Futuristic Romeo & Juliet Stays True to the Past

A View from the Cliff blog

BY CLIFF KASDEN

Friday, January 29, 2010 11:19 AM EST

While it may be an oxymoron, the Secret Theatre and the resident Queens Players of Long Island City have adopted a futuristic premise for Shakespeare’s classic tragedy. Yet they have maintained his 16th century language. Should the audience take the bait?

At Friday evening’s performance, towering but ambiguous murals of pillared structures could have been forums from Shakespeare’s era or burned out futuristic edifices. Only a balcony steals the audience’s gaze from eye level in this three sided “theatre in the round.”

A deliberately choppy pre-curtain fictional “documentary” film alludes to the world’s demise in a bleak future. Handouts offer the end of the world, chronologically detailed. Blackout. Lights. Welcome to Shakespeare in a 21st century Armageddon.

Director Gregory Cicchino and Artistic Director/Producer Richard Mazda offer more contradictions. At least four male roles are deftly handled by women. They are Friar Lawrence (Katie Braden), Tybalt (Shelleen Kostabi), Lord Montague (Kathryn Neville Browne) and Abraham (Jeni Ahlfeld). Costumes are neither clearly modern nor strictly ancient.

Romeo (Justin Randolph) is a young man of extremes. He is whiny, fickle and love struck. Then he becomes a murderer almost out of necessity. This includes his own death. His Juliet (Jessica Russell) reminds us that the star crossed lovers were teens. She is insecure, comedic, rebellious and determined. Mercutio (Dan Smith) swaggers and falls with irreverence and irony.

Supporting players and tech support too numerous to mention by name seem to savor the eerie atmosphere and constant, deliberate ambiguity. So did I.

As part of the Long Island City Arts Center located at 44-02 23rd St., the Secret Theatre consists of the larger Big Secret and a more intimate Little Secret Theatre. For seats to Romeo and Juliet, which runs through February 6 at the Big Secret, call (718) 392-0722, or surf to www.secrettheatre.com or www.thequeensplayers.com

EVENTS CALENDAR

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Todays Events

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Iannis Xenakis: Composer, Architect, Visionary

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March 19th, 2010

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March 24th, 2010

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Reader Comments

The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of queenscourier.com.

Blake Clarke wrote on Jan 29, 2010 1:18 PM:

" Do call this a review? No where in your rambling "book report" do you state a real opinion about the production!

What did you think of the performances? Direction? Sets?

You sir are a lousy critic and deserve to write for the mediocre Queens Courier! "

Cindy wrote on Jan 29, 2010 2:57 PM:

" As always Mr. Cliff Kasden takes a positive slant on queens performers. Romeo and Juliet sounds like something I would be interested in. "

Rebecca wrote on Jan 29, 2010 3:02 PM:

" I thought Romeo & Juliet would be boring. Cliff makes it sound exciting. Who Knew!

LOL "

sandyv wrote on Jan 29, 2010 5:06 PM:

" I was pleasantly surprised with this well acted performance. All the actors were very good in their roles and the twist on Romeo & Juliet by Shakespeare was quite interesting. This is a really good troupe and I would certainly attend other plays they will perform. Another plus for Queens theater groups! "

Gail E. wrote on Jan 29, 2010 6:59 PM:

" It's always exciting when Shakespeare is given a new twist. "Romeo & Juliet" has been done and redone to the point where audience members can practically recite the lines along with the performers. Taking a chance and presenting it in a different way is a bold and innovative move! "

maxine v. wrote on Feb 4, 2010 6:11 PM:

" To B. Clarke: If you think the Queens Courier is "mediocre" why do you read it? Cliff's reviews are very informative and well written. Based on his reviews I continue to go to many productions. You, sir, are mistaken in your comments and I suggest you stick with the New York Times since you do not appreciate
the local Queens paper and their very fine critic in Cliff. By the way, reread his blog - he does talk about the sets!!!!!!! "

Roberta wrote on Feb 4, 2010 6:27 PM:

" I normally do not comment on the Queens Courier blogs but, Mr. "Blake Clarke," what's your problem? Mr. Kasden's reviews are a staple of the Queens Courier. Both he and The Courier are far from "mediocre." I have lived in Bayside for many years, and have seen The Courier grow from a small "throw-away" to the most respected and informative paper in the area. In addition, I have relied on Mr. Kasden's reviews to guide me in my choices, first in restaurants, now in community theatre. Perhaps Mr. "Clarke's" anger would be better directed elsewhere. "

richard mazda wrote on Feb 5, 2010 2:23 AM:

" Mr Clarke,

The full review appears in the printed version of the paper. I feel that your criticism of Cliff is really rather harsh. As a struggling theatre company we are grateful for any review and not all of ours are always uniformly good. It so happens that Cliff's full review contains far more descriptions of the performance and certainly qualifies as a bonifide review.

I hope you come and check out The Secret. "

sandy v wrote on Feb 7, 2010 10:28 AM:

" Blake - aside from your negative and inaccurate comments regarding both the Courier and Mr. Kasden, your time might be better spent reading what you write prior to sending it in. You omitted the word you and nowhere is one word. Good thing YOU are not writing for the Queens Courier! "