Door Shakespeare presents Shakespeare's ROMEO & JULIET and Jane Austen's EMMA

Mercutio (Jonathan Contreras) parries Tybalt's (Tehreem Chaudhry) attack in Door Shakespeare's production of ROMEO & JULIET, directed by Dimonte Henning. Photo by Heidi Hodges.

Romeo (George Lorimer) tells Juliet (Noelle Young-Davis) that love led him to her balcony in Door Shakespeare's production of ROMEO & JULIET, directed by Dimonte Henning. Photo by Heidi Hodges.

By Mary Boyle

Door County is oft touted as a romantic place for couples to visit, and it truly is.  From wineries and fine restaurants to gorgeous sunsets on Lake Michigan, there are plenty of attractions and places to stay that are geared towards couples.  This season, Door Shakespeare adds even more romance by bringing it to the stage with their productions of Shakespeare's ROMEO & JULIET and Jane Austen's EMMA.

​The setting of Door Shakespeare is romantic enough on its own.  Nestled in the woods along the lakeshore in Baileys Harbor, the outdoor stage is built around a majestic tree on a 425-acre estate known as Björklunden, which was given to Lawrence University in 1963 by Donald and Winifred Boynton of Highland Park, Illinois.  Winifred, herself, designed and built the nearby fairytale Nordic chapel, which may be toured on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1-4 p.m.  Visitors may also tour the lovely and mysterious garden, located just behind the outdoor theater's seating area.

Although there is the inherent tragedy in Romeo & Juliet, there is also the timeless romance of two very young lovers, which this production delivers in spades.  George Lorimer, who was seen this past season in Vanguard Production's All Is Calm in Milwaukee, makes a strong Door Shakespeare debut as the young and handsome Romeo, while Noelle Young-Davis, a rising young actress all the way from Baltimore, is perfectly cast in the role of Juliet. 

​When played right, though, it is the surrounding characters in Romeo & Juliet that truly make the play, and this cast plays it right.  Mark Corkins and Todd Denning, who are veterans of Door Shakespeare, are magnificent as Lord Capulet and Friar Lawrence, respectively. Jonathan Contreras, who was seen last season on the DS stage, was absolutely brilliant as Mercutio. Arielle Leverett makes a strong DS debut as both the Nurse and the Prince. Ethan Hightire, Tehreem Chaudhry, and Angel Rivera make impressive DS debuts as Benvolio, Tybalt, and Sampson/Peter, while Isa Guitian and Taylor Harvey return to the DS stage as Lady Capulet and Balthasar/Abram.  Unfortunately, veteran DS performer and Music Director Scott McKenna Campbell's roles as Lord Montague and the Apothecary were played by Mikkel Knutson for the production I saw, but his stand-in performed admirably.

Directed by Milwaukee's Dimonte Henning, this production of Romeo & Juliet radiates the additional magic that is made by being performed outdoors in a beautiful setting.  Multiple actors also serve as musicians, under the direction of Scott McKenna Campbell, which certainly adds to the beauty of the production; but, please don't mistake all this talk of romance to mean that this play is syrupy-sweet.  Some of the greatest parts of this story of star-crossed lovers are the fights that break out between the Montagues and the Capulets, and these fight scenes, coordinated by Christopher Elst, are some of the most dynamic, raw, and exciting that I've seen on the stage.  Furthermore, there is an important lesson to be learned about the feud that separates these two families that goes far beyond romance; in fact, I believe it is the reason this play continues to endure.

"Our country, rather our world, is at a pivotal moment," explained Henning.  "Throughout human history we have seen arduous times, but what makes today's trials more devastating is how the cycle of hatred and bigotry toward one another continues to repeat itself.  The Capulets and Montagues, two dueling families, have accumulated years...of hatred toward one another to the point where they have no real idea why they 'hate' each other.  They just hate each other because it was something they were taught.  William Shakespeare's commentary on his time can help us understand ours."

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Emma Woodhouse (Taylor Harvey) enjoys a waltz with Mr. Knightley (Jonathan Contreras) at the Highbury Ball in Door Shakespeare's production of EMMA, directed by Maggie Kettering. Photo by Heidi Hodges.

The Regency period has always been romanticized, but it is all the rage right now, with shows such as Bridgerton bringing the genre to a frenzy in pop culture.  However, nothing is more Regency than a Jane Austen novel, and adapting them to the stage has been a particular passion of Joseph Hanreddy.  Hanreddy will be most familiar to Wisconsin audiences as the Artistic Director for the Milwaukee Repertory Theater from 1993 to 2010, but he has also written multiple plays and adaptations, including three of Austen's six novels: Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, and Door Shakespeare's production of Emma, directed by Maggie Kettering.

"Emma has been adapted many times," said Kettering, "but what I find so wonderful about Joe Hanreddy's adaptation is we get to see actors take on multiple characters – many of them right before our eyes.  This convention allows us to get a peek at the many faces a single person can wear, as Austen's characters wrestle with the myriad of ways they interact with each other in society, for good or for ill."

