Who’s Who in Tomasson’s Romeo & Juliet

Meet our young lovers, their warring families, and their lifelong friends.

Helgi Tomasson’s Romeo & Juliet was part of SF Ballet’s 2021 Digital Season. This tragic tale of star-cross’d lovers streamed May 6–26.

Juliet

Passionate, beautiful, and oh yeah, only 14, Juliet is ready to take on the world until fate throws Romeo her way.

Likes: Romeo. Romeo. Romeo.

Dislikes: Paris (the man, not the city. She may like the city immensely for all we know).

Romeo

A bit of a serial philanderer, Romeo’s life makes a 180 when he spies beautiful Juliet, the daughter of his family’s greatest enemies.

Likes: Women, generally. Juliet, specifically.

Dislikes: Feuds, duels, gangs.

Lord and Lady Capulet

Juliet’s parents: they love her but they also really want her to just marry Paris so they can all go back to their regularly scheduled feuding.

Likes: Traditional Veronese décor.

Dislikes: The Montagues and rebellious children.

Paris

Juliet’s intended betrothed: well-connected, handsome, and rich, he can’t quite figure out why she seems so reluctant to sign on the dotted line.

Likes: A good meal and a well-appointed ball.  

Dislikes: Being told no.

Tybalt

Juliet’s cousin, Tybalt is a bit of a hothead, but well-loved by the whole Capulet family.

Likes: Getting into trouble.

Dislikes: Party crashers

Mercutio

As Romeo’s best bud, he gets dragged into all this Capulet/Montague drama in spite of himself.

Likes: A nice beer on the square with friends.

Dislikes: Being stabbed.

The Nurse

Juliet’s nurse loves her dearly, but really seems unclear on the concept of “in loco parentis,” let alone teenage brain development.

Likes: Going with the flow. Romance.

Dislikes: Asking tough questions of her teenage charge.

Friar Laurence

This man has seen one too many Montague/Capulet funerals, and as a result doesn’t report Romeo and Juliet to their respective parents when they show up asking to be wed.

Likes: Dark-colored clothing. The people of Verona. The Vatican.

Dislikes: Family feuds.

Header image: Mathilde Froustey in Tomasson’s Romeo & Juliet // © Erik Tomasson