Hailed by The New York Times as “wonderfully imposing” and possessing the “most powerful blend of acting and dancing,” the Tchaikovsky Ballet and Orchestra will bring a full production of the timeless Shakespeare classic, Romeo and Juliet, composed by Sergei Prokofiev, to the Cascade Theatre stage. With its roots extending back as far as 1870, the Tchaikovsky Ballet and Orchestra, located in Perm, is one of Russia's most distinguished artistic companies and is widely considered to be Russia's third most prominent ballet company, behind the Bolshoi and Kirov Ballets. The company tours with a full orchestra and 70 dancers, including one "People's Artist of Russia" and three "Honored Artists of Russia."

Based on Shakespeare’s powerful drama of forbidden love, the ballet tells the story of two lovers whose families are locked in a vicious feud. Despite the tragic ending, humanity’s petty concerns and arbitrary differences are transformed in the light of their undying love and eternal sacrifice. Considered one of the greatest ballets of the twentieth century, Romeo and Juliet is the longest ballet Prokofiev wrote and the most intensely dramatic.  The score is expressive, full of emotional sound and dynamic contrasts.

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"One of the year's indispensable ballet experiences." -- Los Angeles Times