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Romeo and Juliet

  • Aug 31, 2024 - Oct 6, 2024

  • Loeb Drama Center

  • Run Time: 2 hours and 45 minutes, including one intermission

  • Run Time

    2 hours and 45 minutes, including one intermission

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A stunning production…compelling from beginning to end. This is a perfect moment for this show.

Jared Bowen, GBH

Rudy Pankow (“Outer Banks”) and Emilia Suárez (“Up Here”) lead the cast in A.R.T.’s heart-pounding new production of Romeo and Juliet that features Terrence Mann (Pippin at A.R.T. and on Broadway; Beauty and the Beast on Broadway) as Friar Laurence.

A.R.T. Terrie and Bradley Bloom Artistic Director and Tony Award-winning director Diane Paulus (Becoming a Man, Jagged Little Pill, Waitress) reunites with two-time Olivier Award winner Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui (Jagged Little Pill; Beyoncé at the 2017 Grammy Awards and APESHIT; Madonna’s Celebration tour) to stage Shakespeare’s iconic love story.

This production depicts violence, stabbing, murder, and suicide, and contains haze and strobe lighting. Recommended for ages 13+.

By William Shakespeare
Directed by Diane Paulus
Movement Director and Choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui

Notable dates

Opening Night: 9/5
Member Night: 9/12 at 7:30PM
ASL Interpreted: 9/19 at 7:30PM & 9/22 at 2PM
Audio Described: 9/25 at 7:30PM & 9/29 at 2PM
Open Captioned: 9/25 at 7:30PM & 9/29 at 2PM
Relaxed: 9/29 at 2PM

Production Sponsors
Janet and Irv Plotkin

Accessibility

Find out about our theater’s accessibility.

Find out about our theater’s accessibility.

Plan Your Visit

Information on getting to the theater, local restaurants, and the Loeb Drama Center, including restrooms and concessions.

Information on getting to the theater, local restaurants, and the Loeb Drama Center, including restrooms and concessions.

Ticketing Policies

Learn about our ticketing policies and discounts, including for seniors, EBT cardholders, students, and audience members under 25.

Learn about our ticketing policies and discounts, including for seniors, EBT cardholders, students, and audience members under 25.

Content Key

Language 0 out of 5     
Violence 5 out of 5     
Sexuality4 out of 5     
Substance Use 1 out of 5     

Language 0 out of 5     
Violence 5 out of 5     
Sexuality4 out of 5     
Substance Use 1 out of 5     

Ticket Offers

All Discounts

Standard tickets start at $35, and discounts are available to students and ticket-buyers under the age of 25, Blue Star families, EBT card holders, seniors, Harvard faculty and staff, and others.

More Info

 

Audience members entering the theater.

Take Five

All Performances (Except SEP 5)
$5 Tickets

Take Five invites community members who feel attending theater is financially out of reach or want to take a chance on something new to experience the A.R.T. with a $5 ticket. These tickets are sold out for Romeo and Juliet.

More Info

All Performances (Except SEP 5)
$5 Tickets

Take Five invites community members who feel attending theater is financially out of reach or want to take a chance on something new to experience the A.R.T. with a $5 ticket. These tickets are sold out for Romeo and Juliet.

More Info
ArtsThursdays Logo

Harvard ArtsThursdays

SEP 12 at 7:30PM
Free with RSVP

Free tickets will be available to the performance on September 12 as part of Harvard ArtsThursdays, a university-wide initiative supported by Harvard University Committee on the Arts. An RSVP is required for one or two tickets as space is limited. On the day of the performance, tickets will be distributed at the Loeb Drama Center to the RSVP list on a first-come, first-served basis.

More Info and RSVP

SEP 12 at 7:30PM
Free with RSVP

Free tickets will be available to the performance on September 12 as part of Harvard ArtsThursdays, a university-wide initiative supported by Harvard University Committee on the Arts. An RSVP is required for one or two tickets as space is limited. On the day of the performance, tickets will be distributed at the Loeb Drama Center to the RSVP list on a first-come, first-served basis.

More Info and RSVP

Photos & Videos

Light shines down on Rudy Pankow and Emilia Suárez, who stare at each other as if to kiss, each holding the other’s hand.

Production Photos

16 items
Rudy Pankow in a cream shirt and a yellow baseball cap and Emilia Suárez in a faded tie-dye shirt hold each other and look fearfully into the distance.

