BREATHING NEW LIFE
The Acting Company brings ‘Romeo & Juliet,’ ‘The Three Musketeers’ to Popejoy
The Acting Company’s mission is to develop actors by touring professional theater across America.
Fifty-one years later, the latest crop of actors is currently touring across America performing two classics — “The Three Musketeers” and “Romeo & Juliet.”
Leah C. Gardiner is the director of the William Shakespeare classic, “Romeo & Juliet.”
The gripping drama spun out of the ancient grudge between two families makes “Romeo & Juliet” as relevant to modern society as it was to audiences four centuries ago. The starcrossed lovers follow their passion to the ultimate tragic end.
Gardiner says the company breathes new life into the classic tale.
“I wanted to make it fresh, young, vibrant and accessible to those on tour,” she says. “Part of the mission of The Acting Company is to reach young audiences and to cast young actors newly out of school.”
Gardiner decided to make the play revolve around a Latinx family.
She says her 17-year-old was able to spend a month in rehearsal with the company.
“There was one moment when the choreographer created this wonderful dance for the play,” she says. “My son came over and said we should do it as a mosh pit. It changed the dynamic of the play.”
Gardiner says the play has Lady M — or Montague — as a single parent. Her relationship with Romeo changes.
“In the original play, Romeo never speaks to his mother,” she says. “In ours, she’s talking to her nephew and they see Romeo coming to the skateboard park.”
Gardiner says there’s also another twist where Romeo goes to kiss Juliet at the party.
“She stops him,” Gardiner says. “Then Juliet initiates the kiss. I want young women to know that they are empowered on how they want to engage with others. Juliet is a rocker and she’s very different than her family. Her parents don’t understand her and she’s a bit of a tomboy.”
Gardiner says having the opportunity to work with young actors excites her as she matches their hunger and vivacity for exploration within the characters.
“This bunch of actors are willing to try anything,” she says. “These young actors are brave in choosing such a profession that is difficult. They aren’t giving up on themselves. There’s one actor that plays seven characters in ‘The Three Musketeers.’ Each one of them has amazing drive.”