The Shakespeare classic “Romeo and Juliet” receives a modern makeover — the New Jersey shore in 1980 — in Lawrence University’s production of the timeless love story.
The play will be performed at 8 p.m. Thursday (10/29), Friday (10/30) and Sunday (11/1) with a 3 p.m. matinee on Saturday (10/31) in Lawrence’s Cloak Theatre in the Music-Drama Center, 420 E. College Ave., Appleton. Tickets, at $10 for adults and $5 for senior citizens and students, are available at the Lawrence Box Office, 920-832-6749.
Transporting the young, star-crossed lovers to 1980, the 80-minute production exchanges balconies for wrought-iron fire escapes, rapiers for golf clubs and crow bars and classical music for Top 40 hits, including Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, Elvis Costello and more.
Originally created for school audiences and performed by the Milwaukee Shakespeare Company in 2002, this version is the combined work of Timothy X. Troy, Lawrence professor of theatre arts John Maclay, a 1994 Lawrence graduate.
“The idea for the production design began many years ago in discussions between myself and (technical director) Dave Owens about our mutual love of Springsteen music and the working class culture of that time and place. Eventually, we decided that the idea was just crazy enough to work,” explained Troy, who will direct the play. “We looked at photos of the Jersey Shore and used them as a visual landscape for the play, including weathered lifeguard stands, graffiti, neon signs and over-grown pylons on the water’s edge.”
The production’s sound design by Troy evokes the popular music of the time that matches the major themes of the play.
“At the party scene where Romeo and Juliet meet, they’re dancing to Earth, Wind & Fire,” said Troy.
A set designed by Troy and Owens and costumes designed by Emily Rohm-Gilmore, a 2001 Lawrence graduate, adds to the modern effect created by the 1980 setting of the Elizabethan play.
The production features seniors Conner Lewis and Caroline Mandler in the title roles as Romeo and Juliet, respectively. Mercutio is played by junior Samuel Flood, Tybalt by junior Andi Rudd and Lord Capulet by junior Kyle Brauer.
In addition to the four performances for the community, the cast will offer three matinees specifically for students from Appleton East, North and West high schools, The Academy charter school and Marian College.
