“Two households, both alike in dignity/In fair Verona,
where we lay our scene/From ancient grudge break to new mutiny/Where civil
blood makes civil hands unclean./ From forth the fatal loins of these two
foes/A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life/Whose misadventured piteous
overthrows/Do with their death bury their parents' strife.”
 |
| Photo by Chris Aldridge |
Arguably the world’s most famous
love story, William Shakespeare’s classic, Romeo
and Juliet, has been performed for centuries and along with Hamlet is one of Shakespeare’s most
popular plays. Written sometime between
1591 and 1595 during the Elizabethan era, it had been adapted numerous times
for stage, film, musical theatre and opera.
Over
the years, producers and directors have taken some liberties by modifying the
original play, and in one case, Georg Benda in the 18th century,
removed much of the action and gave it a happy ending. The Spotlighters energetic production, directed
by Lance Bankerd, did not veer from the original to the extent that Benda’s
version did, but Mr. Bankerd, who is making his Spotlighters directorial debut,
took a chance and inserted a wrinkle that will be discussed later.For full review, visit MD Theatre Guide.
#HoCoArts
