Tony Winner Bartlett Sher to Helm ROMEO AND JULIET at Lyric Opera of Chicago

Lyric Opera of Chicago will present a new-to-Chicago production of Romeo and Juliet, Feb. 22-March 19, 2016, helmed by Tony Award-winning director Bartlett Sher-who makes his Lyric debut fresh off directing the four-time Tony Award-winning revival of The King and I at Lincoln Center Theater. Lyric's Romeo and Juliet is presented in conjunction with the Shakespeare 400 Chicago international arts festival, for which Lyric is a partner organization.

Romeo and Juliet opens on Monday, Feb. 22 with 9 performances through Saturday, March 19. Performance dates are Feb. 22, March 5, 8, 11 and 16 at 7:30 p.m.; Feb. 25 and 28, March 2 and 19 at 2 p.m. The production is presented in French with projected English titles. For tickets and more information call 312-827-5600 or visit https://www.lyricopera.org/romeo.

He's a Montague and she's a Capulet-families who have hated each other for centuries. Yet when Romeo (tenors Joseph Calleja Feb. 22-March 8 and Eric Cutler March 11-19) meets Juliet (soprano Susanna Phillips), they fall instantly and rapturously in love. Secretly, they marry-but Shakespeare's famed young couple is ultimately doomed. Featuring five iconic love duets and soaring music for the chorus and orchestra, Charles Gounod's music breathes life into the world's most iconic romantic tragedy.

The acclaimed creative team for Romeo and Juliet includes Tony Award winners Michael Yeargan (sets), Catherine Zuber (costumes) and Jennifer Tipton (lighting). The production is conducted by Emmanuel Villaume with Michael Black as chorus master.