A Commedia Romeo & Juliet
Shakespeare’s greatest love story by DC's biggest fools!
January 19th - February 3rd, 2024
Performed at Capitol Hill Arts Workshop
545 7th Street SE, Washington, DC 20003
Open Caption performances on Friday, January 26th at 730pm and Saturday, January 27th at 2pm & 730pm
Medical Mask Required performances on Saturday, January 27th 2pm and Saturday, February 3rd 2pm
Join the Fools for the return of a foolish favorite! Romeo and Juliet, the classic story of two young lovers divided by a family feud, borrows heavily from the tradition of the Italian Commedia dell’Arte. Last performed in 2012, this high-octane version of Romeo and Juliet, featuring five actors in a one-hour performance, brings physical spectacularity to Shakespeare’s poetry and highlights the tragedy by juxtaposing it with humor. Our 2024 remount is performed by two rotating casts, both alike in dignity: the "Montague Cast" and the "Capulet Cast."
The Montague Cast: Francesca Chilcote, Max Johnson, Ben Lauer, Mary Myers, and Jasmine Proctor.
The Capulet Cast: Deimoni Brewington, Travis Xavier Brown, Natalie Cutcher, Bri Houtman, and Robert Pike
**Please note: there will be occasions performers swap casts**
Written by: William Shakespeare
Directed by: Kathryn Zoerb
Assistant Director: Matthew Pauli
Stage Manager: Samantha Nodarse Owen
Original & Remount Costume Design: Lynly Saunders, Lighting & Sound Design: William K. D’Eugenio, Original Scenic Design: Daniel Flint, Remount Scenic Design: Johnny Weissgerber, Original Music Composition: Jesse Terrill, Mask Design: Tara Cariaso of Waxing Moon Masks, Intimacy Choreographer: Megan Behm, Text Coach: Renea Brown, Original Production Consultant: Gwen Grastorf, Acro-Balance Choeographer: Rachel Spicknall Mulford, Production Photography: DJ Corey Photography, Graphic Design: Ben Lauer
Running time: approx. 70 minutes; Appropriate for ages 9 and up.
Originally Conceived and Directed by: Matthew R. Wilson
Originally Created by & Starred: Gwen Grastorf, Drew Kopas, Toby Mulford, Paul Reisman, and Eva Wilhelm
The Washington Post says: "Cheerfully rough-hewn" with "capering, roughhousing physicality".
Read the full review, HERE!
Washington City Paper says: "When Faction of Fools does its commedia dell’arte versions of classic plays, they do not merely add slapstick and inventive ensemble work...They uncover that which has been buried for centuries under the edifice of classical theater: Tradition is not a true restaging of the original." Read the full review HERE.
DC Theater Arts says: "Faction of Fools remounts a downright hilarious 'Romeo and Juliet'". Read the full review HERE. And read the DC Theater Arts feature on the newly remounted production HERE!
Maryland Theatre Guide says: "a truly gut-busting hour of theatrical joy". Read the full review HERE.