Emma is a delightfully funny and romantic English romp about a young lady who is determined to remain single and care for her father, but fancies herself an expert on love  who is most determined to be a matchmaker for nearly everyone else she encounters.  This production is made even more amusing by the purposeful lack of actors, which is remedied in a number of creative ways and to great comedic effect.

Emma has such a strong cast.  Taylor Harvey is the embodiment of Emma, while Todd Denning has audiences in stitches with his portrayal as Emma's overly anxious father, Mr. Woodhouse.  Johathan Contreras makes for a perfectly endearing Mr. Knightly, a bachelor friend of Emma's who has also sworn off marriage.  Then, we have several actors who are playing two roles. Isa Guitian's talent truly shines with her portrayal of Harriet, who Emma has adopted as her dearest friend and project, despite her questionable birth, and as Jane, Emma's rival.  Tehreem Chaudhry takes turns as Miss Bates and Isabella, Emma's sister, who is married to John Knightly, played solidly by Scott McKenna Campbell, who also plays a local farmer, Mr. Martin, who has proposed to Harriet.  George Lorimer switches between the insufferable cleric, Mr. Elton, to the somewhat egotistical Frank, the son of Mr. Weston (Mark Corkins), who has just married Mrs. Weston who, until recently, was Ms. Taylor, Emma's governess and caretaker to the Woodhouse family.  Mrs. Weston is played by Arielle Leverett, who also plays the equally insufferable Mrs. Elton.  Confusing?  Absolutely.  However, I promise, you will be enchanted.

ROMEO & JULIET plays on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 7:30 p.m. and EMMA plays Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 5 p.m.  through August 17, 2024 at Door Shakespeare, in the garden at Björklunden, located at 7590 Boynton Lane in Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin.  Tickets are $30/$35/$45 (Students: $25/$30/$40; Children 12 and under: $/$20/$25/$35) and are available online at https://doorshakespeare.com/ or by calling the daytime Box Office at 920.854.7111.

UPCOMING EVENTS 

Annual Gala 2024
Sunday, August 4, 2024 at the Woodwalk Gallery in Egg Habor
Join Door Shakespeare  and mix and mingle with fellow theater lovers as you enjoy entertainment by company members and a sneak peek at Camp Will, Door Shakespeare's Summer Youth Program, as well as beverages, dinner buffet, and desserts catered by Thyme Cuisine.  Tickets ar $85/person.  Register online or call 902.854.7111.

Pre Show Picnic
Wednesday, August 7 at 6:30 p.m.
Enjoy a pre show picnic in the Door Shakespeare Garden with wine and craft soda selection. Your meal is prepared by Door County’s own Thyme Restaurant and Catering. Take in the beautiful scenery of the Garden, mingle with patrons, and enjoy delicious desserts and coffee during intermission. Picnic guests are also privy to preshow preparation. You’ll have the opportunity to view our fight call and music warm up.
Our Pre Show Picnic and Wine Night is $45 in addition to your ticket price.

Will in the Woods: Historic Falconry with the Open Door Bird Sanctuary
Thursday, August 8, 2024 6:15 - 7 p.m. at Door Shakespeare
More than 60 species of birds are mentioned in Shakespeare’s texts: wrens, owls, larks, and turtle doves just to name a few. Each bird holds a place across the playwright’s works and such references have inspired bird lovers over the years. The Open Door Bird Sanctuary provides a demonstration of historic falconry for this session of Will in the Woods,  This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about birds in Shakespeare and see some birds up close!  Will in the Woods is FREE and open to the public. However, reservations are required in order for us to verify the schedule and prepare for your visit. Please call 920.854.7111 or email [email protected] to reserve your seat.

Shake It Up Saturday
Saturday, August 10 at 3:45 p.m.
Join Door Shakespeare for a casual pre-show gathering with activities designed to introduce patrons of all ages to the evening’s production.  We’ll review the characters in Emma, and take a look at the plot in order to have a better understanding of the story and enhance the theatrical experience. Designed with families in mind, Shake it Up Saturday includes activities to help get the wiggles out before the show begins and keep your family engaged throughout the show. Shake it Up Saturday is FREE and open to the public. However, registration is required in order to confirm the schedule and prepare for your visit. Please call 920.854.7111 or email [email protected] to register.

 
About Door Shakespeare
Since 1999, Door Shakespeare has produced 44 striking productions of classical theater, which have been recognized and ranked in the top 10 theatrical experiences in the state of Wisconsin by The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, in the Garden of Björklunden’s 405-acre estate on Lake Michigan in Baileys Harbor.  Door Shakespeare’s presence continues to grow and is enriched by educational programming, including Door Shakespeare’s Camp Will, Will in the Woods, Shake it up Saturday, and Shakespeare in the Schools.  As a professional theatre company, Door Shakespeare employs members of the Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.  Door Shakespeare is supported in part by a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts and is a proud member of The Shakespeare Theatre Association (STA) and partner of the Folger Shakespeare Library.  For more information, visit https://doorshakespeare.com/.

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