You have to give Ben Cunis props for sheer athleticism.

The co-star of Synetic Theater‘s production of Carmen spends a good portion of the production hoisting himself over, under and through the winding metal, cage-like set constructed for the production. It’s an impressive feat (enough to generate more than a few exclamations of “Oh my!” from some of the Kennedy Center’s older patrons).

But when he’s not showing off his strength, Cunis is equally adept at demonstrating the simmering jealously of his character Don Jose particularly through the medium of dance. One of the play’s opening scenes has him surrounded by a Greek-like chorus of women, haunting him about his lost love, Carmen. The character whips into near frenzy, contorting and twisting in a choreographed rage.

But enough about Cunis. The play is called Carmen, after all, and we have a more than formidable one in Irina Tsikurishvili, Synetic’s choreographer and signature diva. She’s coquettish without being cutesy, and as wholly seductive as the show itself.