EMA Review: ROMEO AND JULIET Delicious ★★★★★

By Erik Engman

Author, Clown and Improvisation Teacher, Theatre Critic EatMoreArtVegas.com

IG: ErikReviewsVegas

RATING: Delicious ★★★★★

A stark landscape. Smoke fills the space.  Harsh vertical fluorescent lights. Images projected on the floor and wall. Foreboding music. This is the setting you encounter when you enter Majestic Repertory Theatre’s production of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. Set in the present day, or as it says in the program, “Right Here - Right Now,” we encounter the age-old tale - two households who have nothing but animosity for each other. Sound familiar?

Often seen as a love story, I have always maintained that this play should be considered a tragedy. And it’s wonderful to see that Director Troy Heard feels the same way. Under his direction, we get a somewhat politically charged, extremely raw production that pulls no punches and lets the play’s language convey the devastating consequences of all-consuming hatred.

Jackson Brooks Mellen is absolutely amazing as Romeo, with such honest emotion and charisma. Juliet, played by Gabrielle’s Lilly Collette, is a perfect match, giving us a beautiful performance full of passion and charm. You can’t help but love these two, which makes the tragedy even more heartbreaking. Aiding Juliet in her love is the Nurse, played by Amanda Guardado, and she’s a force to be reckoned with, giving strong support to the two leads. Erik Amblad as Capulet, the patriarch of the family, is great as the bloviating father, giving the character depth while still making him abhorrent. And Pierre A. Ciofassa is perfect as Mercutio, with the right attitude and swagger that you know will lead to trouble. I can’t say enough good things about the rest of the cast, who were all fantastic, though I would have liked to see more of Venus Cobb on stage, who seems to be barely in it.

As described above, the production design by Ace Halvorson really sets the tone, all elements tightly wound together for maximum effect. The sparse, utilitarian scene design (The Design Ninjas) leaves nothing to relieve your nerves, coupled with the harsh lighting (designed by Marcus Randolph) and the ominous sound (designed by Cory Covell), which amplify the bleakness. And tying it all together are the costumes (designed by Gabbie Kenny), which perfectly echoed the differing factions.

To be honest, going in, I expected the show to be more on-the-nose politically. It does start out with a pro- and anti-Trump scene, but all of that quickly falls into the background, leaving the underlying ignorance to speak for itself. And I think this was a very wise move on Heard’s part. By allowing Shakespeare’s language to flow, the universal truths come out loud and clear, and it’s amazing to see that words from over 500 years ago can still be relevant today. I was very moved by the end. If two people truly love each other, no matter who they are, how can that be bad? This is Shakespeare stripped down to its bare bones, and it’s a marvel to behold. What a great way to wrap up Majestic Repertory’s tenth season.

What: Romeo and Juliet  

When:  April 16 through May 24, Thursdays through Saturdays at 7 p.m., Sundays at 5 p.m.

Where: Majestic Repertory Theatre, 1217 S Main St, Las Vegas, NV 89104

Tickets (including fees)/website: General Admission - $42.45, Guests Under 21 - $22

www.majesticrepertory.com

RATING: Delicious ★★★★★

Director: Troy Heard; Intimacy Director: Sean Boyd; Production Stage Manager: Lauren Tannehill; Scenic Design: The Design Ninjas; Costume Design: Gabbie Kenny; Lighting Design: Marcus Randolph; Sound Design: Cory Covell; Production Design: Ace Halvorson; Asst. Stage Manager: Julia Osier; Directing Intern: Skylar Doran.