Sunday, February 16, 2025

Kit Connor and Rachel Zegler Ignite Passion in Romeo + Juliet!

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Broadway critique by Adam Feldman

In Sam Gold’s audacious Broadway production of Romeo and Juliet, an oft-disregarded comic interlude from Act IV finds itself recontextualized as a thematic cornerstone. As the Capulet family mourns what they perceive as Juliet’s lifeless form, a servant implores the musicians, in a tongue-in-cheek manner, for a ‘merry dump’ to alleviate his despair, exclaiming, “O play me some merry dump to comfort me.” This production not only includes this moment but invigorates it with contemporary flair, as the servant demands an encore of the 2011 melancholy anthem “We Are Young” by the band Fun, warning them of dire consequences should they refuse.

This irreverent line, albeit a deviation from the 16th-century text, encapsulates Gold’s distinctly Gen Z reimagining of the tragedy that unfolds between the feuding Montagues and Capulets. The selection of “We Are Young” is not merely a modern nod; it serves as a potent emblem of the production’s referential postmodernity. The show’s visual aesthetics resonate with contemporary youth culture, underscoring the idea that this Romeo and Juliet is palpably about the exuberance of youth. The set, designed by the collective known as dots, exudes a nightclub ambiance replete with inflatable furniture and whimsical touches, while costume designer Enver Chakartash dresses the cast in casual streetwear, firmly positioning Juliet, portrayed by Rachel Zegler, as the quintessential 13-year-old grappling with nascent desires and frustrations.

Here, Verona is devoid of its adult figures; the narrative unfolds amidst a cadre of youthful, carefree characters, with the intergenerational conflict rendered almost non-existent. Romeo and Juliet themselves, exquisitely portrayed by Kit Connor and Zegler, spiral into their ill-fated romance amidst a cacophony of youthful recklessness. The adaptation, while innovative, perhaps oversimplifies the tragic dimensions of the original work, reducing its moral complexities to mere youthful folly executed against a backdrop of neglect.

Romeo + Juliet. Circle in the Square Theatre (Broadway). By William Shakespeare. Directed by Sam Gold. Featuring Kit Connor, Rachel Zegler, Gabby Beans, Tommy Dorfman, Sola Fadiran, and Gían Pérez. Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes, including intermission.

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Vocabulary List:

  1. Audacious /ɔːˈdeɪʃəs/ (adjective): Showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks.
  2. Recontextualized /ˌriː.kənˈtɛk.stʃu.ə.laɪzd/ (verb): To put something into a new context.
  3. Irreverent /ɪˈrɛv.ə.rənt/ (adjective): Showing a lack of respect for people or things that are generally taken seriously.
  4. Exuberance /ɪɡˈzuː.bə.rəns/ (noun): The quality of being full of energy excitement and cheerfulness.
  5. Cacophony /kæˈkɒf.ə.ni/ (noun): A harsh discordant mixture of sounds.
  6. Oversimplifies /ˌoʊ.vərˈsɪmplɪˌfaɪz/ (verb): To make something overly simple and neglect its complexities.

How much do you know?


Who is the director of the audacious Broadway production of <em>Romeo and Juliet</em> mentioned in the critique?
Sam Gold
Adam Feldman
Kit Connor
Rachel Zegler


Which band's song "We Are Young" is humorously demanded during the production?
Fun
Queen
The Beatles
Coldplay


Who is portrayed as the quintessential 13-year-old grappling with nascent desires and frustrations in the play?
Juliet
Romeo
Kit Connor
Adam Feldman


Which term is not used to describe the visual aesthetics of the production?
Nightclub ambiance
Rustic charm
Inflatable furniture
Whimsical touches


Who is one of the actors featured in the production directed by Sam Gold?
Rachel Zegler
Tom Hanks
Leonardo DiCaprio
Emma Watson


What is the duration of the play including intermission?
2 hours 30 minutes
3 hours
1 hour 45 minutes
4 hours


The Broadway production of <em>Romeo and Juliet</em> by Sam Gold includes a 16th-century text without any modern adaptations.


The adaptation of <em>Romeo and Juliet</em> by Sam Gold incorporates youthful recklessness into the storyline.


Enver Chakartash is responsible for costume design in the production of <em>Romeo and Juliet</em>.


In the production, Juliet is portrayed as someone in her 20s rather than as a 13-year-old.


The narrative of the play unfolds without any adult figures present in Verona.


In the production, Juliet grapples with mature desires and lacks any signs of youthful frustrations.


In the production, Juliet is positioned as the quintessential 13-year-old grappling with nascent desires and frustrations alongside the actor , portraying Romeo.


The <em>duration</em> of the play, including intermission, is .


The <em>set design</em>, exuding a nightclub ambiance with inflatable furniture and whimsical touches, was created by the collective known as .


Enver Chakartash is responsible for designing the in the production of <em>Romeo and Juliet</em>.


The adaptation of <em>Romeo and Juliet</em> by Sam Gold is noted for reducing the moral complexities of the original work to mere folly.

This question is required

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