Romeo and Juliet–Part One (photo heavy)

Once again I am having trouble containing myself about our newest high school production “Romeo and Juliet”. Perhaps it has become hard for me to be objective, as I have grown so close to these young people and to the theatre program at the school over the years I have been there. My feelings around the importance of high school theatre have become deeply rooted as I have observed the life-changing impact it has had on so many young lives. With every new production I find myself astonished by the hard work, passion, and talent of these students. Our production of “Romeo and Juliet” still has me floored. These kids learned SHAKESPEARE! And they learned it so well, they made it believable and understandable—which is always somewhat miraculous!

The play (as it has been for centuries) was re-worked, and re-interpreted—this time into a bi-lingual (Spanish-English) presentation. Our director did not change the lines, but made the play feel contemporary—emphasizing the timeless love story aspect of it, and not setting it into any specific country or time period. This, of course, was a particular challenge for our costuming efforts, and we struggled with how it should all look. No time period…but it’s Shakespeare? No country…but it’s partially in Spanish? Hmmmm. Finally when we landed on the visual concept of: “Frieda Kahlo meets vintage Fleetwood Mac”, we took it from there, and beyond. Well….you’ll see!

There were many twisty and interesting aspects to it all…Mercutio is a scrappy street-smart female, the heads of the Montegue and Capulet households are strong single mothers, there were subtitles, and the students themselves came up with fascinating/humorous sub-text interpretations of several parts of this well-known story.

And so…once again, I am bragging shamelessly. I know this is High School Theatre—and I am more doting than objective, but I think this was one of our most outstanding efforts to date.

Here’s a photo illustrated (and truncated) version of “Romeo and Juliet” in three parts…I know I went a little overboard with this. (also I am sorry I do not have the bilingual script to add in a little Spanish!)

Prologue

“Two households, both alike in dignity, in fair Verona, where we lay our scene….”

On the street, the Montegues meet up with the Capulets. Not a good thing. All that thumb-biting and such.

“Do you bite your thumb at us sir?”

A brawl ensues, and the Princess (again, we changed genders) shows up and threatens the two families.

Princess:“On pain of torture, from those bloody hands throw your mistempered weapons to the ground and hear the sentence of your moved princess.”

The crowd disperses and Benvolio chats with Lady Montegue. Lady Montegue: “O, where is Romeo? Saw you him today? Right glad I am he was not at this fray……could we but know from whence his sorrows grow, we would as willingly give cure as know.”

Romeo wanders in..gloomy and love-sick because Rosilind is just not that into him. Romeo:“[Rosilind] hath forsworn to love, and in that vow do I live dead that live to tell it now.” Benvolio tells him to look elsewhere. Benvolio: “…forget to think of her….examine other beauties!” ….which doesn’t really bode well with Romeo.

Meanwhile, over at the Capulet household, Lady Capulet is planning on making a good marriage match for her daughter Juliet. She speaks with Paris. Lady Capulet: “But woo her, gentle Paris, get her heart; my will to her consent is but a part.”

Lady C decides that Juliet and Paris could meet at the big masquerade party they are having that evening. She then sends their servant Pedra out with invitations to the people in town. Pedra, not knowing that Romeo and Benvolio are Montegues, has them help her read the invitation and invites them to come to the party. Pedra: “My mistress is the great rich Capulet; and if you be not of the house of Monteques, I pray come and crush a cup of wine.”

Lady Capulet speaks to Juliet about marriage. Lady Capulet: “How stands your disposition to be married?” Juliet: “It is an honor that I dream not of.” But she agrees to give Paris a look at the evening festivities.

Benvolio and Mercutio try to convice Romeo to come with them to crash the Capulet Ball. Romeo is still whining. Romeo: “Is love a tender thing? It is too rough, too rude, too bois’trous, and it pricks like a thorn.” Mercutio: “If love be rough with you, be rough with love!” But then, he agrees to go with them anyway.

Scene V Masquerade Ball at the Capulet household. (This was fun…lots of choreographed dancing–kind of a Latino/Flamenco/Elizabethan line dance thing. And a Tango, later on.)

Of course Romeo sees Juliet from across the room, and he is instantly smitten…Rosalind utterly forgotten. Romeo: “If I profane with my unworthiest hand this holy shrine, the gentle fine is this: My lips two blushing pilgrims, ready stand to smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss.”

Continued…..