Romeo and Juliet: Time Enough for Love at Open Fist

 

 

Alan Blumenfeld and Katherine James
Photo by John Dlugolecki

 It's pretty brave to futz with the Bard.  In Open Fist's World Premiere of production of Romeo and Juliet: Time Enough for Love by William Shakespeare; Conceived and directed by Christian Lebano,.. we encounter some far out changes.. The language is still abroad, but the setting  in modern times:  Box Set at a swanky South Florida retirement community:  Verona Village on a set designed by Mr. Lebano we set our scene  The Playbill features a pitch for the opportunity to become a VV resident.  They even have a Drama Club!

The opening sonnet by Abram (Allana Barton) struggles a bit after a brief scuffle and swordplay  performed by Montegue retainers Sampson (Richard Van Slyke) and Gregory (Daniel Lench)  foreshadowing the tussle between the  houses of the Montagues and the Capulets.  .. Two houses both alike in dignity?  We shall see. 

The text, such as it has been.. is present.  The business of who's who flies asunder.  Names are the same? But some few of the characters have changed.      It's Juliet's children that now insist on proper cnduct.

The premise of how Old Folks may fall in love teeters. Alan Blumenfeld as Romeo brings not so much the heat of passion but something imagined from another time. However, at times, he tears a passion to tatters!!  The Balcony Scene that many students  may recite from memory takes on new feelings as we fear for Romeo's encounter with the orchard walls. Lovely and a bit frail Juliet (Katherine James)  mirrors Blemenfeld stroke for stroke.  They meet again  later on the balcony with a questionable moment... 

Juliet flashes Romeo! 

Switching genders fromTybalt to MS! Tybalt (Barbara Schofield) is just wrong.  It changes  the motivation of Tybalt's macho bravado: the original conflict with  Mercrutio (Hutchins Foster).  

What Mr. Lebano has done with this unfortunate switch has created an improbable moment.  The swordplay is key to what happens for the next two hours.   Tybalt challenges Mercrutio.  Romeo tries to intervene.  Tybalt kills Mercrution and then Romeo's revenge! .  As attendants bring in a collapsable gurney to haul off the considerable luggage known as MS Tybalt..  The staging is simply awkward.

Shakespeare scholars might question the change ups of ages and genders..   Perhaps, to be moved off of our traditional ideas to allow reflective meditations on familiar text and to see how  love may ingnite us at any age is interestng. However, these changed perspectives have real difficulty expanding the basic themes.   I'd champion an all female R and J?  Or an all males??  As in the original?

Romeo and Juliet is certainly about love.. But, it turns on masculinity and honor and how ego and a family's stature in the community matters.   

Is our fate written in the stars? Or?  do we have free will to decide for ourselves our own  fate?  I chose to review this play!  Or..Am I fortune's fool!

Suffice it to say that this effort and Mr. Lebano's revison of what was originally a pretty good piece of theatre is An Extrememly Noble Effort.   Caps mine.

Supporting Exective Director Martha Demson and The Open Fist:    Encouraging theatre goers to see this show comes with the idea that it truly  deserves an audience.  It deserves discussion. The plight of Senior Citizens as active and loving human beingss is at its core.  Familiarize yourself with the basic plot.  Leave your critic hat at home.. 

Find the pony!!

Cast

The Montagues

Romeo.................................................................. Alan Blumenfeld

Montague.................................................................................. Sam Bennett

Mercutio.............................................................................. Hutchins Foster

Benvolio........................................................................... Stephen Rockwell

Sampson.......................................................................... Richard Van Slyke

Gregory.................................................................................... 

 

The Capulets

Juliet................................................................................... Katherine James

Capulet....................................................................................... Sam Cowan

Lady Capulet............................................................................ Natalia Jofre

Nurse....................................................................................... Emma Fassler

Ms. Tybalt........................................................................ Barbara Schofield

Ms. Abram.............................................................................. Allana Barton

Pedro/Featured Dancer................................................... Sebastian Senatore

Paris............................................................................................ Paul Ganus

Paris’ Aide/Featured Dancer............................................... Maliyah Tejada

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Verona Village Staff

Ms. Prince, Director of Verona Village......................... Melanie Rockwell

Father Lawrence, Resident Chaplin........................................ James Fowler

Head of Security.......................................................................... Luke Bolle

Pastor Joan/Aide/Cater Waiter #2/Security #20.................. Gabriela Grant
Apothecary/Security #3/Aide................................................... Elijah Reyes

Aide/Cater Waiter #3............................................................... Abbs Stoiber

Crew:

Scenic design by Lebano and Destiny Kast, lighting design by Dan Weingarten, sound design by Christopher Moscatiello and costume design by Vicki Conrad. The choreographer is Melissa Schade, assisted by Elle Engelman, and fight choreography is by Charles Currier. Original music is composed by Sean Paxton. The assistant director is Richard Van Slyke and the production stage manager is John Dimitri. Lebano produces for Open Fist Theatre Company alongside associate producers Estelle Campbell and Bethany Koulias

Press Relations for Theatre 

Lucy Pollak 

 Romeo and Juliet Time Enough for Love by William Shakespeare adapted and directed by Christian Lebano

Atwater Village Theatre
3269 Casitas Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90039
• Free parking is available in the ATX (Atwater Crossing) lot one block south of the theater.

TICKETS:
Previews: $10
Performances: $26–$45

 Nov. 8–Dec. 19
Previews: Nov. 8, Nov. 11, Nov. 12
• Sunday at 7:30 p.m.
• Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
• Thursday at 7:30 p.m.\
Performances: Nov. 13–Dec. 19
• Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.: Dec. 3, Dec. 10 and Dec. 17 only
• Fridays at 7:30 p.m.: Nov. 13, Nov. 20, Nov. 27, Dec. 11, Dec 18 (dark Dec. 4)
• Saturdays at 4 p.m. Nov. 28, Dec. 5 and Dec. 19 only
• Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 14, Nov. 21 and Dec. 12 only
• Sundays at 2 p.m.: Nov. 15, Nov. 22, Nov. 29, Dec. 6, Dec. 13
• Mondays at 7:30 p.m.: Nov. 23, Nov. 30 and Dec. 7 only