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Roméo et Juliette 2016

July 16 - August 25, 2016

“If I cannot be his, I’ll let the grave be my wedding-bed!”

Shakespeare’s immortal tale of star-crossed lovers has inspired hundreds, if not thousands, of adaptions. Gounod’s music makes the heart leap and the rest of the world disappear as he immerses us in the sound of youth and of overwhelming love. We invite you to reacquaint yourself with the world’s favorite pair of lovers.

Synopsis

Overture/Prologue

Depiction of the animosity between the Montagues and the Capulets: The Chorus comments on the action that is to follow.

Act I

A masked ball in the Capulets’ palace: Tybalt talks to Pâris about Juliette, who appears with her father. Roméo, Mercutio, Benvolio and their friends enter, disguised, and Mercutio sings a ballad about Queen Mab, after which Juliette sings a joyful waltz song. The first meeting between Roméo and Juliette takes place, and they fall in love. But Tybalt re-appears and suspects that the hastily re-masked Roméo is his rival. While Tybalt wants immediate revenge, Capulet orders that the ball continue.

Act II

The Capulets’ garden: Roméo and Juliette meet illicitly in the garden of the Capulet’s palace. They are interrupted by the servant Grégorio.  They swear their love and plan to marry the next day.

Act III

Scene 1. Friar Laurence’s cell: Roméo and Juliette, accompanied by Gertrude, go to the cell, and the wedding takes place. Laurent hopes that reconciliation between the houses of the Montagues and the Capulets may take place.
Scene 2. A street in front of the Capulet palace: Stéphano sings to attract the occupants into the street. Grégorio and Stephano skirmish as men from each family appear. The duel is first between Tybalt and Mercutio, who falls dead, and then between Roméo, determined to avenge his comrade, and Tybalt. Tybalt is killed by Roméo, who is then exiled by the Duke.

Act IV

Juliette’s room at dawn: Roméo and Juliette are together and, after a long duet, Roméo departs for exile. Juliette’s father comes to remind her of Tybalt’s dying wish for Juliette to marry Count Pâris. The friar gives Juliette a potion which will cause her to sleep, so to appear as if dead. After being laid in the family tomb, it is planned that Roméo will awaken her to take her away.

Act V

Juliet’s tomb: Roméo breaks into the tomb after having taken poison because he believes that Juliette is dead. When she awakes from the friar’s potion, the lovers’ last duet is heard before the poison takes effect on Roméo. As he dies Juliette stabs herself, to be united with her lover in death.

Artists

Ailyn Perez headshot

Ailyn Pérez

Soprano

Juliette

Stephen Costello

Stephen Costello

Tenor

Roméo

Elliot Madore headshot

Elliot Madore

Baritone

Mercutio

Raymond Aceto headshot

Raymond Aceto

Bass

Frère Laurent

Tim Mix headshot

Tim Mix

Baritone

Capulet

Emily-Fons

Emily Fons

Mezzo-soprano

Stéphano (June 20 - August 16)

Alyssa Martin headshot

Alyssa Martin

Mezzo-soprano

Stéphano (August 25)

Deborah Nansteel headshot

Deborah Nansteel

Mezzo-Soprano

Gertrude

Soloman Howard

Soloman Howard

Bass

The Duke

Cooper Nolan headshot

Cooper Nolan

Tenor

Tybalt

Thaddeus Ennen headshot

Thaddeus Ennen

Baritone

Paris

Nicholas Davis headshot

Nicholas Davis

Baritone

Grégorio

Peter Scott Drackley headshot

Peter Scott Drackley

Tenor

Benvolio

Adrian N. Smith headshot

Adrian N. Smith

Bass-baritone

Frère Jean

Harry Bicket

Harry Bicket

Conductor

Stephen Lawless

Stephen Lawless

Director

Ashley Martin-Davis

Ashley Martin-Davis

Scenic & Costume Designer

Mimi Jordan Sherin headshot

Mimi Jordan Sherin

Lighting Designer

Nicola Bowie headshot

Nicola Bowie

Choreographer

Rick Sordelet headshot

Rick Sordelet

Fight & Intimacy Director

Fight Director

Christian Sordelet headshot

Christian Kelly-Sordelet

Fight & Intimacy Director

Fight Director

Susanne Sheston headshot

Susanne Sheston

Chorus Master