WHEN:
October 1–November 10, 2024
WHERE:
Folger Shakespeare Library
201 East Capitol Street, SE
Washington, DC 20003
A spokesperson describes the event as follows:
“...In a nod to our current election cycle, Caldwell's fresh interpretation of star-crossed lovers marries the “uncivil strife” of Shakespeare’s Verona and the polarized political landscape of our nation's capital. With the Capulets and Montagues envisioned as political rivals during a contested election season, this production delves into the politics of division and the violent consequences that arise when the systems designed to protect and guide society’s youth—familial, religious, and governmental—fail catastrophically..."
CAST:
Cole Taylor (Romeo) and Caro Reyes Rivera (Juliet), both making their Folger debuts. Todd Scofield (The Merry Wives of Windsor) and Fran Tapia (Folger Theatre debut) take on the roles of Lord and Lady Capulet, Juliet’s conflicted parents, in the throes of a hotly contested political campaign. The Montague family features Tony Nam (Much Ado About Nothing) as Lord Montague and Renee Elizabeth Wilson (last seen on the Folger stage this spring in Metamorphoses) as Lady Montague. Rounding out the cast are Giovanna Alcântara Drummond (Folger Theatre debut) and John Floyd (Our Verse in Time to Come) as close, loyal confidants of Romeo; Alina Collins Maldonado (King John) as the fiery Tybalt; Luz Nicholas (Folger Theatre debut) as Juliet’s devoted Nurse; Brandon Carter (Folger Theatre debut) as the well-intentioned Friar Lawrence; Deidra LaWan Starnes (Amadeus) as the Prince and Chorus; and Gabriel Alejandro (The Cuban Vote) as the romantic rival Paris.
CREATIVE TEAM:
Tiffany Quinn (Theater Alliance’s Blood at the Root), scenic designer Jonathan Dahm Robertson (Signature Theatre’s Passing Strange and Nollywood Dreams at Round House Theatre), Helen Hayes award-winning costume designer Jeannette Christensen (Our Verse in Time to Come), Helen Hayes Award-winning lighting designer Alberto Segarra (Solas Nua’s The Honey Trap), Helen Hayes Award-winning composer and sound designer Matthew M. Nielson (The Winter's Tale and A Midsummer Night’s Dream), and Helen Hayes Award-winning projection and multimedia designer Kelly Colburn (Theater Alliance’s Blood at the Root). The team also includes Amy Kellett (Props Designer), Caleen Sinnette Jennings (Adaptor), Carla Della Gatta (Dramaturg), Rosa Garay López (Translator and Interpreter),Robb Hunter (Fight Choreographer), Kaja Dunn (Resident Intimacy Director), Kate Murray CSA (New York Casting Director), Tori Schuchmann (Production Stage Manager), and Ebony Gennes (Assistant Stage Manager).
