Wondering whether the curse of Shakespeare’s Scottish play is real? Just ask the cast of The Coronado Playhouse’s “Romeo and Juliet,” which is now certain that the curse, laid upon those who utter the title of Shakespeare’s famous tragedy about the king of Scotland (hint: rhymes with “black death”), is indeed real.
Two weeks before opening night, one luckless actor let the dreaded word slip, and before rehearsal the next day, a fire sprinkler malfunctioned, drenching The Coronado Playhouse theater in a downpour that lasted for 30 minutes.
“Fortunately no one was up on the stage,” producer Mary Anderson said. “Otherwise, someone could have easily gotten hurt.”
Juliet (Juliana Rotta) embraces Romeo (Anthony Misiano) during The Coronado Playhouse’s production of William Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ the tragic tale of two star-crossed lovers.
For the last two years, while a new theater was being constructed just 100 feet from the old facility along the Silver Strand, the Coronado Playhouse was located in a temporary tent in Coronado called the Pavilion.
“Romeo and Juliet” was to be the company’s first Shakespearean production in the new theater. However, the recent flooding resulted in a frantic relocation back to the Pavilion, where conditions are not quite as swanky for the actors.
“We were spoiled at the new theater,” said Eva Kvaas, who plays Lady Capulet.
Curses and inconveniences aside, the cast appears to be having a great time coping with this unforeseen washout as they depict some of Shakespeare’s more famous characters.
Jeffrey James Lippold delivers a saucy interpretation as Romeo’s friend Mercutio, thrusting his hips with self-satisfied innuendo. Rapiers abound as the cast engages in a handful of swordfights that at one point involves an entire group of swashbuckling Capulets and Montagues.
This otherwise traditional retelling of the famous romantic tragedy utilizes a modern language text – certain archaic or obsolete words have been clarified for a modern audience – without sacrificing Shakespeare’s distinct style.
External-industrial appearances aside, the Pavilion provides a pleasant venue for “Romeo and Juliet.” It is a relaxed, informal affair where the audience is welcome to mix and mingle with the cast after the play. The Coronado Bay setting is pleasant in this balmy weather, and the theater doors are left open during the performance to allow a nice cross-breeze.
Making the best of a bad situation, The Coronado Playhouse has bounced back from its own mini-tragedy without a hitch. Some curses may be a blessing in disguise.
-‘Romeo and Juliet’ plays at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays now until Sept. 24. Admission is free for the entire run of the production, and tickets are available in advance at www.coronadoplayhouse.com.
Read the original article at The Daily Aztec.