Inside Rehearsal

20 items
Rudy Pankow in a striped blue shirt smiles at Terrence Mann in a yellow baseball cap, who places his hand on Rudy's shoulder.

First Rehearsal

15 items

Press Coverage

Reviews

Terrence Mann in a maroon tunic is light brightly, while on either side of him lit in blue and leaning against a wall are Emilia Suárez reading a book and Rudy Pankow writing in a notebook.

WBUR

Visually and physically stunning! A stellar cast…thoughtfully directed.

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Visually and physically stunning! A stellar cast…thoughtfully directed.

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Light shines down on Rudy Pankow and Emilia Suárez, who stare at each other as if to kiss, each holding the other’s hand.

The Boston Globe

Stunning! Romeo and Juliet still vibrates with raw emotion. Suárez’s luminous Juliet commands our attention. Pankow is fully invested in [Romeo] and we ache with him.

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Stunning! Romeo and Juliet still vibrates with raw emotion. Suárez’s luminous Juliet commands our attention. Pankow is fully invested in [Romeo] and we ache with him.

Read full article

Emilia Suárez lies on a wooden platform under a loose sheet and raises her arm, staring at a small vial in her hand.

Harvard Magazine

Inventive. Choreography, costuming, and lighting help Shakespeare’s words jump off the page.

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Inventive. Choreography, costuming, and lighting help Shakespeare’s words jump off the page.

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Emilia Suárez stands barefoot in a portal in a wooden wall, looking down at Rudy Pankow who looks up from below, while a yellow-orange moon hangs in the dark background.

Stage and Cinema

Satisfying! Romeo and Juliet at A.R.T. belongs to the ages. Suárez shines…Brown commands our attention…Mann is wonderful.

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Satisfying! Romeo and Juliet at A.R.T. belongs to the ages. Suárez shines…Brown commands our attention…Mann is wonderful.

Read full article

An angry-looking Alex Ross in an unbuttoned, short-sleeve black shirt raises a dagger above Brandon Dial’s head, who grabs his arm with both hands and a fearful look.

Theater Mirror

Enthralling! Masterfully choreographed.

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Enthralling! Masterfully choreographed.

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Abiola Obatolu in a grey dress folds her arms and looks downcast, while Bradley Dean, in a blue windowpane suit, looks warily to the side; Adam Shaukat walks behind them.

Cambridge Day

A timeless tale. Pankow and Suárez shine.

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A timeless tale. Pankow and Suárez shine.

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Adam Shaukat in a black vest and Will Savarese in a leather vest get close to one another staring into the others’ eyes intimidatingly.

The New England Theatre Geek

A riveting new staging. Infinitely inventive.

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A riveting new staging. Infinitely inventive.

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Rudy Pankow in a brown jacket and holding a small vial in his hand, looks down distraught at Emilia Suárez, lying motionless on a wooden platform.

The Sleepless Critic

Riveting, unique, and insightful.

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Riveting, unique, and insightful.

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Features

Rudy Pankow in a white dress shirt faces Terrence Mann, sitting and smiling broadly with herbs in his hand a small tray on his lap.

CBS News

New production of Romeo and Juliet in Cambridge leans into the love

“We all know it or we think we know it, but I’m always interested in directing classics in a way to wake them up and have an audience experience them as if they’ve never seen them before,” [Diane] Paulus said.

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“We all know it or we think we know it, but I’m always interested in directing classics in a way to wake them up and have an audience experience them as if they’ve never seen them before,” [Diane] Paulus said.

Read full article

Terrence Mann leans over and gestures towards Rudy Pankow, seated on the floor.

Boston Herald

Terrence Mann returns to Shakespeare in Romeo and Juliet

Diane Paulus is a master at reinvention (see her versions of “1776,” “Porgy and Bess,” and “Pippin,” which featured Terrence Mann). Now she wanted to reframe “Romeo and Juliet” turning Shakespeare’s iconic work into something as much about love as hate. And she wanted Mann as the Friar. And she wasn’t going to take no for an answer.

Read full article

Diane Paulus is a master at reinvention (see her versions of “1776,” “Porgy and Bess,” and “Pippin,” which featured Terrence Mann). Now she wanted to reframe “Romeo and Juliet” turning Shakespeare’s iconic work into something as much about love as hate. And she wanted Mann as the Friar. And she wasn’t going to take no for an answer.

Read full article

Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui in a black cap gestures to Rudy Pankow, on the right, and Emilia Suaréz, on the left holding a glowing orb.

