romeo and juliet
Set Designer: Dane Laffrey
Costume Designer: Kaye Voyce
Lighting Designer: Jen Schriever
Sound Designer: Daniel Kluger
Choreographer: Eric Sean Fogel
Fight Choreographer: David Leong
Played at The Shakespeare Theatre Company, Washington D.C. September 13th through November 6th, 2016.
The production was revived for the theater’s annual “Free For All” and played in August, 2018 with a new cast.
2016 Cast: Andrew Veenstra, Ayana Workman, Jeffrey Carlson, Keith Hamilton Cobb, Judith Lightfoot Clarke, Inga Ballard, Ron Menzel, James Konicek, Alex Mickiewicz, Jimmie “J.J.” Jeter, Timothy Carter, Emily Townley, Elan Zafir, Chris Genebach, Ross Destiche
2018 Cast: Sam Lilja, Denaya Esperanza, Jeffrey Carlson, Sebastian Chacon, Ron Menzel, E. Faye Butler, Thomas Keegan, Craig Wallace, Judith Lightfoot Clarke, Timothy D. Stickney, Gregory Wooddell, Shanara Gabrielle, Paul Deo Jr., John Keabler, Elan Zafir, Paul Reisman, Madalaina D’Angelo, Omar D. Cruz, Emilia Brown, Gaby Hornig, Andrew Thornton, Joe Mucciolo, Sheldon Donenberg, Lauren Jackson, Audrey Tchoukoua
Ensemble: Jordan Aragon, Jasmine Alexis, Shravan Amin, Elise Kowalick, Rakeem Lawrence, Calley Luman, Rafael Sebastian, Ryan Sellers, Brayden Simpson
REVIEWS of the 2016 production
“Shakespeare Theatre Company’s production as directed by Alan Paul has given us a fresh take on this classic story…Paul has set the production in the modern day and has successfully found new layers to the play…A revelatory theatre experience.”
“Paul gives us a production that believes in the love story at its core, while not ignoring the danger of the violence and decay imbued in the world that surrounds it…Alan Paul’s production reminded me of so many reasons why Romeo and Juliet is a genuinely good play.”
“Just the right amount of energy and modern accouterments to light a match to what was already the hottest romance of all time.”
“Alan Paul’s direction of Shakespeare is brilliant…After bringing new life to classic musicals such as Kiss Me, Kate, Man of La Mancha, and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum for STC, Alan Paul can now add another classic to his list of triumphs. Bringing fresh eyes, sharp casting, and compelling collaboration to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is likely to be a new chapter in Paul’s steady rise as a sought after young director.”
“Romeo and Juliet is certainly a classic and I commend [Alan] 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.”
“The violent plot’s fast moving brawls are notably good, and the tone is frisky and often funny.”
REVIEWS OF THE 2018 REVIVAL
“This staging, directed by STC’s associate artistic director Alan Paul, is given a well-executed, modern gloss that highlights (surprise!) the timelessness and relevance of a familiar tragedy.”
“Your passion is well invested in this boldly conceived production.”
“Director Alan Paul, with this year’s Free for All, brings us all the depth of Shakespeare, with a distinctively modern touch. The hope, turmoil, and passion of today’s teenagers take center stage.”
Photos by Scott Suchman