Broadway Reviews Theatre Review by Howard Miller - October 24, 2024 Romeo + Juliet by William Shakespeare. Edited by Sam Gold. Directed by Sam Gold. Music by Jack Antonoff. Movement direction and choreography by Sonya Tayeh. Scenic design by dots. Costume design by Enver Chakartash. Lighting design by Isabella Byrd. Sound design by Cody Spencer. Hair, wig, and makeup design by Robert Pickens and Katie Gell. Intimacy director Claire Warden. Violence by Drew Leary. Voice and text coach Gigi Buffington. Dramaturgy and text consultants Michael Sexton and Ayanna Thompson.
Do understand that if you insist on having your Shakespeare experience straight-up, this probably is not for you. But for everyone else, this production, under Gold's guidance, does a wonderful job of reconceptualizing the story of the star-crossed lovers for Gen Z audiences, as well as for the rest of us who are young at heart. And it is as exciting and engaging as the original West Side Story was for the baby boomer generation. The connection with West Side Story is a strong one. Costume designer Enver Chakartash dresses the actors in a contemporary version of the Jets' streetwear look (updated to jeans, hoodies, T-shirts). And the thrillingly staged fight scenes (credit movement director/choreographer Sonya Tayeh and "violence" coordinator Drew Leary) bring to mind the rumble between the Sharks and the Jets. Leary, by the way, served as fight director for the 2020 Broadway production of West Side Story. And, last but far from least, our Juliet for Romeo + Juliet is actress and singer Rachel Zegler, who played María in the 2021 film version of West Side Story.
The rest of the cast members generally play multiple roles, changing characters, articles of clothing, and genders in the blink of an eye. Tommy Dorfman is outstanding as the Nurse and as Tybalt, with other standouts being Gabby Beans as Mercutio and the Friar, and Sola Fadiran who plays both Lord and Lady Capulet. But, really, the entire company works as a tight-knit ensemble. As exciting as the performances are, the staging itself is equally full of surprises. The bulk of the production is played in true theater-in-the-round fashion, with the seating surrounding a circular stage. That stage itself has a few tricks up its sleeves (the creative design is by dots), which you can discover for yourself, while some of the action takes place beyond and above the main performance area. Jack Antonoff, an 11-time Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, and musician, has provided the music for the production, and it, too, gets to take center stage at times. The wonder is, it all comes together smoothly and organically. And, yes, all the while staying true to Shakespeare and his language (with some edits by Gold to keep the flow going). Romeo + Juliet has always been seen as the best and most-relatable entry level Shakespeare play to share with teenage students. And for many years, English teachers have paired it with West Side Story to make it even more accessible. But with this production of Romeo + Juliet, there is no need to pair it with anything else. Sam Gold has made it an exciting and thoroughly engaging experience for audiences of all ages.
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