The Boston Globe

The way Romeo and Juliet move

[Sidi Larbi] Cherkaoui and [Diane] Paulus agree that “Romeo and Juliet” is an intensely physical text, not just in its violence but also in its sensuality… Cherkaoui said he admires the way Shakespeare so freely and frequently brings the conversation back to the body.

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[Sidi Larbi] Cherkaoui and [Diane] Paulus agree that “Romeo and Juliet” is an intensely physical text, not just in its violence but also in its sensuality… Cherkaoui said he admires the way Shakespeare so freely and frequently brings the conversation back to the body.

Read full article

The Harvard Gazette

A history of Shakespeare at the A.R.T.

‘Romeo and Juliet’ is latest in long line of productions stretching back to theater’s inaugural staging in 1980 of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’

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‘Romeo and Juliet’ is latest in long line of productions stretching back to theater’s inaugural staging in 1980 of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’

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Sharon Catherine Brown in a blue dress and brightly patterned blue jacket places her hands on Emilia Suárez, in a pink dress with many frills and a book open in her hands.

El Planeta

Nuestra Julieta latina redefine el rol clásico y dice: “Tengo la oportunidad de interpretar a una chica enamorada y seguir representando a mi comunidad”

“Como latinoamericana, no tengo muchos papeles a mi alcance, así que aceptar este rol fue un sí fácil. Para hacerlo mío, simplemente traigo mi esencia al personaje”, concluyó [Emilia] Suarez.

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“Como latinoamericana, no tengo muchos papeles a mi alcance, así que aceptar este rol fue un sí fácil. Para hacerlo mío, simplemente traigo mi esencia al personaje”, concluyó [Emilia] Suarez.

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Clay Singer in a black half-face mask kneels in a portal in a wooden wall, turning to face out.

Cambridge Day

In A.R.T.’s contemporary ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ audiences will see what warring families can’t

“We’ve got a really interesting telling of this story that we all know so well,” [actor Clay] Singer said. “It’s a really interesting choice that helps lead to questions like ‘What is hate?’ and ‘Why do we hate?’”

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“We’ve got a really interesting telling of this story that we all know so well,” [actor Clay] Singer said. “It’s a really interesting choice that helps lead to questions like ‘What is hate?’ and ‘Why do we hate?’”

Read full article

Sharon Catherine BRown cries while pulling Emilia Suárez in for a deep hug.

The Bay State Banner

‘Romeo and Juliet’ gets a fresh, diverse face at A.R.T.

“Romeo and Juliet” is a full-circle moment for [Sharon Catherine] Brown, the daughter of two Broadway performers, who was so enthralled with the story as a child that she carried her paperback copy everywhere she went. Performing a show at A.R.T and working with Paulus are two other checks off her career bucket list.

Read full article

“Romeo and Juliet” is a full-circle moment for [Sharon Catherine] Brown, the daughter of two Broadway performers, who was so enthralled with the story as a child that she carried her paperback copy everywhere she went. Performing a show at A.R.T and working with Paulus are two other checks off her career bucket list.

Read full article

The Harvard Gazette

Was Romeo ‘love-bombing’ Juliet?

“As much as things change is as much as they remain the same,” [Christine] Ahanotu said. The play is full of class, race, social, age, and gender divisions… “Why is it that we allow [those divides] to affect the people that we love?”

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“As much as things change is as much as they remain the same,” [Christine] Ahanotu said. The play is full of class, race, social, age, and gender divisions… “Why is it that we allow [those divides] to affect the people that we love?”

Read full article

Rudy Pankow in a cream shirt and a yellow baseball cap and Emilia Suárez in a faded tie-dye shirt hold each other and look fearfully into the distance.

WBUR

A.R.T. brings a reframed ‘Romeo and Juliet’ to the stage

“Romeo and Juliet are two young people who have a vision of where the world is going for them and where the world could go. In many ways, they are determined to not repeat the path of their parents or the generations that came before them,” said director Diane Paulus.

Read full article

“Romeo and Juliet are two young people who have a vision of where the world is going for them and where the world could go. In many ways, they are determined to not repeat the path of their parents or the generations that came before them,” said director Diane Paulus.

Read full article

Explore

Emilia Suárez stands barefoot in a portal in a wooden wall, looking down at Rudy Pankow who looks up from below, while a yellow-orange moon hangs in the dark background.

