iconLog In  |  Register

Shakespeare’s R & J Opens Tonight

Posted in ARTS to Theatre by Logan Moore on Thursday, February 7, 2008 at 9:04 am

William Shakespeare’s plays have seen more adaptations, re-imaginings, and contemporary reinterpretations than, perhaps, any other artistic works in literary history. He laid the foundations for so much of what came after, that writers and directors must feel some primal urge to put their own face on that looming specter of exalted artistic achievement.

Add to that list Joe Calarco’s bold entry into the canon of Shakespeare derivatives, Shakespeare’s R & J. At the very least, his version of Romeo and Juliet contains little dancing and even less singing. Rather than modernizing the dialogue, this version relies on the bard’s original words, albeit in an abridged fashion.

The play centers around four boarding school boys who decide to stage the play in an act of after-school boredom. The exercise quickly becomes a vehicle for the two principles to explore their latent homosexual desire. Although the introduction of homo-erotic overtones into Shakespeare’s work is nothing new (remember, these parts were all originally played by men and boys in Elizabethan England) the post-modern analysis of performance, the drama of dramaturgy, posits a much more intriguing theme than the majority of such rehashes. Shakespeare might even have appreciated the deconstruction, a writer who had his most famous character, Hamlet, describe the actor’s role as “to hold as ‘twere the mirror up to nature.”

R &J opens tonight at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts (500 S. Goodwin Ave.) at 7:30 p.m. followed by performances Feb. 8 & 9, 13-16 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 17 at 3 p.m.


Most Recent Arts Comments

{username}

Thanks for the sage advice Mary Anna, but I’m long done with the sucking up and being thankful for the scraps. The most important thing an artist can do to live with yourself is tell the emperor he’s got no clothes, and spray paint something on his…

Posted by Local Yocal to the entry 'BEST Arts on 05/15/12.
{username}

Local, I forgot to offer you a piece of sage advice. Don’t bag on 39 south because they represent your potential collector pool. Even though I haven’t lived in Champaign since 1997, 39 south is still the only arts entity that has promoted my work as an…

Posted by Mary Anna Pomonis to the entry 'BEST Arts on 05/15/12.
{username}

Lest 39 South feels picked on: Check this from the Urbana City Public Arts Program: “Calling all Champaign County Artists! We’re pleased to announce a Call for Entries for a new initiative called Murals on Glass, which will feature artwork reproduced in adhesive vinyl displayed on the…

Posted by Local Yocal to the entry 'BEST Arts on 05/15/12.
{username}

You forgot Jonathon Fineberg was also personal pals with the Christo’s. I’ll agree that Dr. Fineberg has done a tremendous job communicating to undergrads why this stuff is important, but I won’t kiss the ring because he also contributed to the dismantling of crafts at the U…

Posted by Local Yocal to the entry 'BEST Arts on 05/15/12.
Mike Ingram avatar

And boom goes the dynamite.

Posted by Mike Ingram to the entry 'BEST Arts on 05/15/12.
{username}

I think the best and most exciting arts programming in Champaign-Urbana is at the Krannert Art Museum. The depth and quality of the museum’s permanent collection speaks highly to the intelligence of the art history faculty at the University. I have to say taking Art History with…

Posted by Mary Anna Pomonis to the entry 'BEST Arts on 05/15/12.
{username}

Another mystifying thing is 39 South touts the fact that when you consider all things that are considered “art”, i.e. music, exhibits, movies, performances, craft fairs, circuses, ect; art in Champaign County apparently generates $60 million dollars of “economic activity” every year, so says 39 South. And…

Posted by Local Yocal to the entry 'BEST Arts on 05/14/12.
{username}

I have to agree, I’m a bit confused as to the purpose of 40 North, although I am aware that the organization is in a period of restructuring and re-examination. And yes, the “staff of 1” does work tirelessly to keep the operations afloat, but the fact…

Posted by Lisa to the entry 'BEST Arts on 05/14/12.
{username}

“Making art accessible to everyone and cultivating the art and artists in Champaign County is 40 North’s main mission.” FACT: When the Urbana City Council proposed to form a new public arts council of its own in 2008, 39 South actually sent letters from board members Cody…

Posted by Local Yocal to the entry 'BEST Arts on 05/14/12.
{username}

On behalf of the New Art Film Festival, I’d like to thank you for highlighting our event in this article. It is our pleasure to put together this showcase for the community and the recognition is highly appreciated by all of us involved in the NAFF. Also,…

Posted by Jason Pankoke to the entry 'BEST Arts on 05/14/12.

