You've heard of Shakespeare in the Park? Now we have Shakespeare in the Pub! Specifically, the parking lot of Sociable Cider Werks in Northeast Minneapolis. Now in their third year, I finally made it out to see Gray Mallard Theater Company, and it was a delight! There's really nothing better about Minnesota summer than sitting outside on a not-too-hot summer night, enjoying some Shakespeare, food, and local cider. (Well, maybe lakes are better - Shakespeare at the Lake?!) They said they've done a history and a comedy, so now it's time for a tragedy. Why not the most famous tragedy, the story of Juliet and her Romeo. By far the Shakespeare play I've seen the most often (more than a dozen times), but one that's always relevant and entertaining and frustratingly tragic (I always hope that somehow the Friar's message will get through to Romeo, but it never does). With an engaging cast, simple design, and the gorgeous night sky as backdrop, this
Romeo and Juliet is your new must-do summer #TCTheater experience. Unfortunately I'm getting to this late (because summer is busy) and there are only two shows left. But if you're looking for something to do this weekend,
see it before it closes on July 28!
I'd never been to Sociable Cider Werks before. They have a nice indoor taproom, several varieties of cider and other beverages on tap, and a permanent food truck called So & So's with fries and burgers and such (including some veggie options). They also have an outdoor patio and a huge parking lot, with the staged tucked up by the building and an enclosed space for seating with some available folding chairs and picnic tables, or you can bring your own chair. It's a nice setup, with food and drink readily available (but no shade unless you're lucky with the clouds, so come prepared).
Artistic Director Amanda Cate Fuller (a familiar surname in #TCTheater) directs the piece with nice momentum and flow, one scene beginning almost before the previous one ends as the cast runs on and off stage. Romeo and Juliet often starts out like a rom-com, and then turns tragic, and she navigates that tonal shift well. The small stage has a raised platform with a railing for the iconic and essential balcony scene, with a couple of other blocks painted like faux marble. As the natural daylight decreases, lights come on so slowly as to barely notice it. The cast is miked to overcome the ambient noise, which when I saw the show included strong winds, so that everyone was easy to hear.
 |
Juliet (Alessandra Bongiardina) and her Romeo
(Em Rosenberg, photo by Emily Garst) |
The large and talented cast, dressed in modern clothing designed by Patsy Monson, again includes lots of students and graduates of the U of M/Guthrie BFA program (or as I like to call it, the Guthrie
farm system, where they train them well), who have been popping up on several stages around town this summer and continuing to impress me. Alessandra Bongiardina is a wonderfully strong Juliet, youthful and spirited, believably in love. Fresh off of their Guthrie debut in the
History Plays, Em Rosenberg is a fantastic Romeo, passionate and funny and devastated. Other highlights include Cathleen Fuller as the Nurse, Arcadia German as a fierce Prince, Tony Larkin as Romeo's genial Friar friend, Davis Brinker and Cooper Lajeunesse as Romeo's buddies (the latter with a great death scene), and Zach Lerner as Tybalt (with some fab hairography). The fight scenes (choreographed by Mason Tyer) are bold and electric and up close.
