This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.
Arts & Entertainment
Performances run April 17 through May 18, 2025
Nancy Sasso Janis, Community Contributor
The Star-crossed lovers: Niall Cunningham and Carmen Berkeley will portray Romeo & Juliet
Hartford Stage AnnouncesRomeo & JulietCast and Creative Team led by Artistic Director Melia Bensussen
Performances run April 17 through May 18, 2025
Hartford, CT - Hartford Stage announces the artistic team for its upcoming production of Romeo & Juliet. The tragic love story that has inspired countless movies, musicals, and modern adaptations gets back to its roots in this lush and energetic production of William Shakespeare’s most well-known play from Hartford Stage Artistic Director, Melia Bensussen (The Winter’s Tale, Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, All My Sons, Simona’s Search). Performances run from April 17 through May 18, 2025 at Hartford Stage, 50 Church Street, downtown Hartford.
“Romeo & Juliet speaks to our joys and fears in love, our longing for connection and passion, and our desire to be seen and understood.” said director Melia Bensussen. “In this passionate tale of young lovers, we see a community that is torn apart. What sacrifices are required during such strife? With color and music — and a vivid sense of Latin American culture — this tragedy is full of love and life, and is ultimately a celebration of what brings us all together. A sense of how love and loss, life and death, are all part of the tapestry of our lives. Come join us for the music of Shakespeare, and bold storytelling in the best of Hartford Stage’s tradition.”
Rife with lush romanticism, thrilling sword fights, and Shakespeare’s famously beautiful language, this captivating production is the perfect way to introduce someone to Shakespeare and will enthrall even the most seasoned fan of the Bard.
The cast includes Oluwatobiloba Adeyemo as Paris, Juan Arturo as Benvolio, Carmen Berkeley as Juliet, Emily Bosco as Escalus, Brandon Burditt as Tybalt, Niall Cunningham as Romeo, Alejandra Escalante as Mercutio, Eva Kaminsky as Lady Capulet, Michael Samuel Kaplan as Montague, Annmarie Kelly as Nurse, Carman Lacivita as Friar Laurence, and Gerardo Rodriguez as Capulet.
Since 2013, Hartford Stage and The Hartt School at the University of Hartford have had a partnership-in-training program which allows students from the Theater Division to act and work in the company’s productions. A talented group of Hartt students will be in Romeo & Juliet: Liliana Alva, Jeremy Parrott, Jason Pietroluongo, and Madelyn Rothstein.
The production features Choreography by Dale A. Merrill, Scenic Design by Christopher & Justin Swader, Costume Design by Fabian Fidel Aguilar, Lighting Design by Dan Kotlowitz, Sound Design by Darron L West, Hair & Wig Design by Tommy Kurzman, with Fight Director Ted Hewlett, Voice and Text Coach Julie Foh, Intimacy Coordinator Lillian Mae Ransijn, and Casting by Alaine Alldaffer and Lisa Donadio. The Production Stage Manager is Nicole Wiegert, with Assistant Stage Managers Julius Cruz and Maia G. Trivony.
Hartford Stage photo
Tickets and Performance Details:
Romeo & Juliet runs from April 17 to May 18, 2025, with evening performances at 7:30 p.m. and matinees at 2:00 p.m. Tickets start at $30, with discounts available for students and groups. Groups wanting to create a special occasion out of their visit can reserve a private space at the theater to enjoy a reception before or after the performance. Visit 860-527-5151, or stop by the box office at 50 Church Street to purchase tickets.
The theater advises audiences to be careful and not purchase tickets through any other website. Third party re-sellers will try to sell false tickets for twice the price or more. If you have any doubts or questions, please contact the Hartford Stage Box Office directly. Hartford Stage does not charge any additional fees for tickets.
Special Performances and Accessibility:
Student Matinees: April 30 and May 1, 8, 13, 14, 15, 16, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. School groups interested in attending one of our student matinees can visit HartfordStage.org/student-matinees for more information.
Find out what's happening in Greater Hartfordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Post-Show Conversations: April 27 at 2 pm, May 6, 2025 at 7:30 p.m, and May 7, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. Enjoy a discussion with artists connected with the production immediately following the performance. Free with admission.
Open Captioned Performance: May 4, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. for patrons who are deaf or have hearing loss — free service with admission.
Audio-Described Performance: May 10, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. for patrons who are blind or have low vision — free service with admission.
Support for Romeo & Juliet:
This production is made possible by The John & Kelly Hartman Foundation, Jack & Donna Sennott, and Jill Adams & Bill Knight. Opening Night on April 25 is sponsored by The Hartford, and post-show conversations are supported by Bank of America. All programming is supported by the 2024/2025 season sponsors Stanley, Black & Decker and Travelers.