Short Shakespeare! Romeo and Juliet Review – A Fresh, Vivacious Interpretation of Star-Crossed Love

Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents Short Shakespeare! Romeo and Juliet, a new abridged adaptation of the immortal tale of star-crossed lovers. Functioning primarily as an educational endeavor, with weekday performances for groups of students, the production is also performed for the public on Saturday mornings, offering the opportunity for community organizations such as parks and recreation departments, as well as individuals and families, to see this fresh take on a popular tragedy.

Director Marti Lyons also adapted the script, and in the vein of other CST adapters before her, has done an excellent job abridging the Bard’s text. Although experienced Shakespeare viewers will notice some bits and pieces missing, the story remains entirely intact, and the compressed format of the play makes it much more accessible to young audiences and those who are less familiar with Shakespeare.

Leading the production are Nate Santana as Romeo and Emma Ladji as Juliet. Santana is an earnest, emotional hero, whose vulnerability as an actor makes Romeo deeply sympathetic and engaging. Emma Ladji is a flawless Juliet, capturing with humanity and nuance the full spectrum of the heroine’s journey from a lovestruck innocent to a suicidal emotional wreck. The two lovers’ genuine connection makes it possible to root wholeheartedly for their survival, even with the knowledge that their story will end in tragedy.

Andrea San Miguel is spectacular as Benvolio, bringing a vivacity and color to the character that transform Benvolio from a unremarkable secondary character to the energetic heart of Romeo’s group of friends. Karen Janes Woditsch, who plays the Nurse through April 7, while young for the role, has phenomenal comedic timing and delivery.

It’s worth noting that both Benvolio and the Prince are played by women, and that the cast is even more diverse than Chicago Shakespeare’s usual formula of adding two black women to the mix and calling it good. For young aspiring actors and theatre artists in the audience, seeing themselves represented onstage sends an important message: that the performance of Shakespeare can include them, too.

Sound design by Mikhail Fiksel is impressive, especially during the ball scene, in which the tight coordination of lights, sound, and movement creates a unique and fitting atmosphere for the lovers’ first meeting. The play is performed on a set that seems primarily designed for Love’s Labor’s Lost, which is running in rep with Romeo and Juliet, but director Marti Lyons does not let this get in her way, and the blocking makes creative use of the space.

Fight choreography by Matt Hawkins brings the story’s conflicts to vivid life with precision and creativity. And costume design by Mieka van der Ploeg glitters with gorgeous details; Lady Capulet’s gown and the costumes worn by Benvolio and the Prince, which blend the actors and characters’ genders by combining period skirts with trousers, are particularly excellent.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater is a tour de force in bringing Shakespeare to children and teenagers throughout the Chicago area, and it is fitting that both director Marti Lyons and this reporter can cite Short Shakespeare! as their first Shakespeare experience. Romeo and Juliet is the latest installment in a vital program, and it offers a magnificent interpretation of the famous play, suitable for children and adults alike.

Ticket Information

Performance schedule: Saturday, March 11, 2017 – 11:00 a.m.; Saturday, March 18, 2017 – 11:00 a.m.; Saturday, March 25, 2017 – 11:00 a.m. For more information, visit the Chicago Shakespeare website.

Tickets: Tickets are on sale now for $22–$34 (subject to change). For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s Box Office at 312.595.5600 or visit the Theater’s website.

CST strives to make its facility and performances accessible to all patrons through its Access Shakespeare programs. An Access Shakespeare performance for Short Shakespeare! Romeo and Juliet will take place on Saturday, March 18 at 11:00 a.m. and includes ASL Duo-interpretation, Open Captioning and Audio Description.