Carolina Ballet’s “Romeo and Juliet”

Lara O’Brien is as light as a feather in her moving performance of Juliet in Carolina Ballet’s Romeo and Juliet, which opened tonight in Raleigh and runs through March 30. Juliet’s behavior transforms from that of a frivolous juvenile with a new dress to an angst-ridden love sick teenager, and O’Brien’s acting skills match her superb dancing.

Marcelo Martinez as Romeo has a confidence and ease of movement that would charm even the most self-possessed. Martinez’s refinement makes Romeo’s hot-headed reactions seem almost sensible.

And there is nothing juvenile about the pas de deux of Juliet and Romeo. The couple’s sensual languor-of-love dances are the highlight of the show.

Pablo Javier Perez is energetic and playful as Mercutio. He masterfully blends comedy and tragedy when he repeatedly postpones his last breath…

with Alicia Fabry and Lindsay Purrington as Gypsy Street Dancers,

Fight scenes are exciting and plentiful. It looks and sounds like the swords are real! Tybalt, danced by Eugene C. Barnes, III, is watchful and intimidating.

Here he is with Yevgeny Shlapko as Benvolio

The fight scenes between Tybalt and Mercutio and Tybalt and Romeo are especially savage.

I hope I won’t be giving anything away by saying the ending is dramatic.

For ticket and showtime information visit: http://www.carolinaballet.com/program/romeo-and-juliet