Romeo & Juliet with the Nashville Shakespeare Festival TOur
02.08.2024 - As I watched the theater troupe unload their gear and erect their props on the Flatwoods Stage, I was taken back to Stratford on Avon, England, and as the crew set up props, practiced sword fights, tumbles, hitting the marks, and the mastery of William Shakespeare…evident that this was a professional, fun living bunch of 20 somethings living a dream acting, being in the moment, sharing truly great stories and oh what a story of young love, parents not understanding, children not understanding and the stratified society between Montesquieu and Capulets. This story resonates with us because we can identify with the characters in the play: Relationships, societal expectations, misunderstanding, passion, sadness, merriment, and LOVE!
A fantastic jazz trio led by Bailey Johnstone (Murfreesboro,TN) on stand-up bass, Daniel Kuk (Franklin, TN) on keys, and Allison Wildrick (Dallas, TX) on vocals. Smooth and well beyond their years, this trio rounded out an afternoon sky with an assembly of standards that featured not only super talented musicians but a silky rounded voice that was timeless, and might as well have been in a jazz club 1957. Allison’s voice resonated with some deeper tones that reminded me of Madeleine Peroux, and Bailey, who has been a constant at both, The Burlap Room and The Harvester in many forms, only continues to evolve with skill and style…Daniel tinkled the ivories as a reminder of the talent that surrounds us here in Middle Tennessee.
These young people, all of the artists, performers, all of them, call Tennessee home and how enriched and blessed we are to witness this post pandemic celebration of life through ART.
This event was postponed January 18, but due to the demise of ice and snow, we landed on February 8 which was a lovely mid-winter day, and thank you Harwoods Smokehouse for the enormous Turkey legs. Yummmmmm…always good food form Mr. Campbell and his crew (he will return Friday, 3/15, for our St. Patrick’s Day Celebration as well).
As theater goers approached the speakeasy alley between The Harv and The Casablanca building, Angela Pedigo (from the Lotus Pod) and David Judkins had the 1597 vibe with roses and candles lighting the way into the full warm Flatwoods to the sound of jazz and sword play. Oh, what a night.
Denice Hicks, Artistic Director for 34 years, has created many Shakespeare performances including rewriting portions of Shakespeare to narrow down the runtime to approx 75 minutes.
I’ve watched The Nashville Shakespeare Festival performs at Centennial Park Bandshell in Nashville almost every summer season since I met my true love, Becca. She and I would haul our four children to the performances - outside with a picnic basket, a blanket, and the stars as a roof. Outside with the elements - so follow and subscribe to The Nashville Shakespeare Festival social channels, they are a non-profit and can use funding from every source.
Denice was accompanied by Jan Morrsion and Isabell Krispin. These fine ladies help implement the outdoor summer series in Nashville at One City, and they’re preparing for the upcoming season, but first a stop in Smithville, TN, for what is surely one of the most well-known and most quoted of Shaky Bill’s works.
Andrew Johnson from Nashville and Joyce Torres from Guam made a return trip to The Harv. They were both part of two performances in April 2023, playing roles in Macbeth and A Midsummer's Night Dream. Andrew also instructs combat for most any combat scenes across the Nashville Theater Community. Inez Vega-Romero, who played Juliet and nailed it with angst and glee… oh yea, my man, Jakholbi Murray as Romeo had us mesmerized with each impending kiss. And Chad Merriott, who made his debut as an understudy in Romeo & Juliet, and his first at The Harv as well. At the end of the performance, the actors returned to the stage to engage with the audience and took questions from the DeKalb County High School Students along with the rest of the audience. Gabby Robinson and Sonja House teach Freshman English at DCHS, and they, along with the students, are studying Romeo and Juliet this semester so what great timing and great question from the audience: the actors were relaxed, forthcoming, humble, and happy! Chad commented that if you are going to fall, make it really good quality fall, go all in!! A great message for Life : GO ALL IN!
Joyce played a ukulele through the performance as the five actors each played multiple roles. Amazing choreography, and the costumes had a “Ra-Ra” high school vibe with school colors, family colors, and sports emblems identifying them - modern twist on the ancient story. Well Done!
Our heartfelt gratitude to y’all for dazzling us with your incredible performance. The way you brought the works of William Shakespeare to life in our village of Smithville was truly remarkable, why I felt as if the streets of Verona had to come to Mid-Town Smithville! Partially when Tibalt bounded on to the stage singing Eye of The Tiger and yes, the entire audience chimed in as The Shakes gave a nod to DeKalb County High School Tigers. The Shake fed our souls with talent and passion, and we were enthralled with the real time drama playing out in front of. Young teenagers in love, forbidden love by their families; fighting, laughter, anger, sadness, love. All of the emotions played out in front of us - how refreshing to get to be in the moment with stag actors that used their raw expression to convey what was happening - referencing in the sense that none of us were on our phones, we were captivated, the intimacy of the Flatwoods Stage lends itself to a wonderful theater experience, a bonus experience.
The joy and sorrow of the performance evoked a bittersweet and unforgettable night.
Thank you Nashville Shakespeare for bringing us moments of pure magic and for enriching our lives with the beauty of Shakespeare words. We will cherish the memories and eagerly await your return!
JULIET: “Love's heralds should be thoughts, Which ten times faster glides than the sun's beams, Driving back shadows over louring hill" ...parting is such sweet sorrow…
Up next at the Harvester is St. Patrick's Day with Randy Steele and High Cold Wind on Friday, 3/15, then Spring Songwriter Night with Sam Lewis and Friends on Friday, 4/19. Stay up-to-date with all the events in the Bert Driver Network (Nursery, Burlap Room, and the Harvester) by signing up for our ‘The Local Vibe’ Newsletter - released the first Tuesday of the month, straight to your inbox!
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