With glowing green and golden fireflies flying around the ravine, the romantic tragedy of Romeo and Juliet is transferred from Verona of the Late Middle Ages to New York during the Gilded Age, making the story more relatable to a contemporary audience.
Despite a car alarm threatening to ruin the actors’ dialogue at the beginning of the play, the scenes continued without major disruption. Co-directed by Willow Geer and Ellen Geer, the classic tale of forever love is now set in 1885. New York is bustling with activity and new fortunes are being built with the expansion of industry and transportation. Unprecedented changes in America are happening at an incredible pace, giving people hope for a brighter future. The Gilded Age is synonymous of wealth, mansions, and names like Rockefeller, Vanderbilt, and Carnegie. It’s during this period that Romeo (Asher Hagler) meets Juliet (Quinnlyn Scheppner). They fall in love and their future looks bright. But what do the stars have to say?
One great thing about Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum is that it keeps the theatrical experience vibrantly analog. No digital displays, just lights, music, minimal props, and the talent of the cast. With the natural ravine as the background, even the sound of nature is highly appreciated. With this setting, what gives away the Gilded Age period is the costumes. Designer A Jeffrey Schoenberg presents elaborate costumes that reveal the elegance and status of the new riches. But the costumes also depict the personality of the characters. The red suit of Tybalt, for example, shows his ambition and aggressive tendencies, an element that stands out and plays with the concept of color psychology. The ladies, of course, are dressed in their best silks, brocades, and ruffles, displaying a rich palette of fabrics and colors.
The selection of a different period than the original is an attempt to correlate the opportunities for American society during the Gilded Age and the imbalances of society’s structure that left many people behind. The endless opportunities were not for everyone. Although the progress was extensive, the characters are still stuck in old beliefs and social norms. For Callahan (Ethan Haslam), keeping a high social status is imperative. That’s the reason he demands Juliet to marry Paris (Tomas Francois), a wealthy man that would elevate the Callahans’ prestige. But love is love and Juliet has other plans, in cahoots with Friar Lawrence (Max Lawrence).
The blocking is exceptional, allowing the actors to make great use of the big stage and platforms. Breaking the fourth wall is also an effective engagement device, as so is the actors walking and seating close to the audience. The fighting scenes add realism and movement to the story and heighten the tension among the characters. With all of these kinetics, Willow and Ellen Geer creates a space to nurture the humor and drama of this classical tragedy.
The cast is a mixture of experienced and upcoming talent. Ellen Geer as Nurse is fantastic. Sweet and spicy, she teases about female anatomy and male attractiveness, much to the amusement and shyness of a young and naive Juliet. Geer does it remarkably well, playing her character as the messenger between Romeo and Juliet, but also as the unfortunate prey of old traditions, unable to champion the drives and priorities of a new generation. Rhett Curry as Mercutio is excellent as well. He gets into the character with a hypermasculinity tendency that leads to tragic consequences. Great dialogue and action. As for the protagonists, Hagler and Scheppner are two young actors navigating the exciting and challenging rhythm of Shakespeare’s iambic pentameter. These young actors are on the right path to master the demanding job. It’s always exciting to see up-and-coming talent taking one of Shakespeare’s script and making it their own, metamorphosing and revitalizing iconic characters written more than 400 years ago. Their performances exude the innocence and illusion of an entire generation who truly believes that love conquers all. Kudos for their brave performances.
The change of time period is an intelligent way to keep Shakespeare relevant. Technology changes, but human behavior stays the same. Setting the play during the Gilded Age is a symbolic reference to the rapid and chaotic changes we see today. New fortunes are being created , but the question remains, who will advance and who will be left behind? Ellen and Willow Geer see these connections, and the Gilded Age is perceived as a time where opportunities came along, but only for a few. Romeo and Juliet represent that bridge, a hopeful new beginning, a break from the past. What are the realities behind the shiny, gilded mansions?
Romeo and Juliet
Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum
1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd.
Topanga CA 90290
(midway between Pacific Coast Highway and the Ventura freeway)
June 6–Sept. 26
Tickets and show times: theatricum.com
Written by William Shakespeare. Co-directed by Ellen Geer and Willow Geer.
Cast: Asher Hagler, Quinnlyn Scheppner, David Benne, Billy Walker, Jesse Corwin, Rhett Curry, Tomas Francois, Jason Hayes, Ethan Haslam, Brooke Heatley, Michelle Jasso, Max Lawrence, Shane McDermott, Michelle Merring, Christopher Miles, Elijah Reyes, Ethan Ricks, Franc Ross, Jon Sprik and Ellen Geer. Taking on a variety of smaller roles are Cole Dechant, Asher Edwards, Kiley Fallon, Estrella Garcia–Starr, Abbs Stoiber and Elliott Grey–Wilson.
Creative team: Fight choreographer Cavin (CR) Mohrhardt, costume designer A Jeffrey Schoenberg, lighting designer Geoff Barton, sound designer Irene Silbert, properties master Shoshanna Green and wardrobe supervisor Beth Eslick. The assistant director is Natalia Jofre and the production stage manager is Karen Osborne, assisted by Amayah Watson. Sophie Edwards is production assistant.
