Helgi Tomasson

From grand spectacles to poignant close-ups, experience Helgi Tomasson's bravura interpretation of Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet like you've never seen it before. With passionate choreography, spine-tingling swordsmansip, and a celebrated score by Sergei Prokofiev, San Francisco Ballet's passionate retelling of the Bard's greatest tragedy has packed houses around the world. Romeo & Juliet is one of the Company's most popular and widely toured ballets and has been seen by more than 200,000 people since it premiered in 1994. Choreographed by Helgi Tomasson, with sets and costumes by Jens-Jacob Worsaae, this visually stunning production and the brilliant dancers of San Francisco Ballet bring this powerful and touching tragedy - and Renaissance-era Verona - vivdly to life. ""Tomasson lifts Shakespeare's complex and familiar language off the gilded pages and translates it into lucid classical choreography that is visceral, fresh, and ultimately sublime"" (Huffington Post).

“Closer Than Yesterday" is an intimate documentary that offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the journey of two young San Francisco Ballet dancers as they prepare for the Helsinki International Ballet Competition. The film follows Carmela Mayo, who has returned to dance after back surgery. The competition is a significant milestone for her comeback. Coached by Principal Dancer Tiit Helimets, she partners with Esteban Cuadrado, and their rigorous preparations commence. However, they encounter numerous challenges due to the pandemic, and their path takes unexpected twists even before they set foot on the competition stage.

This production of the famous ballet has been reset to take place during the 1915 San Francisco World's Fair.