Review: ROMEO AND JULIET at Shakespeare Theatre Company - A Fascinating Contemporary Treat

Count me in as a member of Director Alan Paul's fan club. Associate Artistic Director Paul has delighted audiences with three outstanding musicals at STC: KISS ME, KATE, MAN OF LA MANCHA, and A FUNNY THING HAPPENED on the Way to the Forum. When I saw that Artistic Director Michael Kahn picked Paul to direct his first Shakespeare production at STC to launch its 30th season, I knew this was a play not to be missed. Coincidentally, Kahn opened the newly-established STC in 1986 with his production of ROMEO AND JULIET.

The set, completely decked out in red was comprised of a setting for a bar/restaurant, 2 rolling food carts, red bannisters on a second level, three plastic plants, two large mirrors upstage in the middle that reminded me of Hyatt Hotel elevators, and in the rear, one could envision a church which featured a crucifix on the role with many candles in red glass. I loved the work of Lighting Designer Jen Schriever who whenever there was a scene in the church, had the candles illuminated and whenever the scene was completed, the candles went out.

I knew from the very beginning this was going to be a little different. As the houselights went down, an actor comes on stage with an upright vacuum wearing a leather baseball hat titled to the right and sneakers, says his first line and then put on the vacuum followed by a gun shot.

Getting back to the mirrors, Set Designer Dane Laffrey should be commended. I would love to know the thought process that went into the idea of the two large mirrors. During the show, inhabiting the mirrors included a rapper DJ, a statue of a large Madonna (when the set was used as a church), Juliet alone, and then the lovers together, and finally what looked like a Knight. The only problem I saw was from my seat location, there was a light from the side which caused the mirror all sorts of problems. Maybe this has been fixed.

Paul explained his purpose of setting the play in today's world this way, "I want the audience to walk in the theatre and see people that look and dress like them on the stage. I want teenagers to see their experiences and emotions reflected in a really powerful way....Certain behaviors can seem inevitable when you're in period costumes, and that's one of the reasons I wanted to set the play in modern dress."

I cannot imagine any theatergoer not familiar with the play or the musical based on it, WEST SIDE STORY. My wife had to stop ourselves from singing "Tonight", "Maria", and the music for the "Dance at the Gym".

As Paul admitted, this R&J is geared for a young crowd. I can only imagine how at student matinees they will be surprised when some men use crude gestures or when Inga Ballard (who almost steals the play as Juliet's nurse) admires Romeo's abs and rubs her hands across his body.

There is a marked contrast between Act I and II. The first half includes much comedy, especially by Jimmie "J.J." Jeter's Benvolio, Romeo's cousin. There is much dancing (Choreography by Eric Sean Fogel) and techno music (Daniel Kluger, Sound Designer and Composer) which features a pulsating beat. There is also much action when the Capulet families fight with the Montagues. I'm sure young audiences will be reminded of today's gang violence. Once again Fight Choreographer David Leong does a masterful job. The second act is entirely different. The comedy is gone.

Still, the heart of story involves the attraction of Romeo (a Montague) and Juliet (a Capulet). I have never seen a more age-appropriate Juliet than Ayana Workman who plays Juliet as a 14 young virgin and looks and acts the part. Andrew Veenstra is a grand choice for Romeo. Costume Designer (Kaye Boyce) had no problem allowing Veenstra to wear his very own tee-shirt at the beginning of the show and wears a hoodie at the end of the play. I enjoyed his modern hair-cut (he loves stroking his hair). Boyce does a yeoman-type job with creative costumes.

Playing a pivotal role is Ron Menzel as Friar Lawrence who truly understands the love between Romeo and Juliet and attempts to make it work.

I do wonder if young people today will understand the punishment that Romeo faces after he stabs Tybalt in a way I found to be too excessive (and yet hidden). I was quite surprised. The fact he was to be "banished" from Verona may be something that should be explained in the program. (Speaking of Verona, I loved visiting this historic town where you can visit "the balcony" and rub a part of a statue of Juliet.)

ROMEO AND JULIET is certainly a classic and I commend Paul who has taken the tale to another level and my very well get the youth of today to consider reading and seeing more Shakespeare. It runs until November 6, 2016 at the STC Lansburgh Theatre. For tickets , call 202-547-1122 or visit www.shakespearretheatre.org where there are many interesting videos.

The following events are available at the STC:

"Bookends", Wed. Oct. 5 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and after the show in the Lobby.

"Asides Live Symposium" Sunday, Oct. 16 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for $20.

"Reflections", Saturday, Oct. 8 from 5 to 6 p.m. in the Lobby.

"Brush-Up, ASL-Interpreted Conversation" ,Tuesday, October 18 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Next up at STC is the wonderful musical THE SECRET GARDEN directed by David Armstrong. I was astonished to see that Daisy Eagan, who became the youngest person to ever receive a Tony Award for her performance as Mary Lennox in the original production (which I loved) will take on the role of Martha, Mary's chambermaid!! It runs November 15 to New Year's Eve, December 31.

cgshubow@broadwayworld.com

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