An Introduction to Romeo and Juliet

“It is principally by means of the incandescent brilliance of its language that Romeo and Juliet has earned its place as one of the greatest love stories in world literature,” writes Stephen Greenblatt.

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“It is principally by means of the incandescent brilliance of its language that Romeo and Juliet has earned its place as one of the greatest love stories in world literature,” writes Stephen Greenblatt.

Read more

Diane Paulus, in a blue graphic T-shirt, stands on a raised platform gesturing to the stage, with other members of the creative team seated behind her.

In Conversation: Diane Paulus and Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui

The director and movement director/choreographer Romeo and Juliet speak about their collaboration.

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The director and movement director/choreographer Romeo and Juliet speak about their collaboration.

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5 Finger Breathing Technique for Kids: As you trace the fingers on your hand, slowly inhale going up the finger and slowly exhale as you go down the finger

Audience Support Resources

We recognize that our productions may unintentionally activate distressing and/or traumatic memories of past experiences in our audience members. These resources are curated by Dr. Charmain Jackman through a culturally responsive and trauma-informed lens.

See Resources

We recognize that our productions may unintentionally activate distressing and/or traumatic memories of past experiences in our audience members. These resources are curated by Dr. Charmain Jackman through a culturally responsive and trauma-informed lens.

See Resources

Essential Question

In what ways do we define our lives through hatred? In what ways do we define our lives through love?

A.R.T. leads with inquiry and asks questions in a spirit of brave curiosity in a never-ending journey of learning and growth. For each production, the creative team, company, and Engagement team develop an Essential Question to guide work in the rehearsal room, onstage, and for engaging with audiences.

Related Events

Four women dressed to impress stand together smiling on a sunny outdoor patio.

Member Night

SEP 12 6PM
Preceding the performance

Supporters of $500+ are invited to an exclusive reception with Scenic Designer Amy Rubin (Gloria: A Life) and other theater-lovers.

Email to Access

SEP 12 6PM
Preceding the performance

Supporters of $500+ are invited to an exclusive reception with Scenic Designer Amy Rubin (Gloria: A Life) and other theater-lovers.

Email to Access

“So shalt thou show me friendship”

SEP 13 5:30PM
Aeronaut Allston

It’s hard to find as true a band of friends as Romeo’s—we’re here to make it easier (no dueling necessary). Join A.R.T. and the B-Side at Aeronaut Allston for a new, fun chance to find your people, Shakespeare style.

More Info

SEP 13 5:30PM
Aeronaut Allston

It’s hard to find as true a band of friends as Romeo’s—we’re here to make it easier (no dueling necessary). Join A.R.T. and the B-Side at Aeronaut Allston for a new, fun chance to find your people, Shakespeare style.

More Info
Stephen Greenblatt, Ramie Targoff, and Diane Paulus

A Conversation with Stephen Greenblatt and Ramie Targoff

SEP 16 at 7PM
Loeb Drama Center

Join Terrie and Bradley Bloom Artistic Director Diane Paulus for a lively conversation with renowned professors Stephen Greenblatt and Ramie Targoff about Shakespeare and Romeo and Juliet.

More Info

SEP 16 at 7PM
Loeb Drama Center

Join Terrie and Bradley Bloom Artistic Director Diane Paulus for a lively conversation with renowned professors Stephen Greenblatt and Ramie Targoff about Shakespeare and Romeo and Juliet.

More Info
Dr. Charmain Jackman and Leah Harris

A Discussion with Dr. Charmain Jackman

SEP 20 7:30PM
Following the performance

Dr. Charmain Jackman speaks about the themes of love, family, healing, and reconciliation in Romeo and Juliet, and the audience support resources she has curated for the production.

More Info

SEP 20 7:30PM
Following the performance

Dr. Charmain Jackman speaks about the themes of love, family, healing, and reconciliation in Romeo and Juliet, and the audience support resources she has curated for the production.

More Info
Claire Danes and Leonardo Dicaprio in Romeo + Juliet

Screening of Romeo + Juliet

SEP 21 2PM
Harvard Ed Portal

In conjunction with Romeo and Juliet, join us for a free screening of Baz Luhrmann’s 1996 film adaptation, followed by a dialogue inspired by the themes of love, reconciliation, and healing.

More Info

SEP 21 2PM
Harvard Ed Portal

In conjunction with Romeo and Juliet, join us for a free screening of Baz Luhrmann’s 1996 film adaptation, followed by a dialogue inspired by the themes of love, reconciliation, and healing.

