music are languages with the power to move the human heart in ways that reach well beyond iambic pentameter.

Krzysztof Pastor's "exquisitely gestural choreography" combined with Tatyana Van Walsum’s "dynamic multimedia set" featuring black-and-white archival film of Italy at various times during the 20th century, make this ballet version of the play have a rhythm all their own. The production takes a "different and innovative" approach to Shakespeare’s play as dramatic footage and images on video encourage audiences to question the world in which we live while drawing them into this beautiful and tragic story danced with "breathtaking brilliance".

Performances continue through Sunday. Click here for more information.