ROMEO AND JULIAN
An adaptation of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet
Audience Rating: R
Running Time: 2 hours with a 15 minute intermission
Accessible Seating: Available
Hearing Devices: Not Available
Sensory Friendly Showing: Not Available
ASL Showing: Not Available
Sound Level: Loud at times
Noises/Visuals to Prepare For: Partial Nudity, Violence
Reviewed by Ellie Nunemaker
Romeo and Juliet is one of Shakespeare’s most openly edited works. From musicals to animated movies about gnomes all the way over to the Cox Playhouse in Plano, where The Beacon Theatre presented Romeo and Julian, a queer retelling of the feud between two houses fueled by nothing but simple hate and years old discourse. I have always been a big fan of most retellings of Romeo and Juliet, but this queer retelling of this tragic story has completely taken the cake on interpretations of this show for me.
Director Mario Estep had such a divine vision in this show. From the first moment the lights came up there was an air of inclusivity and love. You can truly tell that Estep’s vision has completely come to life on this stage with these actors, from the costumes to the set, the lights and the sound design were all perfectly tied together perfectly complementing Estep’s vision.
Even before the show starts, we are greeted by two drag queens, Ramon Sanchez and John Bishop, who serve as the runners who change the set between each scene (in heels, so you know they are absolutely crushing it). These actors managed to create such a wonderful environment in the theatre from the first moments of the show and made me start the show smiling.
The story is opened by laying our scene in fair Verona, Texas. The Narrator, also played by Estep, introduces the two houses that have been feuding for longer than can be said. The Capulets and the Montagues.
The Capulets are led by the controlling and angry Lord Capulet, played by Jimmy Jensen and the cold and distant Lady Capulet, played by Elisabeth Hassenboehler. Their son, the captivating Julian (Benjamin McElroy) soon finds out he is meant to be wed to the somewhat disarming Lady Paris (Holly Napper) to his surprise as well as his Nurse’s who only cares for Julian’s well being and that he lives his truth. The Nurse, played by Britanya Elios, has brilliant timing and a wonderful connection with McElroy. The Capulets, to introduce the idea of Julian marrying Lady Paris, decide it is best to throw a ball at which Julian meets his love Romeo.
The Montagues on the other hand, are led by the more quiet and reserved Lord Montague, played by Byron Frazier and the more tender Lady Montague, played by Meghann DiMascio. Their son Romeo (Spencer Walsh) in the beginning, is woefully in love with Rosaline and is encouraged by the witty and charming Benvolio, played by Isabell Moon and the vibrant Mercutio, played by Brett Lee to go to the ball to seek the favor of Rosaline. When the trio arrives at this ball, the cast dances a beautiful number where Romeo and Julian’s crackling chemistry begins to fizzle.
Walsh and McElroy have chemistry that can almost breathe on its own. These two actors, with the help of Meghann DiMascio who did intimacy coordination for this very difficult show, have found a gold mine of connection between these two actors. I would love to see these two actors play across from each other time and time again.
Keeping the two together through the entire story and even marrying the two is Mother Lawrence, expertly played by Geoff Lutz. Mother Lawrence serves as the true heart of this story as the queer mentor to the two lovers and the only person who truly understands the situation that Romeo and Julian are in. Mother Lawrence was electric on stage, and I could not keep my eyes off of her. The range of emotions that Lutz portrayed in this story just reminded me why I love the father (or Mother in this case) Lawrence character and Lutz truly did the role more than justice.
Romeo and Julian is a stunning and wonderful message to so much of the world, This interpretation of the show truly exemplified the theme: If hate persists there will be dire consequences for everyone.
Catch the magic while it's live!!
Ellie
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