City Shakes Offers Gritty, Real-World Production of ROMEO AND JULIET, Now thru 7/26

The City Shakespeare Company opens the doors to its summer production of Romeo & Juliet today, July 11th. They kick off the run with a red carpet masquerade ball in honor of the famous 'ancient feast' in the story, and run through July 26th.

This 90-minute production features intense fight choreography by David Hartstone, who also plays Romeo. "It's not the sterile, innocent love story we've been conditioned to expect," states Brooke Bishop, the director and co-founder of City Shakes. "This production is raw and visceral because we're calling it what it is: two teenagers getting married in secret and then killing themselves."

The company is currently housed in an early 20th century warehouse space located within walking distance of the 3rd Street Promenade. "The environment is a great fit for this gritty story," states Allison Volk, company co-founder and actor playing Benvolio. "The floors are cement and the rafters are exposed."

The show features an athletic 6-person cast, including Megan Ruble as Juliet, Colin Martin as Mercutio, Mallory Wedding as the Nurse, and Gilbert Martinez as Tybalt. Live music is composed and performed by Daniel Landberg and Arthur Koroghlian.

If you go: Romeo & Juliet plays Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at 8 pm July 11 through July 26. Location is 1454 Lincoln Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401. Plenty of free street parking after 6pm. Doors open at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $20 at http://cityshakesrj.brownpapertickets.com/

For more information, please visit www.CityShakes.org.