Dance Review : S.F.’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’s’ Passion Builds

Virtually a whole new cast of principal performers were dancing fast and dying young in “Romeo and Juliet” on Thursday, the second night of this week’s San Francisco Ballet engagement at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

It seemed at first as if the fate of the eponymous lovers was to be upstaged by David Justin as the far lustier Mercutio--a role always in danger of making a straightforward balcony scene seem dull.

Fortunately, the more Romeo and Juliet’s stars got crossed, the more Tina LeBlanc and David Palmer grew into their roles. The problem was never technique: Palmer’s turns were often impressive, while LeBlanc danced with a sweet precision and harmonious ease. But in the balcony scene, their love seemed like an innocuous crush. It needed the kind of tension you get from moments of suddenness and surrender, and nuanced phrasing that conveys a singular desire you can’t bear to imagine destroyed.

Later, LeBlanc, in particular, blossomed in distress; her limbs no longer stretched in vague happiness but found impassioned directness, pleading with her parents, collapsing in despair, reaching and drawing away from the poison. In the tomb, the couple’s dramatic choices were finally, beautifully effective.

As Mercutio, Justin’s passion never flagged as he made his way through prancing, flirting and sword-fighting duties. Justin is a fully embodied dancer, able to incorporate his sharply correct pirouettes and beautifully buoyant leaps into a foolhardy, likable character. As often happens with a good Mercutio, surrounding characters appeared somewhat drained of life by comparison, even before the bloodletting.

Nevertheless, Peter Brandenhoff held his own as the mild-mannered Benvolio, and Jorge Esquivel provided a strong contrast as a very tense Tybalt.

* “Romeo and Juliet,” presented by the San Francisco Ballet at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion of the Music Center, 135 N. Grand Ave. Remaining performances (with differing casts) today at 2 and 8 p.m., Sunday at 2. Tickets $15-$50 at box office. (213) 972-7211.