Romeo & Juliet opens September 14th
in Oklahoma Shakespeare's Outdoor Theater
Romeo & Juliet opens September 14th!
Staged in Oklahoma Shakespeare's Outdoor Theater
OKLAHOMA SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK ANNOUNCES OPENING OF "Romeo & Juliet" by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE.
***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
September 5, 2023 (Oklahoma City, OK)—Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park announces "Romeo & Juliet" making it's return to the Oklahoma Shakespeare stage for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, opening September 14th, and running through September 24th, 2023 – only 8 performances! Staged in the company’s beautiful new outdoor theater, The Shakespeare Gardens, located in the refurbished grounds behind our building at 2920 Paseo, Oklahoma City, OK 73103.
The production is directed by OU Professor and long-time Oklahoma Shakespeare collaborator, Alissa Branch, who most recently directed the 2021 production of Pride & Prejudice. Tickets are on sale on the website www.okshakes.org
The story follows upon the heels of our recent production of “Shakespeare in Love” which chronicled the creation of Romeo & Juliet; and follows the two famous star-crossed lovers as they fall in love, navigate their family’s strife, and ultimately, pay the price for a forbidden love with their very lives.
A new addition to the piece is that of live music, in the character of “The Travelling Player” embodied by Nate Borofsky, who composed original music for the piece. Plenty of swordfights, choreographed by Oklahoma Shakespeare Executive Producer, Tyler Woods; costumes by OU Professor Lloyd Cracknell; scenic design by Edward Morris; lighting by Clara Wiebe, and props by Brittany Atkins round out the creative team.
"This season is a love letter to Shakespeare, and we invite our patrons to come out and fall in love all over again. Romeo & Juliet is the natural fit in this season by and about Shakespeare. We are sure all lovers of the bard – and those new to his work – will be inspired and transported by this production." said Executive Producer Tyler Woods.
The cast includes veteran OSP actors Bell Reeves (2023’s Much Ado About Nothing “Hero”) as Juliet and newcomer Jose Antonio Otero as Romeo; also returning are Equity actor, Elizabeth Ann Townsend (2021’s Pride & Prejudice, “Mrs. Bennet”) as Nurse, Nicholas Bartell (OSP Young Company director & local actor/educator) as Friar Lawrence, Justin Marlow (2023’s Shakespeare in Love, “Lord Wessex”) as Mercutio, Kamron McClure (2021’s Pride & Prejudice, “Mr. Darcy”) as Tybalt, Karis McMurry (2023’s Jane Austen’s Christmas Cracker, “Jane Austen”) as Benvolio, Karam Alkhatib (2023’s Shakespeare in Love, “Ralph”), and Lindsey Rollins (2023’s Jane Austen’s Christmas Cracker, “Cassandra Austen”) as The Prince; the cast is rounded out with OSP newcomers David Robert Weber as Lord Capulet, Sarah De Yong as Lady Capulet, Kim Zahller as Montague, and Nate Borofsky as The Travelling Player/Music Composer.
ROMEO & JULIET, by William Shakespeare
Where: Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park
Address: 2920 Paseo, Oklahoma City, OK 73103
Theater: Outdoors in The Shakespeare Gardens
When: September 14 – 24, 2023
Time: Thursday and Sundays 7:30pm Fridays and Saturdays 8:00pm
Tickets: www.okshakes.org
Rated: PG-13 for scenes of violence and suicide.
A Capital Campaign for the Shakespeare Gardens continues. Patrons and Donors have the opportunity to sponsor aspects of the outdoor venue such as benches and trees.
To support Oklahoma Shakespeare’s new venue, make a donation at okshakes.org/donate. Contributions are accepted online, over the phone and via mail: Oklahoma Shakespeare 2920 Paseo, Oklahoma City, OK 73103.
Facebook: @OklahomaShakespeare
Twitter: @OKShakespeare
Instagram: @okshakespeare
#OklahomaShakespeare #RomeoandJuliet #PaseoArtsDistrict
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About Oklahoma Shakespeare:
Founded in 1985 by Executive/Artistic Director Kathryn McGill and the late Jack O'Meara, Oklahoma Shakespeare has been bringing first-rate professional productions of Shakespeare and the classics to life in Central Oklahoma for 38 seasons. This season's shows will be performed outdoors in The Shakespeare Gardens and indoors at our newly renovated space in the Historic Paseo Arts District. The organization's educational outreach programs help Shakespeare come alive for students and teachers in classrooms throughout the state. OS is supported by the Oklahoma Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts, Allied Arts, The Inasmuch Foundation, the Kirkpatrick Family Fund, OCCF, and The Carolyn Watson Rural Oklahoma Community Foundation. Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park is a proud member of Actors' Equity.
Media Contact:
Tyler Woods
tyler@okshakes.org | 405-235-3700