The Dance School of the Jewish Community Center of Mid-Westchester (JCCMW) recently welcomed the community to a bold reimagining of Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy with R&J, a powerful dance experience that explores the complexities of love and identity.  

In this new interpretation, the passion and peril of Verona were retold through a multiplicity of voices and perspectives with three different casts: male/female, male/male, and female/female. Through the universal language of movement, the ballet invited audiences to see themselves reflected in the joy and heartbreak of the star-crossed lovers—no matter who they are or whom they love.

With breathtaking choreography, an emotive score from Sergei Prokofiev, and fearless storytelling from the dancers of JCCMW and Hudson Ballet Theatre, this production reclaimed the stage and challenged conventions of classical ballet. It was a true celebration of love in all its forms—achingly beautiful, deeply human, and tragically fleeting.

Aaron Thao, Performing Arts Director of the JCCMW, shared, “Directing and choreographing this bold new Romeo and Juliet was nothing short of historic. Each of our three casts brought their own narratives to the forefront with an honesty and vibrancy that transformed the stage—and the audience. You could feel the theater shift every night as people recognized themselves in these love stories that reached beyond the stage. This production didn’t just retell Shakespeare; it redefined what community-centered art can be. It’s moments like these that set the JCC Mid-Westchester apart—fearless, inclusive, and willing to make history.”