Follow the story, scene by scene.
Gounod's star-crossed lovers come to life, with dancers from Ballet West II bringing Verona's ballroom and streets to the stage.
At a ball, Roméo and Juliette fall instantly and irrevocably in love, only to discover they belong to rival families locked in a deadly feud. Secretly married in the hope of reconciliation, their brief happiness is undone by violence.
Jump to any act below, click into a scene to read what happens and listen along, or click a character's name to meet the artist performing the role.
Two strangers fall in love, then learn their families are enemies.
Scene 1
Juliet is presented to the crowd as her cousin Tybalt arranges her marriage to Count Paris.
Juliet is presented to the crowd as her cousin Tybalt arranges her marriage to Count Paris.
At the home of the Capulets, the citizens of Verona gather for a ball. Juliet's cousin Tybalt makes plans for her to marry Count Paris, who is in attendance. She is presented by her father to the crowd, and all celebrate.
Scene 2
The Montagues crash the party, and Mercutio blames Romeo's gloom on the fairy-queen Mab.
The Montagues crash the party, and Mercutio blames Romeo's gloom on the fairy-queen Mab.
A posse of Montagues has crashed the party. Mercutio tries to cheer up Romeo's discontent over an unrequited love by blaming his friend's unhappiness on Mab, the fairy-queen of dreams.
Scene 3
Romeo and Juliet fall for each other before either learns the other's name.
Romeo and Juliet fall for each other before either learns the other's name.
Romeo spies Juliet telling her maid, Gertrude, of her desire to stay young and carefree. Catching her alone, Romeo makes his feelings known, and the two rapidly fall for each other without knowing each other's names.
Scene 4
Tybalt recognizes Romeo and reveals his identity to a stunned Juliet.
Tybalt recognizes Romeo and reveals his identity to a stunned Juliet.
Tybalt returns, recognizing Romeo instantly and revealing his identity to Juliet. The Montagues flee the party, pursued by Tybalt and his gang.
Beneath a window, the lovers set their families' names aside.
Scene 1
Romeo returns beneath Juliet's window and declares his love.
Romeo returns beneath Juliet's window and declares his love.
Romeo returns to Juliet's window after the party and declares his love for her.
Scene 2
Juliet confesses her feelings aloud, not realizing Romeo can hear.
Juliet confesses her feelings aloud, not realizing Romeo can hear.
Juliet appears on her balcony, and thinking she is alone, she speaks about her conflicted feelings aloud. Romeo reveals himself, and the two declare their love for each other.
Scene 3
Interrupted by servants, the lovers still manage to plan a secret marriage.
Interrupted by servants, the lovers still manage to plan a secret marriage.
They are interrupted by servants searching the garden for a Montague intruder. Juliet is able to return to the balcony, and the two make plans for a secret marriage the next day.
A secret marriage gives way to a deadly street fight and exile.
Scene 1
Friar Laurence marries Romeo and Juliet in secret.
Friar Laurence marries Romeo and Juliet in secret.
The lovers each arrive at Friar Laurence's church. In the hope that the union might mend the hatred between their families, he weds the couple in secret.
Scene 2
Stephano taunts the Capulets with a mocking song in the street.
Stephano taunts the Capulets with a mocking song in the street.
Romeo's page Stephano sings a song in the streets of Verona, taunting the Capulets and drawing their ire. When he is attacked, Mercutio steps in to defend the boy.
Scene 3
Mercutio is killed, and a devastated Romeo avenges him by killing Tybalt.
Mercutio is killed, and a devastated Romeo avenges him by killing Tybalt.
Romeo arrives and tries to keep the peace, but Tybalt accuses him of cowardice. Mercutio steps in to defend Romeo's honor, but is slain by Tybalt. Romeo, devastated, avenges his friend and kills Tybalt.
Scene 4
The Duke of Verona arrives and sentences Romeo to exile.
The Duke of Verona arrives and sentences Romeo to exile.
The Duke of Verona arrives at the scene of the crime and sentences Romeo to exile.
Facing a forced marriage, Juliet risks everything for one more chance at love.
Scene 1
Romeo and Juliet share one final night together before his exile begins.
Romeo and Juliet share one final night together before his exile begins.
Defying his sentence, Romeo spends the night with Juliet before beginning his exile at daybreak.
Scene 2
Juliet learns she is to marry Count Paris that very day.
Juliet learns she is to marry Count Paris that very day.
Juliet's father alerts her of Tybalt's dying wish: that she marry Count Paris that day.
Scene 3
Desperate, Juliet turns to Friar Laurence, who offers her a potion instead of a wedding.
Desperate, Juliet turns to Friar Laurence, who offers her a potion instead of a wedding.
Desperate, she turns to Friar Laurence; he gives her a potion that will make her appear dead, to later facilitate her escape into exile with Romeo.
Scene 4
Juliet drinks the potion and falls into a deathlike sleep.
Juliet drinks the potion and falls into a deathlike sleep.
Juliet, though frightened, dispels her fears and drinks the potion, falling into a deathlike sleep.
A message arrives too late, and the lovers meet a final, shared fate.
Scene 1
Friar Laurence discovers that his warning to Romeo never arrived.
Friar Laurence discovers that his warning to Romeo never arrived.
Friar Laurence discovers his message to Romeo went astray and leaves the entrance of Juliet's tomb to send another.
Scene 2
Believing Juliet dead, Romeo drinks poison at her tomb.
Believing Juliet dead, Romeo drinks poison at her tomb.
Romeo arrives, and believing Juliet to be dead, drinks poison.
Scene 3
Juliet wakes moments too late, and the lovers die together.
Juliet wakes moments too late, and the lovers die together.
Juliet revives before Romeo's death, but realizing what he has done, she takes her own life, and the two die in each other's arms.