ROMEO N JULIET Opens This Weekend, 7/5, at the Classical Theatre of Harlem

The Classical Theatre of Harlem (CTH) will celebrate Opening Night of its production of the William Shakespeare classic Romeo n Juliet, directed and adapted by Justin Emeka. The show will bring the colorful characters of Harlem and the African Diaspora to life. Emeka returns for the second year in a row as director. In Romeo n Juliet, soulful music, verse, movement and dance-hall rhythms provide the backdrop for a community suffering from internal conflict. Performances, which are free and open to the public, run from July 5 through 27.

Romeo n Juliet is also the sophomore effort of Classical Theatre of Harlem (CTH) in presenting free summer programming at the recently renovated amphitheater. The production is designed to bring professional entertainment to the local community and hard-core theater lovers from across the city, while driving commerce to the area.

Director Justin Emeka; NYC Comptroller Scott M. Stringer; CTH Producing Artistic Director Ty Jones and Managing Director David Roberts; creative team: Anka Lupes (scenic design), Lakai Worell (choreographer), Paul Hudson (lighting design), Eric Sluyter (sound design), Rachel Dozier-Ezell (costume design), Chen Lo (music direction) and Emmanuel Brown (fight choreography; the cast: Sheldon Best (Romeo) and Natalie Paul (Juliet), as well as Jamie Rezanour, Zainab Jah Dorcas Sowunmi, Jason Delane Jameal Ali, Emmanuel Brown, Kambi Gathesha, Clark Harris, Keldrick Crowder, Ty Jones and Anthony Lalor; the ensemble: Levell Franklin, Amara Granderson, Patricia Janvier, Jared Lewis and Djaka Souare.

Where: Richard Rodgers Amphitheater in Marcus Garvey Park (enter at 124th Street and Fifth Avenue and walk south to the venue).