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Inside the Costume Closet: 'Romeo & Juliet' at the Joffrey Ballet

By Jenny Berg

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Our new series Costume Closet takes you behind the scenes of Chicago's biggest stage productions.

  • Christine Rocas dances the role of Juliet.
  • The costumes are sewn up in a fabric-strewn studio at the Joffrey Tower. The building is in the Loop.
  • The costumes reflect different political eras in the 20th century. This simple dress, designed in pale blue satin, is Juliet's main costume.
  • The Capulet women wear this striking, black-and-white dress.
  • Matching the pale blue hue of Juliet's costume, Romeo wears a simple shirt and fitted grey pants.
  • Another member of the Capulet tribe wears this bold, yellow and red frock.
  • The Montague men wear red shirts and brown pants.
  • During rehearsals, the costumes hang on racks in the studio's hallway. They're labeled by dancers' last names.

Photos: Barry Brecheisen for Racked

It's nearly impossible not to get sucked into the beauty and romance of any Joffrey Ballet performance. But when the production is Romeo & Juliet? Consider us starry eyed. The classic love tale will play out in hops, twirls, and dramatic pas de deux at the Auditorium Theatre from April 30 to May 11, and we took a peek inside the costume closet. See what costume designer Tatyana van Walsum sewed up for Romeo, Juliet, and the Capulet and Montague clans below.

But first: find ticket info here. And if you want an elegant preview of the ballet, save the date for the company's Spring Gala on Friday.

· Romeo & Juliet at the Joffrey Ballet [Joffrey.org]
· All Joffrey Ballet posts [Racked Chicago]