Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" exquisitely pleads for similar and neighboring peoples to stop killing each other for reasons they no longer remember. In The Drilling Company's production for Bryant Park Shakespeare, the play will be set in a modern city which is divided by wealth and class. Directed by David Marantz, it aims to send a clear message about the violence that can result from social division and corporate greed.
In Marantz's "contemporary" version of Verona, the city is dominated by religion and divided between rich and poor. Everybody carries weapons openly, which leads to fighting on the streets. Capulet industries, run by Juliet's wealthy, conservative family, is running the town. Romeo hails from a different wealthy family that funds social activism; they run the Montague Center for Social Justice. Class conflict has created a modern dystopia from which the two lovers want to flee. Such a milieu enables some innovative character choices, for example, Mercutio is no longer just a hothead. Played by a woman, the character will be transformed into an impulsive firebrand activist. Tybalt is Head of Security for Capulet Industries. In the balcony scene, Romeo must overcome the video surveillance that protects the wealthy.
For this production, the performing area is on the Bryant Park Stage, which is across the park from the Upper Terrace Steps, at the Fountain Terrace near Sixth Avenue, with audience on the gravel and lawn.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY & SATURDAY @ 6:30 PM
SUNDAY @ 2 PM
