Juliet (Erin Weaver) longing to see her Romeo in Romeo and Juliet, playing at the Folger Theatre October 15 – December 1, 2013. Photo by Teresa Wood.
The Folger Shakespeare Library has launched its 2013/14 season with one of Shakespeare’s classics: Romeo and Juliet. By this point in life, everyone has read and/or seen some production of these star crossed lovers and most can quote many of its most famous lines. So since one isn’t going to this production to be surprised by the storyline, its all about how each production takes its own unique spin on the tale. If you like a relatively classic staging, then you’ll enjoy the season debut.
The cast is a mix of familiar faces, including two Helen Hayes Award winners in Eric Hissom as Friar Lawrence and Sherri L. Edelen as the Nurse, as well as several newcomers to the Folger. Erin Weaver as Juliet (Arcadia and The Comedy of Errors at the Folger) plays opposite Michael Goldsmith’s Romeo. The couple plays well as teens, a bit temperamental and emotional as 14-year-olds can be, though Romeo is a bit of a gushing, poetic romantic.
The dialogue is traditionally maintained, but the cast seems to pick up the cadence a bit to for a more contemporary rhythm. When it works, it works well; but execution is sometimes uneven. The costumes have a touch of Victorian steampunk (including an excellent collection of boots), with an overall atmosphere that melds together well. As with most Shakespeare plays, its the minor characters that bring in some of the best quips and observations. Helen Hayes Award-winning director Aaron Posner perfectly places Hissom and Edelen in these roles as the Friar and the Nurse, as well as Brad Koed as a cutting Mercutio and and Aaron Bliden as a sympathetic Benvolio.
The show’s run is a perfect fit for the holidays – if friends and family are in town for Thanksgiving, I’d grab my tickets now.