By Mary Ann Bourbeau
RED BANK – When playwright Hansol Jung thought about translating Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” into contemporary text, she was told it would likely never be produced because the story is too famous. But with a commission from the Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s Play On! Project, she embarked on the project, which in 2020 then became part of the Two River Theater’s Two River Rising online reading series.
“I was invested in every line, what it means and how audible it would be to Shakespeare novices,” said Jung. “I wanted the audience to be able to not only understand the language but feel the feelings at the speed of the spoken text.”
Now Jung’s “Romeo and Juliet” is set for its world premiere as a fully-staged play from April 8-30 at the Two River Theater with an all-Asian cast, produced in partnership with the National Asian American Theatre Company (NAATCO). The biggest part of the project, said Jung, was translating the play into modern verse.
Jung, who wrote the critically acclaimed “Wolf Play” and “Wild Goose Dreams,” among others, is also staging “Romeo and Juliet” in the round, a first for The Two River Theater. The pit has been lifted up a level to allow chairs on stage, completing a circle around the actors.
“Shakespeare never staged his shows in a proscenium,” said Jung, referencing the frame or arch above the stage through which the action of a play is viewed.
Jung got the idea to present the play in the round after inviting high school students to a workshop reading of her translation of “Romeo and Juliet.” She arranged the chairs in a circle and watched how they reacted.
“A lot of Shakespeare is spoken to the audience and involves the audience,” she said. “In the round, I felt like it was really on fire, helping the kids to lean in and have a relationship with the play.”
Jung will co-direct the classic story of two star-crossed lovers along with Dustin Wills (“Wolf Play,” “Cymbeline”),with original music by Brian Quijada (“Undesirables,” “Dragon Baby”). Their version takes on Shakespeare’s classic tale as more than just a tragedy, reflecting the joy, romance and, quite notably, the humor of the characters’ youthful energy and passion.
“This blend of Shakespeare’s greatest love story with propulsive verse from the pen of one of America’s most formidable playwrights in Hansol Jung will make you see, hear and feel this timeless epic in a whole new light,” said Two River Theater artistic director Justin Waldman.
The show stars Major Curda (Broadway’s “KPOP,” TV’s “Riverdale”) as Romeo and Dorcas Leung (“Miss Saigon” on Broadway, “Hamilton” national tour) as Juliet, along with Purva Bedi as Friar Laurence; Jose Gamo as Mercutio; Brian Lee Huynh as Capulet; Zion Jang as Benvolio; Mia Katigbak as the Nurse; Rob Kellogg as Paris/Tybalt and Daniel Liu as Peter/Lady Capulet.
Tickets are $40-$70 with discounts available for groups, seniors, veterans and military personnel and their families. All onstage seating is $30 and tickets for patrons under 35 are $25. For tickets or more information, call 732-345-1400 or visit tworivertheater.org.
On Wednesday, April 12 at 5:45 p.m., the Two River Theater will present an “In the Know” discussion with artistic director Justin Waldman, including a Q&A with the creative team of “Romeo and Juliet.” Light refreshments will be served.
The performance at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 15 will be “fragrance free” for those with allergies to scents. The 3 p.m. performance on Saturday, April 29 will have both open caption and audio description available. Tickets are $25 for patrons using these services.
Immediately following the show’s closing in Red Bank, NAATCO, in partnership with the Two River Theater, will present the production Off-Broadway at the Classic Stage Company from May 9 to June 3. More information is available at naatco.org.
The article originally appeared in the April 6 – 12, 2023 print edition of The Two River Times.
