Romeo and Juliet at A Noise Within Theatre (Photo – Craig Schwartz).
A daring and dazzling and thoroughly fascinating telling of the classic love story.
By Carol Edger Germain
Feuding families, forbidden love, a secret marriage, Juliet’s bold and desperate plot to join her soulmate Romeo on the run, and of course the tragic ending. Even though this is probably the most universally known of Shakespeare’s plays, and even though you know what’s coming and the pop culture use of lines from the tragic story almost makes it a cliche, nevertheless the timeless story never fails to capture my imagination and I suspend my knowledge of the outcome and believe for a moment in the power of true love to heal even the deepest hate and long-lived feuds. But alas…….
Direction and set
Robertson Dean (Friar Laurence) with Donnla Hughes (Juliet) and Ensemble (Photo – Craig Schwartz).
Director Damaso Rodriguez’ vision of the setting for the play (a sparse urban wasteland with minimal props, far from luxurious, with graffiti giving a nod to the house of Juliet in Verona where thousands of visitors annually write the names of their loved ones on the wall of the house and profess their love in the notes left attached to the wall) was inspired by his visit to Cuba where he witnessed actors with limited access to venues and props creating their art on the street. It is aptly and colorfully brought to life by set designer Angela Balogh Calin, a unique view that works well for the story. Some actors play multiple roles, the characters use trash bins and other street fare to add rhythm to the story, and some details are left to the imagination of the audience.
Solid cast
Will Bradley (Romeo) and Donnla Hughes (Juliet) at A Noise Within (Photo – Craig Schwartz).
Will Bradley and Donnla Hughes are the ill-fated lovers, and represent them with intensity along with the expected lyricism of Shakespeare’s words. Robertson Dean is quite humble and lovable as the bumbling Friar Lawrence, and June Carryl is commanding and intriguing in her dual roles as the Nurse and Prince Escalus. Alan Blumenfeld and Jill Hill as the Capulets, and Lawrence Sonderling and Kathryn Ventress as the Montagues, keep the underlying animosity alive and well throughout. Rafael Goldstein as Mercutio/Apothecary, Christian Barillas as Tybalt/Friar John, Amir Abdullah as Paris, the willing suitor picked for Juliet to wean her from Romeo, and Charlotte Gulezian as Benvolio add the spice and color to keep the play heading for its train wreck of a conclusion. Marcos J. Ruiz, Seven Pierce-English, Chase Green, Troy Whiteley, and Carina Haller (playing Bathasar, Abram, Gregory, Sampson, and Page, respectively, as well as playing various street characters and keeping the rhythm going) round out the solid cast.
Fresh version
A very enjoyable afternoon, I suggest you take the opportunity before the end of the play’s run on May 8 to see this fresh version of the legendary classic again, or for the first time if you’ve never seen a live production of it – you won’t be disappointed.
The intimate yet modern and comfortable theater is a pleasure to attend, with convenient free parking in the adjacent Metro parking structure.
Leave a Reply