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“Romeo. Romeo, where for art thou Romeo?” Did you know this means, “Why are you Romeo?” Language becomes the thing as Shakespearean dialogue positively blossoms into wonderful clarity. Everyone knows the story of Romeo and Juliet — but not everyone knows the Actors’ Shakespeare Project’s interpretation, playing at the Roberts Studio Theatre at the Calderwood Pavilion. There, director Marianna Bassham brings us a modern rendering — guests have cell phones and take selfies — that in its simplicity makes the language all the more vivid and front-and-center.
This is a surprisingly straightforward production and, in many ways, it is one of the best productions of the play this reviewer has ever seen. It is simply and gracefully staged, and whatever it lacks in size and pageantry, it more than makes up for in its clarity, in the fun it has (which suggests how easily a tragedy can morph into a comedy) and, above all, in the way it captures the swooning of very young lovers.
Fernando Barbosa and Chloe McFarlane
It’s your typical love story: Boy sees Girl, they fall in lust. Boy meets girl, they fall in love. With their families against it, they run away to marry, and so begins one of William Shakespeare’s most tragic love stories, just as relevant today as it was centuries ago.
Evan Taylor’s Romeo is filled with passion and youthful zealousness, tinged by ignorance. Taylor gives a wonderful interpretation of the overly exuberant character, while Chloe McFarlane’s Juliet has a certain wisdom — although the child is also tinged by the same sort of ignorance. She had a plan for her and Romeo to live happily ever after, but it doesn’t quite work according to plan.
Christopher V. Edwards as Lord Capulet, Esme Allen as Lady Capulet
Christopher V Edwards plays Lord Capulet, Juliet’s father, with wonderful majesty and grandeur, seemingly in control of his family and the whole situation. His disapproval of Romeo only leads to tragedy, and provides the catalyst behind to the story, proving that father doesn’t always know best. Esme Allen is terrific as Lady Capulet, Juliet’s mother, moves, acts and reacts with such grace and dignity that it reflects her station in life.
Along with playing other characters, Jesse Hinson gives a sympathetic turn as the apothecary (or as I like to call him, Romeo’s pusher); he also offers musical interludes. Fernando Barbosa plays Friar Laurence, the other drug giver. He officiates the marriage between Romeo and Juliet, in hopes it might bring the families together peacefully.
Evan Taylor and Chloe McFarlane
Peter DiMaggio plays Paris, the man to whom Lord Capulet has promised Juliet’s hand. His sorrow scene at the cemetery where Juliet sleeps in death is especially touching. Michael Broadhurst slams it as Mercutio, a member of Romeos group of friends. Nicolas Zuluage plays Benvolio, Romeos cousin, who also tries to be a peacemaker between the two families. Jules Talbot plays the prince who observes and comments on the action,. Sandra Seoane-Seri plays Tybalt, Juliet’s cousin, who secretly wishes to wed her. Seoane-Seri does a great job gender-bending the role, a reversal of the bard’s practice of having men play female roles.
I have to give a special shout out to the fantastic Paula Plum who played Juliet’s nurse. Her portrayal is riveting as the one who understands what is going on in both families.
The costumes by Lisa Coleman are modern-day casual in primary colors with the Capulets wearing white/cream, and the Montagues all basically clad in black. The set by Saskia Martinez is wonderfully simplistic while appearing very modern day — there’s even a DJ with a soundboard in the center of the stage (sound by Apothecary Jesse Hinson). Martinez’s set contained many risers and steps, perhaps a representation of the eloquent fluidity of the cascading words found in Shakespeare. Deb Sullivan’s lighting complemented actors and set beautifully.
Stage manager Lisette van den Boogaard and assistant stage manager Jolie Frazer-Madge make the machinery hum without us ever realizing it; they make an extremely difficult job seem effortless.
photos by Maggie Hall Photography
Romeo and Juliet
Actors’ Shakespeare Project
Roberts Studio Theatre, Calderwood Pavilion
Boston Center for the Arts, 527 Tremont Street in Boston
ends on June 2, 2024
for tickets ($20-$59.50), visit Actors’ Shakespeare Project
