Event

Romeo and Juliet

These violent delights have violent ends! NHS Theater takes on the eternal questions plaguing teenagers in a modern interpretation of Shakespeares classic tale of young love and ancient rivalry: when is a child not a child? How do we step into adulthood? Whats too soon? Whats too late? Whats too dangerous? Whats too beautiful?
Director Stephen Eldredge and a cast and crew of 30 NHS students have spent the past five months re-imagining the world of the play to suit the generation of Juliets, Tybalts, Mercutios and Romeos taking the stage in todays Globe-al theater. While the text of the play is unaltered, the visual world is a hash of old and new: classic stone arches vie for attention with skateboards and swing sets; the graffiti-inspired artwork of Banksy compliments the exposed brick back wall of the NHS auditorium stage. Diana Paradise and Fletcher Sotos costume designs are neo-grunge inspired, while young duelers fight with any object that comes to hand: shopping carts, plumbing parts and barbed wire necklaces all find their place in this vibrant urban landscape. The actors have made their own decisions about the gender identities and preferences of the characters they play, giving us a new twist on classic romance and immersing us in a world that, in Shakespeares words, hold(s)... the mirror up to nature show(s) virtue her own feature, scorn her own image, and the very age and body of the time his form and pressure. Paul Kinsmans music composition students have composed an original score to accompany the action; there will never be another Romeo & Juliet like this one - see it before its too late!