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Richmond Ballet dancers Valerie Tellmann-Henning as Juliet and Kirk Henning as Romeo in rehearsal for the balcony scene from "Romeo & Juliet" (Photo by Sarah Ferguson, courtesy Richmond Ballet)
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Richmond Ballet dancers in rehearsal for Act I Scene I from "Romeo & Juliet" (Photo by Sarah Ferguson, courtesy Richmond Ballet)
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Richmond Ballet dancers Valerie Tellmann-Henning as Juliet and Kirk Henning as Romeo in rehearsal for the balcony scene from "Romeo & Juliet" (Photo by Sarah Ferguson, courtesy Richmond Ballet)
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(left to right) Russell P. Allen, Virginia Opera's President & CEO; Allan Reynolds, Virginia Opera's Statewide Board Chair; Stoner Winslett, Richmond Ballet's Artistic Director; Brett D. Bonda, Richmond Ballet's Managing Director (Photo by Sarah Ferguson, courtesy Richmond Ballet)
It turns out that RVA loves R&J (Romeo & Juliet). In a special preview performance last week at the Richmond Ballet, 407 E. Canal St., special guests and press were treated to not only a preview of the ballet’s performance of the famous Shakespeare tragedy, but also a vocal exhibition from the Virginia Opera. Both organizations will be putting on their own versions of Romeo & Juliet that will run back-to-back for the RVA Loves R&J Festival. Taking place Feb. 12 to 21, the festival is a partnership between both organizations and the Virginia Wine Expo in celebration of the opera, ballet, Shakespeare and wine. The festival is part of the Virginia Shakespeare Initiative, a yearlong statewide celebration of the playwright in commemoration of the 400th anniversary of his death in April 1616.
It’s no coincidence that the Richmond Ballet will be performing what is considered to be one of the greatest love stories ever told Feb. 12 to 14, Valentine’s weekend. It’s also fitting that Kirk Henning and Valerie Tellmann-Henning will be playing Romeo and Juliet; the couple married in July 2015. Both roles are reprisals for the pair, but it is the first time they will be performing them together. Their chemistry was apparent as they effortlessly glided across the floor in a preview of “The Balcony Scene.” The pair says the fact that they are a couple in real life helps, but at the same time it is also more difficult, as “The Balcony Scene” closes with the first kiss Romeo and Juliet share. “Juliet was 13 years old and she had never been kissed before, so I have to capture that feeling of what it’s like to experience your first kiss … for me it’s a big mental game,” says Tellmann-Henning. She says that the experience is usually very awkward so she has to engage her acting skills in order to keep the audience engaged and believing this is the first time the pair has locked lips. Given the resounding applause after the performance, it’s apparent that the small gathering of attendees enjoyed what they saw.
The Virginia Opera also previewed three excerpts from their performances.
Virginia Opera Soprano Danielle Messina as Juliet and Tenor Kyle Tomlin as Romeo perform the "First Meeting of the Lovers" from "Romeo & Juliet" (Photo by Sarah Ferguson, courtesy Richmond Ballet)
Understudies Kyle Tomlin and Danielle Messina seamlessly blended their voices together as they sang the roles of Romeo and Juliet (Jonathan Boyd and Marie-Eve Munger will play the roles during the public performances.) The Virginia Opera’s performances will run Feb. 19 to 21. Shelby Rhoades, the opera’s principal coach, says of the RVA Loves R&J Festival, “To be participating in this particular collaboration and to have all these artistic events occurring together and knowing that these people are investing their interests, it’s so rewarding.”
That’s a sentiment that the Richmond Ballet’s artistic director, Stoner Winslett, mirrors. She says she has asked herself why this particular story has stood the test of time and remained so popular. “Even today there’s such senseless hatred between groups that don’t realize why they started hating to begin with and the impact of that on the community,” she says. “I think [the story] really does speak to all of us and what better way to have it told than through the beauty of dance.”
The Richmond Ballet performances will be held at the Carpenter Theatre from Feb. 12 to 14. Tickets are $20 to $125. For more information call 344-0906 or visit richmondballet.com.
The Virginia Opera performances will be held at the Carpenter Theatre from Feb. 19 to 21. Tickets are $19 to $109. For more information call 866-673-7282 or visit vaopera.org.
The Virginia Wine Expo will be held Feb. 17 to 21 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center and other local venues. Ticket prices vary based on the event. For more information call 349-6909 or visit virginiawineexpo.com.