Most Popular Arts Articles (60 days)

  1. New film showcases the wonders of the Linotype machine Posted to Arts by Jeremiah Stanley on 04/11/12
  2. The intricate jest of Rob Delaney featured_postPosted to Arts by Caleb Curtiss on 04/04/12
  3. Spotlight: Drag shows in Champaign-Urbana, Part IV featured_postPosted to Arts by Tracy Nectoux on 03/20/12
  4. Behind the Scenes of Cirque du Soleil: Quidam at Assembly Hall featured_postPosted to Arts by Meghan Whalen on 03/23/12
  5. No foolin’, April is gonna be good featured_postPosted to Arts by Jeremiah Stanley on 03/29/12
  6. An interview with Maya Bruck of Pixo featured_postPosted to Arts by Paul Young on 04/04/12
  7. Crispin Hellion Glover does it all featured_postPosted to Arts by Jeremiah Stanley on 04/09/12
  8. Weiskamp makes poster printing a community experience Posted to Arts by Claire Melvin on 04/25/12
  9. Mark Neely returns to C-U for S&B featured_postPosted to Arts by Caleb Curtiss on 04/12/12
  10. Amelia Gray to close out the Carr series featured_postPosted to Arts by Caleb Curtiss on 04/16/12

Most Recent Comments

{username}

Dollars to waffles says the study session will conclude that there is parking available in the Hill Street Parking Deck.

By Brian Mertz to the entry 'Something is rotten in Champaign (and it’s not the waffles) on 05/16/12.
{username}

I can see requiring them to plug meters where they park, but the license fee thing sure sounds like some established business doesn’t like the competition and has an in with the city gummint staff.

By Jay Pea to the entry 'Something is rotten in Champaign (and it’s not the waffles) on 05/16/12.
{username}

As a teenager too broke to actually buy anything, I indulged in many a free cup of Kopi water.

By Matthew Apy to the entry 'BEST Food & Drink on 05/16/12.
Jason Brown avatar

This is pretty much ridiculous. However, I would hope that local businesses that aren’t opposed would step up and allow the Crave Truck in their private parking lots. That won’t solve the licensing issue though… (Insert not-so-subtle reference to Snell being behind the grand conspiracy to kill…

By Jason Brown to the entry 'Something is rotten in Champaign (and it’s not the waffles) on 05/16/12.
Mike Ingram avatar

Excellent additions, LY.

By Mike Ingram to the entry 'BEST Food & Drink on 05/16/12.
{username}

Possible Honorary Categories: Most Bizarre Restaurant Decor: Mas Amigos on Springfield Av. With painstaking attention to shelving, the owner proudly displays his NFL football helmet collection. WTF? Best Pancakes: Courier Cafe. Huge, fluffy, served with hot syrup. If you can stuff 3 of these down, you don’t…

By Local Yocal to the entry 'BEST Food & Drink on 05/16/12.
{username}

@Jason: You’re right about that. I get groceries at Schnucks (they carry what I buy, which I can’t say of any other single grocery store in town), and if they have a beer I’m in the market for it’s usually a quarter or two cheaper per 6-…

By Jay Pea to the entry 'BEST Culture on 05/16/12.
JPSherrill avatar

Best Neighborhood Bar (& Grill) : Urbana - My ‘hood-  the ‘Boom! http://www.boomerangbarandgrill.com Go on a Wing Wednesday or Fish Friday, or see a band play some night.  Local blue-collar Urbana terroir galore.  My only beer snobbish gripe is lack of a pale hopped ale, but you…

By JPSherrill to the entry 'BEST Culture on 05/16/12.
{username}

That article almost looks like something out of The Onion

By Matthew Apy to the entry 'A Case of Mistaken Identity on 05/16/12.
{username}

Thanks! I’m looking forward to writing even more….

