La MaMa to Present Stewart's 'Dance Opera' Romeo & Juliet

"Adapted and directed by Ellen Stewart, who describes this new twist on Shakespeare's beloved story as a 'dance opera': Romeo and Juliet tells the classic tale of an ill-fated love between two teenagers who pursue their desires despite a long-standing hatred between their feuding families, the noble Montagues and Capulets of Verona, Italy," as press notes describe the production.  "Stewart's adaptation of Romeo and Juliet brings an unusual element to the story, setting it as traveling road show attended by the Montagues and Capulets in Verona. One of the novelty acts in the road show is a dancer named Petrushka, who performs a selection from Igor Stravinsky's famed ballet score, Petrushka.  Stewart complements William Shakespeare's verse with her own, setting the language to music she has composed with Genji Ito and Michael Sirotta."

 

"Set in the 1800s in Verona, the first section of Stewart's Romeo and Juliet takes place outside La MaMa Annex. The audience then proceeds upstairs to the theatre for the story's famed 'masked ball' scene and tragic conclusion. For her adaptation, Stewart has expanded the characters of Nurse, Juliet's personal attendant and confidante, and Peter, one of Juliet's servants. Additionally, she has created three new characters called 'The Particulars' -- a trio of women who are part of the Capulet household and also function as a Greek Chorus, commenting on the action."

 

This adaptation of Romeo and Juliet will retain the inimitable international flavor that is a trademark of Stewart's body of work at La MaMa, with a 26-member cast consisting of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Filipino, African-American and Caucasian-American actors. Leading the cast as the star crossed lovers are newcomers Noshir Dalal as Romeo and Malaika Queano as Juliet. 

 

Romeo and Juliet features lyrics by Ellen Stewart with music by Stewart, Genji Ito and Michael Sirotta; music direction by Michael Sirotta, with music performed live, by a three-piece band; choreography by Renouard Gee and H.T. Chen; set design by Mark Tambella, Jun Maeda and Ellen Stewart; lighting design by Federico Restrepo. This operatic piece will be performed in period-inspired costumes by Radu and Miruna Boruezescu and Kanako Hiyama. Romeo and Juliet has its roots in a production she first presented in the 1980s at Max Reinhart's Castle in Salzburg, and subsequently in 1993 in Spoleto, Italy.

 

For more than three decades, Ellen Stewart has presented numerous adaptations of classics at La MaMa. Last season, she and the Great Jones Repertory Company offered a world-premiere adaptation of the rarely staged Greek saga Herakles Via Phaedra. In 2004, La MaMa ETC presented Seven -- a month-long festival including the world-premiere of Stewart's Antigone, performed in repertory with revivals of six productions previously staged by Great Jones Repertory Company.
  

The production runs May 24 through June 17; Thursdays through Sundays at 7:30pm at La MaMa ETC Annex (66 East 4th Street). Tickets $20 (May 24-25), $25 (May 26-June 17), and can be reserved by calling 212-475-7710 or online at www.lamama.org.