Bring on the romance! William Shakespeare wrote Romeo and Juliet in 1597, and it still spurs desire and romance, especially when skillfully directed by Mark Lamos and starring a stellar cast at the Westport Country Playhouse in Westport, Connecticut. A lavish set, sumptuous costumes, performances by a gifted cast make this play a shining star of the 2017 season at the Westport Country Playhouse and one that you will not want to miss. The play runs until November 19, 2017.

James Cusati-Moyer (Romeo), Nicole Rodenburg (Juliet)
Romeo and Juliet

When Shakespeare wrote his play Romeo and Juliet 420 years ago in 1597, we wonder if he foresaw how his words would influence future generations. A romantic story of epic proportion of ill-fated, star-crossed lovers, Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, continues to captivate hearts, stir the imagination, touch the soul, and spur desire. Its impact endures whenever and wherever it is performed, as well as having an impact on contemporary plays, including playwright Arthur Laurents' West Side Story.

The Cast of Romeo and Juilet 

On Saturday, November 4, 2017, director Mark Lamos, together with scenic designer Michael Yeargan, costume designer Fabian Fidel Aguilar, a dedicated crew, and a fabulously talented cast, transported the audience to Verona, Italy with its lavish production of Romeo and Juliet, and we were fortunate to be there as the story unfolded around us.

Alison Cimmet (Capulet's WIfe), Felicity Jones Latta (Nurse)
Nicole Rudenburg (Juliet)
Romeo and Juliet

The New York Post wrote that "Mark Lamos is among the finest Shakespearean directors in the world," and having seen his prior plays, as well as his 2016 production of Camelot at the WCP and his current production of Romeo and Juliet, we have to agree, adding that he is a "director's director" whether directing a musical, a comedy, or a dramatic play, he always elicits the very best from his cast and delivers strong performances that would make the playwrights proud.

James Cusati-Moyer (Romeo), Nicole Rudenburg (Juliet)
Romeo and Juliet

For Romeo and Juliet, Fabian Fidel Aguilar designed sumptuously elaborate period costumes that gave an extravagant feel to the performance, along with a stunning set designed by Michael Yeargan, and intricately choreographed sword fights by Michael Rossmy, that added to the excitement.

James Cusati-Moyer (Romeo), Nicole Rudenburg (Juliet)

Romeo and Juliet 

The large cast was extremely well-chosen with many heavy hitters with extensive Shakespearian plays and Broadway credits under their acting belts including Triney Sanfoval as Capulet, Peter Francis James as Friar Laurence, J. Kenneth Campbell as Escalus, Chris Bolan as Montague/Apothecary, James Cusati-Moyer as Romeo, Dave Register as Tybalt, Jim Ludlum as Samson, the lovely Nicole Rodenburg as the fair Juliet, and newcomer Tyler Fauntleroy, a recent graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, who proved his mettle in the role of Benvolio.

Nicole Rudenburg (Juliet), Peter Fancis James (Friar Laurence),
James Cusati-Moyer (Romeo)
Romeo and Juliet

Returning to the Westport Country Playhouse was Allison Cimmet (She Loves Me) in the role Capulet's Wife, Patrick Andrews, (Camelot, Red), who nailed his role as the outrageous Mercutio, and Felicity Jones Latta (The Diary of Anne Frank, Broken Glass), the role of Nurse, whose perfect comedic timing brought down the house with her delivery.

Since its opening in 1931, the Westport Country Playhouse has consistently rewarded theatregoers with spectacularly produced plays with exceptional casts; Romeo and Juliet continued the legacy, and was the perfect finale to the 2017 season. Bravo!

Performance Information:

Romeo and Juliet Cast:

The Creative Team:

Watch a short video of the actors speaking about the play: http://www.westportplayhouse.org/romeo-and-juliet-videos

Romeo and Juliet performance schedule is Tuesday at 7:00 pm., Wednesday at 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm, Thursday and Friday at 8:00 pm., Saturday at 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm. and Sunday at 3:00 pm.  Special series feature Taste of Tuesday, LGBT Night OUT, Opening Night, Sunday Symposium, Open Captions, Thursday TalkBack, Together at the Table Family Dinner, Playhouse Happy Hour, and Backstage Pass. 

For information on the play or to purchase tickets, please call the box office at 203-227-4177 or call the toll-free number at 888-927-7529, or visit them on the website at www.WestportPlayhouse.org.

The Westport Country Playhouse Box Office is open during Performance Days Tuesday through Friday from 12:00 pm until 8:30 pm, Saturday from 11:00 am until 8:30 pm, Sunday from 11:00 am until 3:30 pm, and is closed on Monday. Non-Performance Days, the Box Office is open Tuesday through Friday from 12:00 pm until 6:00 pm, and is closed on Monday.

The Westport Country Playhouse named as "Theatre Company of the Year" in December 2013 by The Wall Street Journal, opened in the 1930s in a transformed 1835 cow barn, which has, and continues to attract, a "who's who" of prominent actors. Looking at the framed posters of past shows that line the lobby walls was like entering an encyclopedia of the arts. A few of the many renowned actors who have appeared on the stage there include Ethyl Barrymore, Dorothy and Lillian Gish, Tallulah Bankhead, Gloria Swanson, Don Ameche, Hume Cronin and Jessica Tandy, Jane Fonda, Danny Aiello, Blythe Danner, Jill Clayburgh, Richard Dreyfus, Whoopi Goldberg, Liza Minnelli, Bernadette Peters, Lynn Redgrave, Gene Wilder, and Westport residents Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman.

"Westport Country Playhouse, a not-for-profit theater, serves as a cultural nexus for patrons, artists and students and is a treasured resource for the State of Connecticut.  There are no boundaries to the creative thinking for future seasons or the kinds of audiences and excitement for theater that Westport Country Playhouse can build."

For information on upcoming events and other performances, please visit the website: www.WestportPlayhouse.org.

Upcoming Performances - 2017

Family Festivities Performances - 2017 - 2018

Upcoming Performances - 2018

Special Event

Westport Country Playhouse  

25 Powers Court

Westport, Connecticut 06880
United States

Box Office:         +1-203-227-4177

Toll-Free:           +1-888-927-7529

Fax:                    +1-203-454-3239

Box Office:         +1-203-227-4177

Website:             www.WestportPlayhouse.org

Facebook:           www.Facebook/WestportCountryPlayhouse

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