When Sacramento Ballet purchased the scenery and costumes for Romeo & Juliet in 2010, we were delighted to learn that we would receive not only the beautiful original costumes designed by William Pitkin in 1976, which we had used in 3 previous productions, but also new gowns, tunics, robes and much more from David Huevel, the resident designer at Ballet West. Having seen the amazing work created by that company when we utilized Ballet West's Sleeping Beauty in 2008, we knew that great things awaited.
Once the 22 boxes arrived - let me stop right there. That's TWENTY-TWO boxes, each carefully packed and labeled. Upon inventorying, we knew that the next step would be marrying the two sets of costumes to best fit Ron Cunningham's artistic vision. For example, Mr. Huevel created amazing Elizabethan gowns and tunics for the Capulet Ball, but it became apparent that the original costumes better suited the dramatic choreography. The new costume for the Prince of Verona? A perfect match for the character: regal, imposing, dramatic.
Slowly, between Ron, Carinne and our tireless (and endlessly talented) wardrobe department - Theresa Kimbrough and LeeAnne Larsen, the show began to take shape.
Alex, one of the gorgeous Juliets, is fitted for her nightgown.
Brik, demonstrating that sometimes alterations are required.
We immediately put one of the beautiful new gowns to use.
So many options, we have to use one of the studios just to keep track!
Costumes are assigned for the male guests at the Ball.
The women of Sacramento Ballet.
If you want to see everything onstage, and try and guess which beautiful gowns and tunics have come from the minds of two amazingly talented designers, you'll have 4 chances this Valentine's Day weekend!
(A sidenote: I borrowed the title from another brilliant Shakespeare play - Much Ado About Nothing, since the two lovers in our story were just a little bit too preoccupied to talk about the latest styles of the time!)
-Caitlin
No comments:
Post a Comment