Romeo & Juliet

South Carolina Ballet presents the classic Romeo & Juliet. Accompanied live by the SC Philharmonic under the direction of Morihiko Nakahara at the Koger Center For The Arts on February 4th. From the opening notes of Prokofiev's famous score to the hauntingly beautiful choreography and the intricate costumes, William Starrett's _production digs deep into the depths of Shakespeare's tragedy.   Romeo & Juliet, based on William Shakespeare's 428-year-old play, did not enter the modern ballet repertory until the Kirov Theater commissioned a score from composer Sergei Prokofiev in 1936. Prokofiev's score was once considered too modern for ballet, it is now an enduring icon of 20th-century music, and the production is a cornerstone of the modern ballet classics.   South Carolina Ballet's Romeo & Juliet accompanied live by the SC Philharmonic tells the tale of two young lovers caught in the middle of their feuding families. Executive and Artistic Director William Starrett's production intertwines dramatic sword fights with exquisite love duets and comic interludes to create an evening that captures the tragedy and beauty of Shakespeare's masterpiece.   The South Carolina Philharmonic, under the direction of Morihiko Nakahara, will add a dimension to the performance by providing live accompaniment to the ballet. The orchestra will bring Prokofiev's powerful score to life, adding an extra layer of emotion to the already moving performance.   The State deemed this production as "perfect for the romantic at heart." Starring as the star-crossed lovers, Principal Claire Rapp will dance the role of Juliet for the first time in her career. Soloist Joshua Van Dyke debuts in the opposite lead role as Romeo.