by William Shakespeare
directed by Claudia Bach
This production started out in-person, and transitioned to a live, online format due to COVID-19 safety precautions.
The Rude Mechanicals present Romeo & Juliet, a tale of high-stakes, forbidden love in the era of Don’t-Ask-Don’t Tell. Two young women attempt to navigate their culture, their family’s expectations, prejudices, and their own feelings to tragic and disastrous results.
Performances
Performances LIVE on August 15-16, 2020 at youtube.com/c/TheRudeMechanicals
From the director’s notes
I wanted to explore how we overlook and miss the voices of young people. There is a striking lack of trust and communication between the young people in this community and the adults, and the consequences are dire. What does it mean for two young women, living in a town so small they’re practically isolated, to learn something about themselves — their love for each other — that suddenly makes them an Other? Alienated from the few people around them, who would they go to? Who would they trust? Suddenly, as the grapple not only with their secret infatuation but with the secret of their own identities, we can feel the full weight of the stakes Shakespeare is presenting to us, and the story begins to shed new light on what it is to love others and yourself.
Read the full notes and program here.
Reviews
“The Rude Mechanicals brought passion and creative energy to their Zoom production.
–Melissa Site, Greenbelt News Review
Claudia H. Bach 