An Age Old Romance Comes to Life in a New Way in Unique Chelsea Production of Romeo and Juliet

Special to the Transcript

The age-old vendetta between the Capulets and the Montagues erupts this August in Chelsea Square. Shakespeare’s beloved romantic tragedy will be staged in the streets, parks, and by the fountain, as well as in the windows of the Chelsea Theatre Works. Audiences will move with and be creators of the action of this immersive production.

The evening begins at 6:00 with Live Music, Street Performances, and Craft Brews at the pop-up BearMoose Beer Garden on Winnisimmet Street by the Chelsea Theatre Works. Guests are encouraged to enjoy dinner via take-out or delivery from Chelsea’s exciting culinary delights.  Romeo & Juliet, performed in a bilingual adaptation (English/Spanish), begins in front of the Chelsea Theatre Works at 7:45. The production is designed to engage English speaking and Spanish speaking audiences alike.

Composer Demetrius Fuller, best know to Apollinaire audiences for his compositions for Chelsea People, is creating the soundtrack for the production, which he will perform live with musicians Nate Fuller and Emi Nishida. Sound Designer/Music Director David Reiffel rounds out the musical team. This is David’s 25th show with Apollinaire- standouts include A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Norton nominee- Outstanding Fringe Production) and A Beautiful Day… and Stupid F***ing Bird (Norton winners- Outstanding Fringe Production).  His work has also been heard coast to coast from the Oregon Shakespeare Festival to Boston’s SpeakEasy Stage and Commonwealth Shakespeare Company. He won the Norton award for Outstanding Musical Direction. 

The cast of 25 is helmed by newcomers Mishka Yarovoy and Emma Laird, both current BFA students at Boston University, as Romeo and Juliet, and Apollinaire favorites Brooks Reeves (The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Three Sisters)  as Friar Lawrence and Ann Carpenter (The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart, The Visit, Uncle Vanya) as the Nurse. This production also features Alan Kuang as Tybalt, Sandra Seone-Serí as Benvolio, Ethan Williams as Mercutio, Paola Ferrer as the Prince, and Karina Beleno Carney and Phil Thompson as Lady and Lord Capulet.

Performances are FREE!

(No pre-registration required)

Performances are Saturdays August 14, 21, 28 • Free! • Sat. @ 7:45

In case of rain: 617-887-2336 • Rain dates: Sundays Aug. 15, 22, 29 & Mon. Aug. 30

Pre-show begins at 6:00 â€¢ BearMoose Beer Garden opens at 6:00/

Chelsea Square • in the park & street by the

Chelsea Theatre Works, 189 Winnisimmet Street, Chelsea

The production will move through the street and the park with some scenes in the windows of the Chelsea Theatre Works. Audiences will be on their feet following and joining the action. Run-time is about 90 minutes.

Press Night: Saturday August 14, 7:45 (pre-show begins at 6:00)

(Press are also welcome at all performances.)

Information/Directions/Parking Information: www.apollinairetheatre.com

In case of rain, call (617) 887-2336 to check status. Rain dates: Sundays Aug. 15, 22, 29 & Mon. Aug. 30

Cast: Alan Kuang, Amber March, Ann Carpenter, Ashley Lyon, Beatrice Beutel, Brooks Reeves, Demetrius Fuller, Dylan C. Wack, Eliana Ulloa, Emma Laird, Ethan Williams, Fernando Barbosa, Gayane Kaligian, Jaime Hernandez, Karina Beleno Carney, Katie Ryan, Kevin McGrath, Laura Hubbard, Luz Lopez, Makhamahle Kekana, Mikhail Yarovoy, Paola M. Ferrer (Atehortua), Phil Thompson, Sandra Seoane-Serí, Yaritsa Sanchez

Directed by Danielle Fauteux Jacques

Asst. Directors Brooks Reeves, Carla Mirabal Rodríguez

Major Support from MassDevelopment, The City of Chelsea, Chelsea Heritage Grant Celebrations, and the Chelsea Cultural Council. Sponsorship support from MassPort.