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Shakespeare’s tale of star-crossed lovers may be one of the most iconic and tragic love stories of all time. The classic tale gets a contemporary refresh at American Repertory Theater next month, spearheaded by Tony Award-winning director Diane Paulus and two-time Olivier Award-winning choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui.
“‘Romeo and Juliet’ has been a favorite play of mine for years,” says Paulus. “It is often considered to be a play about hate. I am interested in pivoting that framework: Rather than defining our lives through hatred, can we choose to define our lives through love? This question opened the play up for me in a way that was very liberating.”
Members of the cast of Romeo and Juliet in rehearsal. Photo: Ken Yotsukura
In the Bard’s famous story, young adults Romeo and Juliet, who come from separate, feuding households, fall in love. Their families’ mutual hatred won’t allow for a traditional relationship, and in trying to find a way to be together, tragedy strikes the young couple.
The A.R.T.’s diverse and intergenerational casting brings a fresh face to the story. Sharon Catherine Brown, who plays the nurse, a mother-like figure to Juliet, says this new staging addresses longtime questions and loose ends from Shakespeare’s beloved work, while staying true to the original text.
Shakespeare alludes to the trials of the nurse, who lost both her young child and her husband. It’s the loss of her young son that leaves her with milk to nurse Juliet and sets the foundation for their close relationship. This production allows Brown to probe that backstory further.
“She has a very, very deep connection with Juliet, because, literally, her DNA is in Juliet too,” says Brown. “That whole beginning and why they’re so close is sad.”
Brown says the cast spends a lot of time delving into these relationships and backstories to flesh out the characters more deeply.
Emilia Suárez, Sharon Catherine Brown, and Nicole Villamil in rehearsal for Romeo and Juliet. Photo: Nile Scott Studios
Castmates Rudy Pankow as Romeo, Emilia Suárez as Juliet, Alex Ross as Tybalt, Brandon Dial as Benvolio and others join Brown in the production.
In addition, five Harvard undergraduate students will take to the stage (and behind the scenes) to support the show: Bernardo Sequeira and Michael Torto in acting, Dree Pallimore in directing, Liz Resner in stage management, and Teddy Tsui-Rosen in sound and stage management.
“Romeo and Juliet” is a full-circle moment for Brown, the daughter of two Broadway performers, who was so enthralled with the story as a child that she carried her paperback copy everywhere she went. Performing a show at A.R.T and working with Paulus are two other checks off her career bucket list.
“I really love Cambridge and Boston,” says Brown. “I love how welcoming the city is already.”
“Romeo and Juliet” runs at A.R.T. in Harvard Square Aug. 31 through Oct. 6. Tickets begin at $35.
