went to see my first ballet and what a perfect show and perfect venue to pop my cherry. my lovely fiance used to dance as a little girl and for her birthday i got us tickets to see the American Ballet Theatre (ABT) on their winter tour at the Kennedy Center in DC. we checked into the Renaissance M St. Hotel (a beautiful place, i used Priceline and bid $75 on a 4-star and they took it, next time i'll try a touch lower) and got dressed up just in time for our friends in DC to show up for an early dinner. we went to the Blue Duck Tavern on 24th St. and got lucky getting a table. the wait staff and host were incredible and very funny. great place to eat if you go to DC. we then said our goodbyes and jumped into a cab and got dropped off at the front of the Kennedy Center. the performance was in the Opera House, we were seated in box 4 and had a perfect view. a father and his daughter had the front row on the rail and we talked to them after the first act. they left half way through and gave us their seats for the rest of the show. ABT did Romeo and Juliet (it was nice for my first ballet to know the play). Juliet was played by Julie Kent (see above photo and video below) she was very tiny and graceful and did a great job, she had me laughing at parts and holding my breath at others. Romeo was played by Marcelo Gomes (see video below) he was unbelievable. he is a very muscular Brazilian who made a smooth dancer by himself and such a strong base for Miss Kent, she was like a feather in is arms. he was on his knees at one time, Act III, Scene 1, and had her in the air above him and was sitting back on his legs and then kneeling up again. he did this 3 times and it was flawless. the Kennedy Center is a wonderful place and the Opera House is one of the most beautiful places i've ever stepped into. a wonderful experience, but it was DC and that is what always happens in DC. great food, great friends, great show, great people, great cabbies, great city.
Julie Kent
M. Gomes
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