ROMEO AND JULIET
ROMEO AND JULIET may be a classic, but thanks to thetalented cast and creative staging the new production at The Old Globe thisstory has yet to grow old. Playing through September 15th thisproduction will remind audiences of all the passion, pitfalls, and emotionalmood swings of youth and first love.
It is fair Verona where this stage is set, and per usual theCapulets and the Montague’s are still mortal enemies. This show focuses on theyouthfulness of the main characters, and really all the other characters as well. After all, what is a better example ofteenage impulsiveness and lack of thinking something through than a hasty andsecret wedding and then going back to their respective houses like nothing everhappened?
Instead of a serious and somber story, where the romanticleads seem like they are already aware of the tragedy to befall them thisproduction is fun, feisty, and feels very modern. This production directed byBarry Edelstein starts with the elementary school age Romeo (Jaydn Washington) andJuliet (Veda Cienfuegos) happily playing together before their parents and familyanimosity separates them.
As Rogers and Hammerstein wrote, “You’ve got to be carefullytaught...” and it seems that everyone on both sides has learned their lessonsof hatred well. The set by (Takeshi Kata) has a giant sandbox thatdominates the stage and only serves to enhance the feeling of school yardfights as they all taunt each other.
When next we see him, Romeo (Aaron Clifton Moten) is fresh frombeing rejected by Rosaline. Like many ateenager with a broken heart Romeo is channeling his teenage heartbreak bypicking up a guitar and trying to process his feelings through song. Mercutio (Ben Chase) and Benvolio (MorganTaylor) try to cheer him up and they end up at Capulet’s party that evening.
Juliet (Louisa Jacobson) is getting ready for the party withher mother Lady Capulet (Sofia Jean Gomez), and the Nurse (Candy Buckley). Atthe party Juliet takes center stage and catches everyone’s attention singing “Copacabana”– a song of love and loss and the final lyric of ”Don’t fall in love.” This production gives more weight to theprophetic predictions both Romeo and Juliet say throughout the show.
Jacobson and Moten are excellent as the lead characters,able to capture both the euphoria and the despair of these characters. Moten is loose-limbed, sweet, and a littlegoofy which only makes him all the more charming to the audience andJuliet. Jacobson is playful and dreamy;with a touch of rebellion that makes her sneaking off to a secret wedding seemplausible later on. Their goodbyes during the balcony scene play out as theShakespearean version of “No, you hang up first” and are really delightful.
Buckley is very funny as the Nurse, she’s not the ancient companion the character is so often portrayed. Instead she’s like a sex crazed Endora from ”Bewitched”; saucy, sharp -tongued, and outrageous. Chase as Mercutio is another standout, as well as Yadira Correa who as the bloodthirsty Tybalt seems to have a delightfully unending supply of weapons on her person. Jesse J. Perez is also excellent as the supportive Friar Laurence.
The play is accompanied by original music from Mark Bennettplayed by the exceedingly talented pianist Justin Gray adding to the romanceand then building to the ever more tragic circumstances.
This more modern and daring production may not play to those who consider the classic format the pinnacle. The first act is so buoyant and fun that the theatrics of the second act can seem a bit like emotional whiplash. Yet, somehow it feels perfectly appropriate for the story of these teenage lovebirds. What could be more dramatic than the emotions of teenagers?
ROMEO AND JULIET is playing at The Old Globe through September15th. For ticket and show timeinformation go to www.theoldglobe.org