BWW Preview: ROMEO AND JULIET at New Jersey Performing Arts Center

The New Jersey Performing Arts Center will welcome to its stage what many consider the most passionate romantic tragedy ever told.

The State Ballet Theater of Russia is set to present Sergei Prokofiev's "Romeo and Juliet" on Sunday, Dec. 6 in a "modern, yet traditional" take on the love story, according to Igor Levin who was responsible for bringing the tour to the United States.

Arguably history's most well-known romantic and tragic story of star crossed lovers, "Romeo and Juliet" lends itself beautifully to the language and demanding physicality of ballet - from the dynamic and striking violence to the heart-wrenching pain of young love.

For 17 years, Levin, who is president and CEO of Hollywood Stars International Management, Inc., has been coordinating and organizing Russian ballet tours in the states to great success.

Levin spends almost half the year preparing all aspects necessary to bring to the states a full production ballet company.

"When the company finishes a tour in February, I start on a new one right away - around mid-February," he said, adding that the lengthy process includes choosing amongst a number of ballet companies, organizing the costumes and sets, bringing all necessary items over to the states, scheduling, booking travel and hotel arrangements, as well as obtaining visas for all the dancers and workers associated with the ballet company.

One of the frequent venues Levin likes to set up as part of the tours he organizes is NJPAC - mostly due to the welcoming nature of all who work there.

"They are great," Levin said. "They are willing to work with those from another country and are very accommodating and very friendly. I always enjoy working with them."

Not only are the people a main factor as to why Levin chooses NJPAC as a stop to the ballet tours, but the venue is also a selling point.

"[NJPAC] has a great stage," he said. "It really is a beautiful theater. Shows always come out looking nice in that space."

In this production, which is danced by 55 superb dancers, the captivating story involving the family-feud of the Montagues and Capulets is brought to life thanks to the talent of the acclaimed Bolshoi Theatre Ballet Choreographer Mikhail Lavrovsky who is also the show's producer.

Lavrosky is keeping a family tradition of being involved in, not only, the world of not only choreography, but in "Romeo and Juliet" productions as his father, Leonid, was responsible for choreographing the first full version of Prokofiev's acclaimed ballet, according to Levin.

"There is family history, but this production is much more modern," Levin said alluding to the choreography. "It is modern, but it is rooted in the basics of traditional ballet."

This version of "Romeo and Juliet" features set and costume designs by Yury Samodurov. Natalia Gubanova and Polina Tokareva portray Juliet, whereas Alexey Gerasimov and Evgeny Kuchvar portray Romeo.

The State Ballet Theatre of Russia was founded by Maya Plisetskaya, a legendary dancer and former principal dancer of The Bolshoi Theatre Ballet.

Tickets for "Romeo and Juliet" at NJPAC are $29 to $79 and can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-888-GO-NJPAC.

Photo courtesy of Igor Levin