There’s two VERY different takes on the same Shakespeare play, “Romeo and Juliet,” in this year’s Fringe, and again, I had a hard time deciding between them, so I’m making them a two-fer on the list. One may strike your fancy more than the other, see what you think.
Taking them alphabetically, first we have
#15A – J & R
The Drama Experience
Venue: Mixed Blood
Show Description:
Romeo and Juliet presented for the HERE and NOW by the youth of today. This show brings out the raw and honest themes which have resonated for centuries. How are breaking the cycle and acceptance intertwined?
Can we treat each other like people instead of monsters in the closet?
Genre & Content: Drama
Warnings (nearly all of them, so strap in):
Adult Language, Blood, Loud Noises, Mental Illness, Violence, Flashing Lights, Abuse/Physical Violence, Gun/Weapon Usage, Suicidal Ideation/Self-Harm, Other Divisive Content
They had a Fringe preview that started with one person and grew into a mob onstage so give that a look for a taste of what’s in store:
The More Information tab on their Fringe show page gives some more insight into their company and approach:
The Drama Experience is the drama and theatre program at Nicollet Middle School in Burnsville, MN, that originated at Metcalf Junior High School. The Drama Experience strongly believes that every student contributes to multiple aspects of the program, and since we have no regular stage or storage, we build everything from the ground up. Over the years many amazing adult alumni have helped come back to contribute, but it is always the students who get to not only learn, but take ownership for everything they do for this program. To them, the reward of a well executed show to audience applause is nothing compared to the relationships built and memories made. Sure we love theatre, but what we love most is people.
And on the complete opposite end of the production scale, we go from a crowd of middle school students to a tiny ensemble of five mostly college students or recent grads in:
#15B - Romeo & Juliet: Lottery Style
Katherine Warmka
Venue: TRP
Show Description:
A barebones retelling of a Shakespearean classic. Romeo & Juliet: Lottery Style is full of unknown possibilities. 5 actors. 5 roles. Different every night. Not even the actors will know who's who until you do!
“Shakespeare’s plays don’t demand that you find the “prettiest” lady to play Juliet. They demand that you listen hard when Romeo tells you that Juliet is the sun.” - My Life with the Shakespeare Cult
In high school I was told to conform to my “type.” Going to college, I struggled to shake this off – I still do. Then I read this book for class, felt inspired, and so, Romeo and Juliet: Lottery Style was born! People getting together to create and share a story that’s unique to them. We’re all ingenues, hopeless romantics, best friends, mentors, enemies. We’re more than one type. We are complex.
Genre & Content:
Drama, Audience Participation, LGBTQIA+ Content, Shakespearian Elements
Warnings:
Crude Humor, Violence, Gun/Weapon Usage, Suicidal Ideation/Self-Harm, Abuse/Physical Violence
They have a video trailer that gives a sampling of their approach:
So, going off of context clues, since it isn’t explicitly spelled out, it looks like anyone can potentially play any role at any time in the story, depending on how the lottery of it all shakes out every night for each performance. But they’ve slimmed the whole thing down so they can do the story with just five actors.
Those who have heard me rant in the past might we wondering, “Hey, Matthew, since Romeo and Juliet is one of your least favorite Shakespeare plays, why are you so drawn to these to Fringe shows?” Good question. Probably because it looks like they’re going to tear the script apart and throw it at the wall and see what sticks? Also probably because I often enjoy Shakespeare’s way with words, regardless of the play. And, in both cases, it’s only an hour. Romeo and Juliet in small doses, if the approach is new and interesting in a Fringey sort of way, I can handle that.
Here’s some handy links to my Fringe Top 10, Top 11 to 20 and Returning Favorites lists for this year, as well as all the coverage of this year’s Minnesota Fringe Festival.
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