Romeo & Juliet

Synopsis

Shakespeare Orange County's groundbreaking multicultural reimagining of the 1595 tragedy united elements rarely seen together in Shakespeare staging. Co-directors Mike Peebler and John Walcutt envisioned the classic story as a multicultural melting pot featuring Anglo, Mexican, and Vietnamese cultures, fused with 20th- and 21st-century music and dance. The innovative production included a traditional quinceañera for the Capulet party, contemporary music throughout (including "We Are the Champions," "La Bamba," and "Uptown Funk"), and authentic Mexican dances performed by the 24-member dance troupe Relámpago Del Cielo.

Impressions

Being part of Shakespeare Orange County's revolutionary Romeo & Juliet was an extraordinary introduction to professional Shakespeare and multicultural theater innovation. This production, which received glowing coverage in the Orange County Register, demonstrated how classical texts can be revitalized through bold contemporary vision while maintaining Shakespeare's emotional truth. Working as First Citizen and understudying the Nurse under co-directors Mike Peebler and John Walcutt taught me about ensemble work in large-scale professional productions and the responsibility of being prepared to step into major roles. The multicultural approach required understanding how different cultural traditions could enhance rather than compete with Shakespeare's original intentions. Observing Dianne Manaster's acclaimed performance as the Nurse while preparing the understudy taught me invaluable lessons about creating fully realized characters within Shakespeare's framework. The production's use of contemporary music, hip-hop elements, and authentic cultural dance showed me how Shakespeare can speak to modern, diverse audiences without losing its classical power. Working alongside the 24-member Relámpago Del Cielo dance troupe taught me about collaborative artistry and how different performance traditions can enhance theatrical storytelling. The amphitheater setting, with action extending into aisles and upper platforms, required adaptability and spatial awareness beyond traditional stage work. This production confirmed my passion for Shakespeare and multicultural theater, showing how professional companies can honor classical text while creating fresh, culturally relevant experiences that attract new audiences to the Bard's work.

Press

Orange County Register (July 15, 2015) - "SOC's production accomplishes two likely goals: attracting and winning over new audiences toward the works of the Bard of Avon, and reaffirming his monumental greatness as a dramatist."