Romeo and a Jigsaw

Comments (0) By Sebastian del Mármol Thursday, Jan 20 2011

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Whenever you hear “Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?” it’s rarely followed by “I’m in the lumberyard, you crazy Capulet.” But that’s correct, the feuding families will be at Shell Lumber this weekend. But before you draw your symbolic sword and cast aspersions on the latest production of Shakespeare in the Park, Colleen Stovall, producing artistic director of Shakespeare Miami, wants you to know this: “The space is like a perfect old-school Shakespearean theater: double balconies, an open-air stage. Being in the space allows us to hang lights properly and control the sound better.” After the production was booted from Peacock Park in Coconut Grove — the City of Miami wanted to charge tens of thousands of dollars for the space, Stovall says — the owner of Shell Lumber volunteered his digs. The venue, which has hosted other live events, accommodates only 500 people. But Stovall says the intimate and unique environment enhances the performance. After some skepticism, the actors and theater fans have signed on. “My Juliet trained at the Royal Shakespeare Company and when she stood in the space, she said ‘it feels like the Globe Theatre,’ ” says Stovall. And if you’re worried the venue will upstage the play, don’t fret. Assures Stovall: “Expect to see the hottest balcony scene ever staged. It involves swords à la Catherine Zeta Jones and Antonio Banderas in the famous Zorro duel.” See Romeo and Juliet for free.
Fridays-Sundays. Starts: Jan. 21. Continues through Jan. 30, 2011