Tom Payne & Ana Khamis to Star in ROMEO & JULIET at Riverside Studios

Skinny Lee Productions & Filament Theatre Company in association with CalArts Alumni announce an apocalyptic, completely immersive, multi-media & cinematic adaptation of William Shakespeare's ROMEO & JULIET, starring Tom Payne (HBO's "Luck") as Romeo and Ana Khamis (James Franco's upcoming film "Unknown Identities," "Hacker's Game," Mr. Paradise) as Juliet and directed by Derek Magyar ("Flying Lessons," "Boy Culture"). ROMEO & JULIET will preview on Tuesday, January 22 & Wednesday, January 21 at 8:00pm & will open on Thursday, January 22 at 8pm with a Gala Opening on Friday, January 23 at 8:00pm and will perform through Sunday, February 7 at the Riverside Studios, 3352 N. San Fernando Rd. in Atwater Village.

The most enduring love story of all time is set in a world that has mostly been destroyed and only two families remain, the Montagues and the Capulets. Can true love save civilization or is all mankind damned for eternity? Utilizing for the first time the Riverside Studios in Atwater Village, audiences will be transported to a world gone mad with a visually rich design that will immerse them in an environmental experience that no ROMEO & JULIET has yet attempted...the end of days. Or are they?

This is a darker version than most," said Director Derek Magyar. "I am really testing the limits of intimacy, sex and love, bringing them to the forefront in an end of the world scenario."

Contemporary form and Elizabethan text merge as this production is set in an apocalyptic world that delves into our most primary feelings of sexuality, lust and desire and explores the roots of programmed ideas and feelings about love, god and life. This story is not about tragic young love. It is about the tragedy of adhering to codes of behavior that are inherited and not freely chosen.

The seeds for this production were planted in 2004 when Magyar and Filament Theater Company co-founder Max Truax did an original play Farewell Juliet at the Santa Monica Playhouse. Then in the spring of 2011, Magyar was asked by his alma mater, California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), to guest direct for six weeks a production workshop that enabled him to continue to explore his obsession with the fundamental themes inROMEO AND JULIET. That undertaking brought together professional actors from stage and screen with CalArts students and alumni, and enabling further professional training for the students. In addition, key crew members from the CalArts family are attached to this production in the various technical fields. Magyar's connection to CalArts is deeply rooted, not only because of the education he received there - but also because its multi-disciplinary approach to the arts has continued to influence him as both an artist and as a person. Thus this new production of ROMEO AND JULIET will utilize diverse multi-media, live action video, live music, a full film-like score, dance as a form of primal expression and a thrilling crew of actors and craftspeople to create an unforgettable vision of this classic.

ROMEO & JULIET has assembled an award-winning design team. Production Design is by Khari Walker ("Flying Lessons"). Scenic Design is by Lindsey Moran ("The Hunger Games"). Sound Design is by Leon Rothenberg (Broadway: Violet, The Realistic Joneses, The Nance (Tony Award), The Heiress, Joe Turner's Come and Gone (Tony Nomination). Lighting Design is by James Began. Original Music Composed by Jesse Glick ("Guardian Ghost"). Costume Design by Lauren Oppeld (Geffen - The Gospel According to Thomas Jefferson, Charles Dickens and Count Leo Tolstoy: Discord") based on a concept by Irina Kruzhilina and Derek Magyar. The stage manager is Nikki Hyde (Cornerstone Theater - California: The Tempest).
ROMEO & JULIET will preview on Tuesday, January 22 & Wednesday, January 21 at 8:00pm & will open on Thursday, January 22 at 8pm with a Gala Opening on Friday, January 23 at 8:00pm and will perform through Sunday, February 7 at the Riverside Studios, 3352 N. San Fernando Rd. in Atwater Village.

Performances are Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 6pm through December 14 at the Riverside Studios, 3352 N. San Fernando Rd. in Atwater Village.

Preview Tickets are $35; Tickets for Friday's performance including after-party are $60. All other tickets are $50 with a student price of $40.
For tickets, please call (800) 838-3006 or buy online at brownpapertickets.com. For more information on the production, visit romeoandjuliet2044.com.

Don't Miss a Los Angeles News Story Sign up for all the news on the Spring season, discounts & more...