Romeo & Juliet: Tribal
Work
Romeo & Juliet: Tribal, A Rock Musical
A rock 'n roll version of the classic that is heavy on percussion, conceived and directed by William Electric Black. The text is all Shakespeare's in this production. Some of the music is chanted and some is sung; there are twelve songs taken "right from the dialogue." Song styles include reggae, gospel, rap, pop, R&B and rock ballads. It's a show where rhythm rules: there is a tap number at the Capulet party and there are heartbeat motifs in the sound score when the families meet. Percussion enhances the fight scene and supports the characters' actions. There is no set: the scenery is created with physical theater, as when the cast collectively lifts Juliet skyward to establish her balcony. (When she swoons after taking the potion, it is onto a bed of actors.) Occasionally there are found objects used, as when the cast adds atmosphere in the Friar Lawrence scene by blowing into glass bottles. The choreography is primarily gestural and jazzy, á la Fosse, with "a lot of hand gestures and head flicks."
press release in 1999 show file
press release in 1999 show file
1980s
English
WORK.1999.0009
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