A WORD FROM OUR ARTISTIC DIRECTOR:
One might argue that, of all of Shakespeare’s plays, the story of Romeo and Juliet is the most familiar to audiences regardless of whether they have seen or read the play before. Most audience members arrive knowing the story’s high stakes, and that the titular characters will lay dead by suicide after “the two hours’ traffic of our stage.” (And if they don’t know this, they will within the first 30 seconds of the play.)
So, why are we so compelled by this “most excellent and lamentable tragedy” over 400 years later? Is the telling and performing of Romeo and Juliet, rather, a ritualistic warning to readers and viewers about the perils of prejudice? (Brilliantly, Shakespeare never specifies the reason for the divide between the houses of the Montagues and Capulets, which gives the play endless universal relevance.) Is it a meditation on generational trauma and the inherent dangers that a parent ruled by hatred can pass to their children? Is it an opportunity for younger audiences to see themselves reflected back with relevance and understanding, regardless of the centuries passed since the birth of this play?
In short, yes. Yes to all of the above. Yes, AND it is a play about the unifying and all-too-powerful experience of love; love as the only true antidote to hate. Love when felt for the very first time. Love when used as a weapon and justification to protect those dearest to us.
As the Artistic Director of MAD Company, I feel deeply honored and excited to be bringing this beautiful story to life via our immensely talented team of actors, designers, and directors. I hope that you’ll join our company on this journey, and I look forward to discussing what this classic text personally means to you.
I’ll end with a beautiful story I once heard from a friend about a production of Romeo and Juliet:
My friend (we’ll call her Emily) is sitting in the audience of a particularly-compelling production of the timeless tale. As the lights come up at intermission, Emily turns to an elderly woman seated to her left and notices that the woman’s face is covered in tears. The woman turns to our Emily, smiles broadly, and says, “I’ve probably seen Romeo and Juliet more than any other play, but you know what? I really hope they make it this time.”
-Lauren Zbylski, Artistic Director
