Paloma Herrera

Managing both thoughtfulness and spontaneity, David Hallberg was a fiery son of Montague as American Ballet Theatre presented its crowd-pleasing "Romeo and Juliet" again at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Paloma Herrera, who appeared as Juliet on Friday night, returned to the role opposite Hallberg on Saturday evening, replacing Gillian Murphy (out with an injury). If the wear and tear of this challenging part, performed two nights in a row, was a trial, the steadfast Herrera didn't show it. But her partnership with Hallberg was merely satisfactory, never rising to tragic levels.

Managing both thoughtfulness and spontaneity, David Hallberg was a fiery son of Montague as American Ballet Theatre presented its crowd-pleasing "Romeo and Juliet" again at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Paloma Herrera, who appeared as Juliet on Friday night, returned to the role opposite Hallberg on Saturday evening, replacing Gillian Murphy (out with an injury). If the wear and tear of this challenging part, performed two nights in a row, was a trial, the steadfast Herrera didn't show it. But her partnership with Hallberg was merely satisfactory, never rising to tragic levels.

The dance world first took notice of Paloma Herrera when she was just 15 and still a student. In 1991, at the School of American Ballet's annual "workshop"--a recital well-known as a place to spot future stars--she was the talk of the event, performing the lead in George Balanchine's "Raymonda Variations." Just a few weeks and an audition later, American Ballet Theatre offered her a contract.

In his native Italy, Roberto Bolle has achieved a degree of popularity unknown to ballet dancers in this country. His chiseled, handsome features -- not to mention his hunky torso -- are featured in magazine spreads and advertising campaigns. But he is also the real deal: a tall, supremely elegant dancer with exceptional line, harmonious plastique and partnering skills that have kept him in demand among leading ballerinas worldwide. "He's a perfect partner. He's so strong -- it's a pleasure.

American Ballet Theatre soloist Giuseppe Picone has been injured and will not dance the role of the prince today in the company's production of "Cinderella" at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa. Picone, scheduled to dance opposite Paloma Herrera, also missed Thursday evening's performance. Herrera will dance with Marcelo Gomes this afternoon. (714) 556-2787.

Just out of her teens, Paloma Herrera brings to the role of Juliet strength, freshness and a sense of living each moment to the fullest. In the Saturday matinee cast of the American Ballet Theatre "Romeo and Juliet," at the Orange County Performing Arts Center, she danced with great speed, force and surety.

In his native Italy, Roberto Bolle has achieved a degree of popularity unknown to ballet dancers in this country. His chiseled, handsome features -- not to mention his hunky torso -- are featured in magazine spreads and advertising campaigns. But he is also the real deal: a tall, supremely elegant dancer with exceptional line, harmonious plastique and partnering skills that have kept him in demand among leading ballerinas worldwide. "He's a perfect partner. He's so strong -- it's a pleasure.

It may not be exactly a Rose Adagio in Spanish Harlem, but American Ballet Theatre's "Dance Arriba!" program in New York City on Jan. 27 will celebrate Latino culture by presenting highlights from the company's classical and contemporary repertory far from its normal performing turf at Lincoln Center and City Center. The venue? Harlem's Apollo Theater.

In the dreadful 1987 film "Dancers," Julie Kent played an aspiring ballerina seduced by a corrupt company director, with their romance mirroring the plot of "Giselle." She didn't dance Giselle, however--a lack remedied on Sunday afternoon at the Performing Arts Center when she appeared opposite Jeremy Collins in the previously reviewed American Ballet Theatre staging.

American Ballet Theatre has announced casting for its new "Nutcracker," which will receive its world premiere on Friday and run through Dec. 12 at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. Information: (714) 556-2787. * Dec. 3, 8 p.m.: Yan Chen (Clara); Robert Wallace (Nutcracker Prince); Julie Kent (Sugar Plum Fairy); Robert Hill (Her Cavalier); Victor Barbee (Drosselmeyer). * Dec. 4, 2 p.m.: Ashley Tuttle, Gil Boggs, Christina Fagundes, Jeremy Collins, Guillaume Graffin. * Dec. 4, 8 p.m.

American Ballet Theatre soloist Giuseppe Picone has been injured and will not dance the role of the prince today in the company's production of "Cinderella" at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa. Picone, scheduled to dance opposite Paloma Herrera, also missed Thursday evening's performance. Herrera will dance with Marcelo Gomes this afternoon. (714) 556-2787.

Just out of her teens, Paloma Herrera brings to the role of Juliet strength, freshness and a sense of living each moment to the fullest. In the Saturday matinee cast of the American Ballet Theatre "Romeo and Juliet," at the Orange County Performing Arts Center, she danced with great speed, force and surety.

The dance world first took notice of Paloma Herrera when she was just 15 and still a student. In 1991, at the School of American Ballet's annual "workshop"--a recital well-known as a place to spot future stars--she was the talk of the event, performing the lead in George Balanchine's "Raymonda Variations." Just a few weeks and an audition later, American Ballet Theatre offered her a contract.

American Ballet Theatre's new production of "Le Corsaire," filmed in Segerstrom Hall at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in February, will be broadcast Dec. 20 from 9-11 p.m. on KCET-TV Channel 28 and on Jan. 1 from 9 to 11 p.m. on KOCE-TV Channel 50. The principal dancers include Julie Kent as Medora, Paloma Herrera as her friend Gulnare and Ethan Stiefel as the pirate Conrad.

Imagine watching the largest modern dance corps you've ever seen not only move in perfect unison but breathe as one. Imagine looking closer to find each member a world-class soloist: physically eloquent and deeply involved emotionally. Imagine not imagining such phenomenal dancers but seeing them at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in works by a modernist master.