More Info
Meredith Goldstein and Christine Ahanotu

You’ve Got to Be Kidding Me with These Two

SEP 26 7:30PM
Following the performance

The Boston Globe’s “Love Letters” advice columnist/podcast host Meredith Goldstein and “Love Letters” podcast producer Christine Ahanotu discuss why young love can seem so important and how our brains change as we get older.

More Info

SEP 26 7:30PM
Following the performance

The Boston Globe’s “Love Letters” advice columnist/podcast host Meredith Goldstein and “Love Letters” podcast producer Christine Ahanotu discuss why young love can seem so important and how our brains change as we get older.

More Info

Credits

Learn about the collaboration of artists who created the show, as well as the staff, supporters, and partners who made it possible.

Read the Program

Creative Team

By

William Shakespeare

Directed by

Diane Paulus

Movement Director and Choreographer

Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui

Scenic Design

Amy Rubin

Costume Design

Emilio Sosa

Lighting Design

Jen Schriever

Sound Design

Daniel Lundberg

Original Music Composed by

Alexandre Dai Castaing

Hair, Wig, & Make-up Design

J. Jared Janas

Fight Consultant

Thomas Schall

Intimacy Coordinator

Lauren Kiele DeLeon

Casting Director

ARC Casting/Duncan Stewart, CSA

Jarrett Reiche

Associate Choreographer

Marc Kimelman

Production Stage Manager

Melissa Chacón

Cast

Terence Archie Headshot

Lord Capulet

Terence Archie

Terence Archie Headshot

Lord Capulet

Terence Archie

Jason Bowen

Prince

Jason Bowen

Jason Bowen

Prince

Jason Bowen

Sharon Catherine Brown Headshot

Nurse

Sharon Catherine Brown

Sharon Catherine Brown Headshot

Nurse

Sharon Catherine Brown

Bradley Dean Headshot

Lord Montague, Friar John

Bradley Dean

Bradley Dean Headshot

Lord Montague, Friar John

Bradley Dean

Brandon Dial Headshot

Benvolio

Brandon Dial

Brandon Dial Headshot

Benvolio

Brandon Dial

Adi Dixit Headshot

Paris

Adi Dixit

Adi Dixit Headshot

Paris

Adi Dixit

Kristian Espiritu Headshot

Understudy for Nurse, Lady Montague, Lady Capulet

Kristian Espiritu

Kristian Espiritu Headshot

Understudy for Nurse, Lady Montague, Lady Capulet

Kristian Espiritu

Terrence Mann headshot

Friar Laurence

Terrence Mann

Terrence Mann headshot

Friar Laurence

Terrence Mann

Abiola Obatolu Headshot

Lady Montague

Abiola Obatolu

Abiola Obatolu Headshot

Lady Montague

Abiola Obatolu

Rudy Pankow

Romeo

Rudy Pankow

Rudy Pankow

Romeo

Rudy Pankow

Alex Ross Headshot

Tybalt

Alex Ross

Alex Ross Headshot

Tybalt

Alex Ross

Will Savarese Headshot

Abraham, Peter

Will Savarese

Will Savarese Headshot

Abraham, Peter

Will Savarese

Bernardo Sequeira Headshot

Understudy for Abraham, Peter

Bernardo Sequeira

Bernardo Sequeira Headshot

Understudy for Abraham, Peter

Bernardo Sequeira

Adam Shaukat Headshot

Sampson, Apothecary

Adam Shaukat

Adam Shaukat Headshot

Sampson, Apothecary

Adam Shaukat

Clay Singer Headshot

Mercutio

Clay Singer

Clay Singer Headshot

Mercutio

Clay Singer

Emilia Suárez

Juliet

Emilia Suárez

Emilia Suárez

Juliet

Emilia Suárez

Michael Torto Headshot

Understudy for Sampson

Michael Torto

Michael Torto Headshot

Understudy for Sampson

Michael Torto

Nicole Villamil Headshot

Lady Capulet

Nicole Villamil

Nicole Villamil Headshot

Lady Capulet

Nicole Villamil

Dack Justiz and Em Nafz are the assistant stage managers.

Five Harvard undergraduate students are working on Romeo and Juliet with support from the Paul M. and Harriet L. Weissman Fellows Fund, administered by Harvard University’s Mignone Center for Career Success: Bernardo Sequeira and Michael Torto (acting), Dree Pallimore (directing), Liz Resner (stage management), and Teddy Tsui-Rosen (sound/stage management).