The Omicron Theatre Project Proudly Presents “Shakespeare’s R&J”

About the Show:
Four young prep school students, tired of going through the usual drill of conjugating Latin and other tedious school routines, decide to vary their very governed lives. After school, one breaks out a copy of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juiliet and they all take turns reading the play aloud. The Bard’s words and the story itself are thrilling to the boys and they become swept away, enmeshed in the emotion so much so that they break school rules in order to continue their readings. The rigidity of their lives begins to parallel the lives of the characters in the play: roles in the family, roles in society and the roles played by men and women soon seem to make all the sense in the world, and then, suddenly, they seem to make no sense at all. Although they had been taking turns playing all the parts, two eventually emerge playing Romeo and Juliet exclusively, bringing a whole new dimension to the proceedings. Perceptions and understanding are turned upside down as the fun of play acting turns serious and the words and meanings begin to hit home and universal truths emerge.

What’s Been Said

“SHAKESPEARE’S R&J, a vibrant, hot-blooded new adaptation of Romeo and Juiliet… pulsates with an adolescent abandon and electricity of which Romeo himself might approve.” - NY Times

“R&J is a gem, the most inventive reimagining of a classic in years.” - Wall Street Journal

“It’s a passionately energetic, thoroughly absorbing show that is as much about the forbidden love between men as about the taboo love between young people from enemy families…R&J really resonates.” - NY Newsday

“Joe Calarco’s new deconstruction of Romeo and Juiliet…goes to show - the right hands can do nothing wrong to Shakespeare… We shall doubtless hear further from Calarco…” -NY Post

“Calarco sets the lush, lyrical story of doomed lovers in the repressed atmosphere of a modern Catholic boarding school. The result… is brave and original.” - NY Daily News

About The Omicron Theatre Project

The Omicron Theatre Project was founded in the Spring of 2003 by students in the Theatre Department at Bloomsburg University. Since then, OTP has garnered critical acclaim for its world premieres and cutting edge productions, all focusing on the raw, intimate power of the theatre. Some previous awards and distinctions given to company productions or members are: Production Invitation to the American College Theatre Festival, Finalist for the National Playwrighting Award from the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Nominations, Residencies at the Williamstown Theatre Festival and the Kennedy Center, and two National Commendations in Acting from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Productions have included: “Night of the Wannabes: An Exorcism” (World Premiere), “American Buffalo,” “The Laramie Project,” “Angels in America” and others.

WHAT: The Omicron Theatre Project, in association with the Theatre Outlet proudly present Shakespeare’s R&J adapted by Joe Calarco and directed by J.C. Lee.

WHEN: Nov. 3rd-12th at 8pm (Except for 3pm Sunday Matinees)

WHERE: The Theatre Outlet
930 N. 4th Street
Allentown, PA
610-820-9440
www.theatreoutlet.org

TICKETING: Please visit www.theatreoutlet.org for ticket pricing and information. All Box Office inquiries (arranging group trips, etc…) must be handled by the Theatre Outlet’s Box Office: 610-820-9440