Total Rating: 
***
Previews: 
August 24, 2013
Opened: 
September 19, 2013
Ended: 
November 24, 2013
Country: 
USA
State: 
New York
City: 
New York
Theater Type: 
Broadway
Theater: 
Richard Rodgers Theater
Theater Address: 
226 West 46th Street
Website: 
romeoandjulietbroadway.com
Running Time: 
2 hrs, 30 min
Genre: 
Drama
Author: 
William Shakespeare
Director: 
David Leveaux
Review: 

Is any play more synonymous with the grand passion of young love than Romeo and Juliet?It’s a passion that overpowers all family, society, responsibilities, relationships, and values. Is any love story as famous in English literature? Now at Broadway’s Richard Rodgers Theater, director David Leveaux heats up William Shakespeare's 16th-century tragedy several notches to grasp the attention of a 21st century audience that is no stranger to young passion. Unfortunately, Leveaux's fireworks and percussive clashes burn hotter than those star-crossed kids drawn to the power of love, violence and a tragic death.

Leveaux dramatically mixes and matches eras, costumes, ethnicity and accents -- the dramatic use of fire, a thundering bell, a white dove and the soundtrack of Tahirah Whittington's cello and David Van Tieghem's kettledrum clashes. These add a certain jolt of sexuality and city-street violence without abandoning the classic poetry and essential emotions.

The longstanding hatred between Romeo's Montague clan and Juliet's Capulet family is augmented by racial contrast, which is obvious but does not affect the soul of the play. The Capulets' soiree is enhanced by Afro-American rhythms and dancing. Nor does race change the course of love at first sight when chiseled British Romeo, Orlando Bloom (“The Lord of the Rings” trilogy) spots his Juliet, played by luminous Condola Rashad (The Trip to Bountiful). The words of Shakespeare embellish the contrasts when Juliet describes Romeo as, “Whiter than new snow on a raven’s back” and, Romeo sees Juliet "Like rich jewel in an Ethiope’s ear.”

However, Bloom's entrance on stage riding a motorcycle does fall on the gimmicky side. What gives this production its authenticity are excellent performances by various cast members. Although Bloom (age 36) is obviously old as a teen lover, he is skilled enough to be a competent Romeo, delivering clear, rich diction. Condola Rashad as his spunky, dewy-eyed Juliet who, while age 26, sparkles as the (almost) 14-yar old girl already promised (against her will) to marry Paris (the lackluster Justin Guarini). Like other cast members, Rashad has a problem projecting her lines with authority. Brent Carver (Kiss of the Spider Woman) falls short as the sympathetic but overwrought Friar Lawrence, who is persuaded into using the assets of nature for evil.

Both families fail to appreciate their children's passion and are determined to prevent any marriage. As Romeo's parents, Lord and Lady Montague, Michael Rudko and Tracy Sallows are sedate compared to the energetic performance of Chuck Cooper (The Life) as Juliet's high-handed father who demands his daughter's adherence to his plans. Juliet is not a rash child, but her early restraint evolves into resolve to be with Romeo, even if it leads to death.

Lady Capulet, played by Roslyn Ruff (The Piano Lesson), is aloof, but Jane Houdyshell (Follies) portrays Juliet's always supportive Nurse, with crowd-pleasing earthy delivery. Also vigorously grabbing his stage moments is Christian Camargo as Romeo's loquacious pal, Mercutio, and Corey Hawkin's Tybalt is compelling as bad news for Romeo.

The time frame is undetermined, so Fabio Toblini's costume selection time travels through various eras. Toblini gives Romeo torn jeans and a hoodie. Juliet is barefoot, usually dressed in virginal white, while her chic, preening mother, Lady Capulet, wears a slim burgundy gown and arm bracelet, a contrast to Lady Montague, wrapped in a shawl.

Set designer Jesse Poleshuck's medieval tapestry backdrop is scribbled with 21-century graffiti and used as a climbing wall. Shakespeare's balcony resembles a dock over a lake, and Juliet's final sleep is in a bed that rises to float mid-stage as the mortal finale takes place.

http://cdn01.cdn.justjared.com/wp-content/uploads/headlines/2013/04/orlando-bloom-romeo-in-romeo-juliet-on-broadway1.jpghttp://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02676/romeo-bloom_2676750b.jpg

Cast: 
Orlando Bloom (Romeo), Condola Rashad (Juliet), Jayne Houdyshell (Nurse), Brent Carver (Friar Laurence), Chuck Cooper (Lord Capulet), Christian Camargo, Roslyn Ruff, Conrad Kemp, Justin Guarini, Corey Hawkins, Geoffrey Owens
Technical: 
Set: Jesse Poleshuck; Costumes: Fabio Toblini's; Lighting: David Weiner; Original Music and Sound: David Van Tieghem; Fight Director: Thomas Schall; Hair Design: David Brian Brown.
Critic: 
Elizabeth Ahlfors
Date Reviewed: 
September 2013