Shakespeare’s Romantic Masterpiece Returns to the Weathervane

WHITEFIELD, NH—New Hampshire’s award-winning Weathervane Theatre proudly presents the ultimate love story, Romeo & Juliet. Opening on Wednesday, September 18th, Shakespeare’s romantic masterpiece runs in alternating repertory through September 27th.

 

Returning to the Weathervane stage for the first time in 50 years, this timeless tale gets a modern makeover in a bold new production.

 

The power of love and the peril of hate write the destiny of these star-crossed lovers in this timeless tale while asking, “What happens when a community fails its young people?” 

 

Leading the cast are Ethan Davenport and Ana Lauren Rodriguez as the title characters of Romeo and Juliet. The cast also features Jessie Booth (Benvolio), Jorge Donoso (Mercutio), Robert H. Fowler (Lord Capulet), Marisa Kirby (Lady Capulet), Grace L. Kramer (Nurse), Ethan Paulini (Friar Lawrence), Nathaniel J. Ryan (Tybalt), and Payton Thomas (Paris/Abraham). Rounding out the company are Nicholas Deapo and Jeremy Lloyd, who play multiple roles.

 

Directing Romeo & Juliet is Nathaniel P. Claridad, who returns for his fourth season. Claridad directed last season’s award-winning A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

 

“I honestly believe that Shakespeare wrote for everyone—if not specifically, then certainly thematically,” said Claridad. “I find great joy in directing Shakespeare for specific communities so they can see themselves reflected in the work.” 

 

In addition to directing the piece, Claridad is its adaptor, streamlining the work down to two hours (including intermission) to make the piece accessible to all—whether it is the audience’s first Shakespeare experience or the hundredth. Enhancing that accessibility is setting the piece in modern times.

 

“Romeo and Juliet is partially a tragedy rooted in the joys of being young,” said Claridad. “So I started by observing and speaking with the college students I teach/direct. It was interesting to discover much of the culture I grew up in (1990s) was making its way back into conversation: the fashion and the music particularly. There seems to be a nostalgia for a time that didn’t quite exist…a romanticization of the 90’s.”

 

Claridad was inspired by Sam Levinson’s Euphoria and Larry Clark’s highly controversial 90s film Kids—works whose themes depict teens in a hellscape rooted in reality—either inherited or of their own doing. 

 

“How do we make that hellscape funny?” asks Claridad. “Fun fact: The first half of Romeo & Juliet is a comedy.” 

 

Instrumental in striking that balance is the soundscape.

 

“The first scene of Romeo & Juliet is highly patriarchal and misogynistic (to put it lightly),” said Claridad. “Sonically—I want to create a world that is devoid of a female voice. All of the music in the first half of the show are male vocalists from the 90’s to today ranging from hip hop to grunge (and much of it referencing violence). The second half will have only female vocalists from the 90’s to today to mirror Juliet’s own coming of age.” 

 

Romeo & Juliet opens at Weathervane Theatre in Whitefield, NH, on September 17th and runs in alternating repertory through September 27, 2024. Joining Claridad on the creative team are Rien Schlecht (costume and scenic design), Marley Boone (associate costume design), Jeremy Baldauf (lighting and sound design), Billy Smith and Claire Vogt (properties design), and Pyper K Williams (lead scenic artist). Egypt Dixon, Kenzie Kilroy, and Emma Aldrich Jordan stage manage the production. Camden Dalie Keech is the technical director. Billy Smith is the scenic charge and production coordinator.

 

Tickets for Romeo & Juliet are now on sale at weathervanenh.org or 603-837-9322. Special events include an opening night reception following the Wednesday, September 18th performance, where patrons can mix and mingle with the cast and the creative team with this intimate ticketed event. Reception includes a complimentary glass of champagne and drink specials. 

Sponsored by Bank of New Hampshire and Kerner’s Car Wash & Quick Lube, Romeo & Juliet is part of Weathervane’s 59th rep season, running now – October 19, 2024. Additional Season 59 titles include THE FULL MONTY, CLUE, CABARET, and WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME. Season 59 tickets start at $24.

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ABOUT THE WEATHERVANE

The Weathervane Theatre was founded in 1965 by Gibbs Murray and the late Tom Haas and is under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Ethan Paulini. It has presented high-quality professional productions of plays and musicals for over half a century. One of the few remaining alternating rep companies in the United States, the Weathervane is recognized as a historical institution nationwide, boasting among its alums 2021 Tony nominee Elizabeth Stanley, Tally Sessions, four-time Tony nominee Judy Kuhn, and recent Tony Award Winner Ari’el Stachel.  

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Media Contact: Carrie Greenberg
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