Millepied's 'Romeo and Juliet Suite' Blends Dance and Film

The choreographer's condensed version of the classic ballet comes to the Park Avenue Armory.

Published on Mar. 3, 2026

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Benjamin Millepied's 'Romeo and Juliet Suite' at the Park Avenue Armory features alternating casts of two women, two men, or a man and a woman as the title pair. The condensed 80-minute work blends live dance performance with filmed segments, as the camera follows the characters through the historic Armory building. While the inclusive casting is admirable, the choreography struggles to bring nuance to the iconic roles, and the film elements often feel more like an Instagram reel than a cohesive storytelling device.

Why it matters

Millepied's reimagining of 'Romeo and Juliet' reflects evolving approaches to classic stories and gender representation in dance. However, the execution of blending live performance and film raises questions about the balance between innovation and preserving the emotional core of the beloved tale.

The details

In Millepied's version, the choreography takes place both on a stage in the Armory's drill hall and in other parts of the building, with a camera following the characters as they move through the space. Projected live footage is shown on a screen upstage, providing an additional layer of perspective. The work features a condensed version of the story, cutting several characters including the warring parents, Friar Laurence, and Juliet's suitor Paris.

  • The production opened at the Park Avenue Armory on Monday, March 3, 2026.

The players

Benjamin Millepied

The choreographer who created 'Romeo and Juliet Suite' and the director of the L.A. Dance Project company.

Daphne Fernberger

The dancer who performed the role of Romeo in the opening cast.

Rachel Hutsell

The dancer who performed the role of Juliet in the opening cast.

Renan Cerdeiro

The dancer who performed the role of Tybalt.

Sebastien Marcovici

The camera operator and associate director of the L.A. Dance Project.

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What they’re saying

“The idea to cut up this classic was good on paper. The problem came later, in trying to piece it back together.”

— Gia Kourlas, Dance Critic (The New York Times)

The takeaway

Millepied's 'Romeo and Juliet Suite' demonstrates the challenges of blending live dance performance with cinematic elements, as the work struggles to find the right balance between innovation and preserving the emotional core of the classic story.