By Sarah Boyer to the entry 'A Case of Mistaken Identity on 05/16/12.
Jason Brown avatar

The one thing that’s bothered me for a while about the Friar is that, for most commonly purchased adult beverages, you can actually walk down the strip mall to Schnucks and get them cheaper. It makes no sense, but there it is. I suspect it’s because Schnucks…

By Jason Brown to the entry 'BEST Culture on 05/15/12.
{username}

Thanks for the sage advice Mary Anna, but I’m long done with the sucking up and being thankful for the scraps. The most important thing an artist can do to live with yourself is tell the emperor he’s got no clothes, and spray paint something on his…

By Local Yocal to the entry 'BEST Arts on 05/15/12.
{username}

Local, I forgot to offer you a piece of sage advice. Don’t bag on 39 south because they represent your potential collector pool. Even though I haven’t lived in Champaign since 1997, 39 south is still the only arts entity that has promoted my work as an…

By Mary Anna Pomonis to the entry 'BEST Arts on 05/15/12.
Rob McColley avatar

Maybe I complained enough in person. One time I even explained to the (wholly uninterested) clerk how to navigate the Illinois Statutes web page, and Savoy’s Municipal Code database I wouldn’t know because I only go there when I want to pay 30% more for anything, which is never.

By Rob McColley to the entry 'BEST Culture on 05/15/12.
Annie Weisner avatar

Yay!  Love this!  Welcome to the family!

By Annie Weisner to the entry 'A Case of Mistaken Identity on 05/15/12.
{username}

@Rob: You seem to have the weirdest experiences. I’m in Friar Tuck every other week (don’t tell my mom that I’m a lush). They never fail to ask for my birth date but never my age, they never card afterwards, and they often allow me to use…

By Jay Pea to the entry 'BEST Culture on 05/15/12.
Rob McColley avatar

This column affords me a long-awaited opportunity. I’ve wanted to write my own column called Fuck You Friar Tuck Liquors. but I always thought it’d be too pithy. Here, I can say Fuck You Friar Tuck Liquors and not feel bothered to stretch it out to 750…

By Rob McColley to the entry 'BEST Culture on 05/15/12.
{username}

Lest 39 South feels picked on: Check this from the Urbana City Public Arts Program: “Calling all Champaign County Artists! We’re pleased to announce a Call for Entries for a new initiative called Murals on Glass, which will feature artwork reproduced in adhesive vinyl displayed on the…

By Local Yocal to the entry 'BEST Arts on 05/15/12.
Tracy Nectoux avatar

Ha! Exactly. You, sir, are welcome at the bar in My House.

By Tracy Nectoux to the entry 'BEST Culture on 05/15/12.
Rob McColley avatar

Why wait ‘til 3 pm?

By Rob McColley to the entry 'BEST Culture on 05/15/12.

Most Popular Articles (14 days)

  1. 2012 Pygmalion Music Festival initial lineup featured_postPosted to Music by Smile Politely Editors on 05/08/12
  2. “Opposite” marriage includes fun, love, and drinking in the day featured_postPosted to Opinion by Mike Coulter on 05/03/12
  3. Cafe Zojo steals the show featured_postPosted to Food & Drink by Paul Dudley and Bonnie Dudley on 05/09/12
  4. Triptych bypasses another hurdle, waits for results Posted to Food & Drink by Jeremiah Stanley on 05/03/12
  5. Groce loses first staffer Posted to Sports by Rob McColley on 05/12/12
  6. Paradises Lost; paradigms shifted featured_postPosted to Music by Rob McColley on 05/03/12
  7. Weekender: May 4–6 Posted to Culture by Smile Politely Editors on 05/04/12
  8. The Market Watch returns! Posted to Food & Drink by The Market Watcher on 05/04/12
  9. Ashes to Ashes | Rust to Rust featured_postPosted to Culture by Tracy Nectoux on 05/07/12
  10. BEST Arts featured_postPosted to Arts by Smile Politely Editors on 05/14/12

Log In



Auto-login on future visits

Forgot your password?