Paris Opera Ballet’s Red Carpet at UC Berkeley’s Zellerbach Hall (October 3, 2025)

This special Paris Opera Ballet tour includes stops in two U.S. cities: Berkeley, California and New York City. I got to experience the single West Coast engagement of Red Carpet by London-based choreographer, Hofesh Shechter on October 3, 2025 at Zellerbach Hall on the UC Berkeley campus. This performance was also its North American premiere!

When I think of ballet, I think of classical Nutcracker-esque productions: lots of pink leotards and tutus, tinkling music box melodies, and a charming story with a happy ending.

The Red Carpet was not like that. I went not expecting anything except that it would be modern. Based on what I observed, choreographer, Shechter defines modern as upbeat, fast paced dancing by 13 dancers wearing vividly hued costumes by CHANEL, including the main dancer in a bright crimson frock. There was no clear narrative and I believe that may have been the point. About halfway through, they changed into nude bodysuits, which, from my balcony seat, made the dancers appear convincingly au naturel.

Without adornment, they were all on equal, um, footing! In that regard, it helped since I could focus more on the music and dancing, which I enjoyed!

The 75-minute, nonstop dance performance was mesmerizing, hypnotic, and had a meditative quality at times.

The music was incredible! It was part rock and part jazz concert, with four tuxedoed musicians playing bass, cello, drums, and trumpet.

I liked how the stage was simple, but elegant. For instance, there was an enormous chandelier, which was lowered or raised at different parts. At one point, the light fixture created a shadow that resembled a tree. Red drapes regularly opened and closed to reveal the musical quartet. Although there wasn’t a physical red carpet, stage lighting effects gave the illusion of one.

view from Galeries Lafayette (June 2025): Palais Garnier in Paris, where Red Carpet was performed from June 10-July 14, 2025
Red Carpet was performed at UC Berkeley’s Zellerbach Hall from October 2-4, 2025
Curtain call: Paris Opera Ballet in Berkeley, California (October 3, 2025)

Red Carpet was performed at the Palais Garnier in Paris from June 10-July 14, 2025. Following their Berkeley performances, the Paris Opera Ballet continued their U.S. tour at the New York City Center from October 9-12, 2025. 🩰

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