Romeo & Juliet
at Langley High School

Reviewed on December 6, 2019

Lily Perez
Woodrow Wilson High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

With our country on the brink of the 2020 election, Langley High School's "Romeo & Juliet" seamlessly married past and present, lending the archetypal tale of star-crossed lovers a strong political twist. Itself a derivative of Ovid's "Pyramus and Thisbe," "Romeo and Juliet" was first performed in the 16th century and has since been retold countless times, becoming one of Shakespeare's most well-known plays. Langley High School's production re-imagines the feuding families between whom a forbidden love arises as political parties, with detailed technical elements and nuanced performances, link the classic tale to contemporary issues.

Playing the eponymous couple, Cole Sitilides and Hannah Cameron-Cadenazzi made instantly recognizable, iconic lines seem fresh and authentic. As Romeo, Sitilides' vulnerable and honest performance translated Shakespeare's poetic verbiage into the relatable pining of young love. His effortless chemistry with Cameron-Cadenazzi's Juliet (imagined in this production as a feisty daughter of the political elite) served to portray the continued resonance of love, even in a society fractured by negative partisanship. Peter Fox as Friar Lawrence and Samantha Brunjes as Juliet's Nurse were compelling foils to the reckless passion of youth. Both showed that the best efforts of adults in protecting the young are not unalloyed; Friar Lawrence comforted Romeo and Juliet in parallel scenes which showed their desperation in the second act, but later subtly portrayed the friar's own guilt at seeing his plans to preserve the pair's future come undone. In an equally dynamic performance, Brunjes brought a distinct physicality and accent to her role. She maintained that characterization in both comedic scenes and in scenes that required she be overwhelmed by grief.

This production asserted that the playing field of politics are not only the edifices of government but the arenas of public discourse and quotidian life, from the basketball field to the golf course. Representing extreme partisanship and how it can lead to violent ends, Samuel Buroker as Mercutio and Chris Morgan as Tybalt displayed strong physical performances which were highlighted by thrillingly executed fight scenes. Buroker's Mercutio was a basketball-bearing picture of debauchery and eloquence, crafting a hilarious and magnetic character whose death would incite the drastic tonal shift of the play. His emotionally compelling performance served as the cornerstone of the charismatic dynamic among Mercutio, Benvolio (Leland Hao) and Romeo.

Some characters seek social advancement via the channels of political power, such as Ryan Wilson's perfectly sleazy Paris and Hannah Toronto's Lady Capulet, whom she initially portrayed as a vapid trophy wife, but then gave nuance to by exploring anguish and rage throughout later scenes. Finally, the rare, yet vital picture of bipartisanship lay in Mary Kurbanov's quietly powerful performance as the Prince.

Mark Mahdessian's minimalist set featured divided, yet mirror-image platforms upon which the political candidates were advertised - a choice deeply symbolic of the ideological dichotomy today that the young lovers had to overcome. Each platform was topped with a large screen where effective projections would become integral to conveying the settings of the production. Underscored by Cao Linh Pham's original composition, the production ran seamlessly with the work of the efficient stage crew. Costuming suited to specific locations enhanced the show's concept, as well as detailed, professional quality props, including multiple campaign t-shirts. Thorough marketing and publicity work took cues from political campaigns, advertising in favor of the production's two candidates.

What's in a name? In the richly constructed contemporary society of this production, Montague and Capulet were monikers of a pervasive political rivalry. Conflating the political and Shakespearean theatres, Langley's "Romeo & Juliet" urged the audience to consider how they might reach across those divisions.

Kara Murri
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

Masses march for their rights, political tensions boil over, and two presidential candidates go head to head in a fierce competition to be number one. No, this is not the 2020 election, but Langley High School's masterful retelling of "Romeo & Juliet," a modern story of two star-crossed lovers, complete with romance, rivalry, and Republicans.

Penned over 400 years ago around 1595, William Shakespeare's "Romeo & Juliet" incorporates elements of tragedy, comedy, and romance into one of the most well-known narratives of all time, its countless adaptations cementing the story in pop-culture. It follows a familiar plot: a pair of young lovers on opposing sides of an ancient family rivalry defy all odds to be together. But in a tragic twist of fate, the merriment quickly turns to melancholy with their untimely deaths.

The infusion of modern-day political rhetoric into an age-old story made Langley High School's production unique. A slideshow of images set to The Temptation's song "Ball of Confusion" opened the show, perfectly capturing the chaos of the upcoming election. To enhance this frenetic energy, a sizable ensemble of constituents crafted a cacophony of camera flashes and chants that established the feuding parties' hatred towards each other, proving ominous for our leading lovers.

As the starry-eyed Romeo, