Article: South Sound Magazine. By Kaitlin Armstrong. Oct 2, 2019

Symphony Tacoma will begin its 73rd season on Oct.19th at the Pantages Theater with an original production of Romeo and Juliet. In a performance that blends symphony and theater, the program will pair Prokofiev’s iconic ballet score with selections from the classic Shakespeare play. Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet has long been an audience favorite, both as a ballet and a symphonic production. Now, director Sarah Ioannides has reimagined the original Prokofiev score, bringing new life to an age-old story. The production will feature students from Tacoma School of the Arts (SOTA) in the roles of Romeo and Juliet. This year marks Ioannides’s sixth season with Symphony Tacoma. During her tenure with the symphony, Ioannides, who has received accolades from The New York Times and graced numerous top conductor lists, has established a reputation as a formidable creative director. In previous seasons, Ioannides has also forged collaborations with groups such as the Hilltop Artists, Lincoln High School, and the Tacoma Youth Symphony.