Romeo and Juliet- By William Shakespeare . Adapted by Nathan Weinberger and Paata Tsikurishvili
- Directed by Paata Tsikurishvili . Choreographed by Irina Tsikurishvili
- Produced by Synetic Theater
- Reviewed by Gary McMillan
Paata and Irina Tsikurishvili once again render Shakespeare speechless, this time in a mesmerizing retelling of Romeo and Juliet, the archetypal tale of star-crossed lovers.
A massive clockwork set designed by Anastasia Simes fills the stage with cogs and gears from floor to rafters with a massive pendulum at center. Time is marked by the machine and moves mechanically onward, just as fate unwinds mechanistically and mercilessly. The precision lighting by Colin K. Bills adds to the eerie “ghost in the machine” feel. As the show opens, Konstantine Lortkipanidze is silhouetted at center stage and climbs to his tower where he serves as maestro of this sad tale. He floods the theater with the relentless tick of the clock, the beat of the pulse and his original and haunting music.
Without words, the action of the story takes precedence over the political and social subtext of the play. As we’ve come to expect with Synetic Theater, the direction and choreography are dazzling throughout, especially capturing the sportive mischievousness of Romeo and his cohort and the grandeur and indignation of the Capulets. The dance at the masked ball is astonishing, a whirling dervish of intricacy and intrigue. The fight scenes are breath-catching, heart-stopping thrill rides. A high point of the evening is the flirtatious, romping confrontation between Marissa Molnar (Juliet’s Nurse) and Philip Fletcher (Romeo’s friend, Mercutio), who one hopes will be on hand for some future production of Taming of the Shrew.
Ben Cunis and Courtney Pauroso are the young lovers, played simply and sweetly, avoiding histrionics or maudlin moping. Their most poignant scene is closest to the end where Romeo, believing Juliet is dead, dances a macabre ballet with his corpse bride.
The atmosphere of the production is richly enhanced by the daring costumes (Anastasia Simes). Paris, the family-approved suitor, in stark white, Juliet in blue, the Nurse in green camisole with white evening gloves. And the Capulets in leather and silk, black and gold and silver. Every detail exquisite.
Brush up your Shakespeare. Or better yet, dust off your Shakespeare by catching Synetic’s extraordinary rendering of the play.
- Running Time: 1:20
- When: Thru March 8th. Thurs – Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 3 pm
- Where: Rosslyn Spectrum, Rosslyn, VA
- Tickets: $30 – $35. Child and Senior tickets available.
- Info: Visit the website