New twist on a classic tale
“Juliet & Romeo’’ jazz production comes to Confederation Centre on Nov. 6
Confederation Centre of the Arts is presenting an original dance piece inspired by the classic Romeo and Juliet story on Wednesday, Nov. 6.
Decidedly Jazz Danceworks (DJD) presents “Juliet & Romeo’’, featuring a live jazz band and a company of eight professional jazz dancers.
This high-energy production starts at 7:30 p.m. in the Homburg Theatre and breathes new life into one of Shakespeare’s best-known works.
“For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo,’’ says the Prince in Act 5, Scene 3 of Romeo and Juliet. Set in Verona, this interpretation picks up with Juliet Capulet and Romeo Montague falling in love at first sight.
The relationship is doomed as the families are sworn enemies.
Kimberley Cooper, the show’s artistic director, says the staging is still recognizable but not in the traditional way.
“I find this story to be so seductive and, because it is so well-known, that gave us permission to dive into and invest different ways,’’ Cooper says. “My hope is that the audience will find delight in the twists and turns we took in the reimagining of this passionate and tragic tale.’’
Decidedly Jazz Danceworks (DJD) is one of the only companies worldwide with jazz dance and music as it raison d’etre. Performing both in its hometown of Calgary and on tour across Canada and beyond, DJD has produced more than 60 original works since its inception in 1984, many with live music.