ELM SHAKESPEARE INTRODUCES “ROMEO AND JULIET” UNDER THE STARS

New Haven's lovely tree scape Edgerton Park becomes a colorful quilt of families every night, except Mondays, until Sunday, September 3 as the tragically romantic tale of Shakespeare's "Romeo & Juliet"reveals itself, thanks to Elm Shakespeare, under the stars. For the 22nd year, this fine acting company brings exceptional theater to the community so people of all ages can enjoy the Bard up close and personal.

On opening night, I spied a woman knitting a fuzzy blue blanket while her black bunny BoonBoon (short for Brunhilda) scampered near by enjoying the greenery, kids played ball, couples dined on tuna fish sandwiches or fried chicken, babies happily broke crackers on a blanket, cell phones were activated, plastic cups of white wine were toasted and one woman sported a head of bright purple hair...until the magic happened and the play began.

Brawls and bawdy language and tenderness and tears mark this current production of the classic Shakespeare tale “never was a story of more woe than Juliet and her Romeo.”  You are invited to visit these star-crossed lovers who meet, marry and die in way less than a fortnight, plagued by two families who consider feuding their special right.

The Capulets and the Montagues will be entertaining, but definitely not each other, on an elaborate set designed by Elizabeth Bolster over five weeks at the company's new alliance and home at Southern Connecticut State University.  Directed by long time actor Raphael Massie, this version of “Romeo and Juliet” is blessed with love songs of a contemporary flavor. 

To Massie, "The challenge is how do I keep the story fresh and relevant.  Here there is no particular time period.  The story transcends time.  Here we have a mix of fresh faces as new actors as well as veterans on the board.  This is compelling theater that crosses every time period since the year it was written."  Additionally, he hopes that love will always triumph over hatred and prove "we are one humanity."

Courtney Jamison is chaste and charming, soft and luminous, as the young teenage girl, barely fourteen,  eager to embrace love and choose her own mate, not willing to concede to the pressures of her parents (Mark Sage Hamilton and Samantha Dena Smith) to marry their choice of suitor Paris (Martin K. Lewis).  When Juliet meets the dashing and newly devoted Romeo (Steven Lee Johnson) at her parents' ball, her fate is sealed and the tragedy quickly unfolds.

The ancient grudge between the two families leads to the deaths of two young citizens, Tybalt (Claire Warden) and Mercutio (James Udom).  For the role Romeo plays in the battle, he is banished from Verona.  Despite the helpful and often comic aid of Juliet’s nurse, a cunning Gracy Brown, and the well-meaning advice of Friar Laurence (James Andreassi), the young lovers are doomed by their parents’ animosity to a tragic end.  Their first bloom of love is destined to be short lived. Just as in our present world, hatred often trumps love and understanding and we are all the poorer for it.  Escalus, Prince of Verona, (Tamika Pittway) speaks sagely about the great price this hatred has wrought.

Come learn the costs of adversity in ancient Verona and in our present world.  Elm Shakespeare requests donations to fund their year round activities in school and with youth.  To help in their goal of raising $50,000, make a donation by texting elm91011 or do so at the performances where suggested donations are $20 adults, $10 students and $5 children.

Other activities of note to add to your calendar are "An Evening Under the Stars," a Gala and Auction at Edgerton Park on Thursday, August 31, with cocktails, buffet and auction at 5 p.m. followed by the performance.  Tickets start at $75 and are available at ElmShakespeare.org or 203-392-8882. 

On Thursday, October 26 from 6:30-8:30pm in the Curran Community Room at Gateway Community College founding board member of Elm Shakespeare Bill Curran will celebrate his 90th birthday. Call for tickets in mid-September but reserve now at ElmShakespeare.org or 203-392-8882.

The joy of wedding planning quickly turns to preparations for funerals as the two feuding families learn too late what their enmity has cost.