Shakespeare's R&J
written by Joe Calarco
directed by J. Cody Spellman
A “vibrant, hot-blooded” (The New York Times) adaptation of Romeo & Juliet comes to the City Theatre Mainstage, blurring the line between dreams and reality. Shakespeare’s R&J follows four boys living under strict rules, including what they can and cannot read. In an act of defiance and curiosity, they begin to act out the forbidden play, Romeo and Juliet, amongst themselves. What starts as playful experimentation – assigning roles, improvising costumes from school uniforms – quickly becomes something deeper. Through Shakespeare’s language, the boys reveal hidden desires and vulnerabilities among themselves. By the end, the students face a choice: retreat into silence – or take control of their own voices. In a world built on control, Shakespeare’s words become an act of resistance. A reminder that the choice to speak – or stay silent – is one we all face.
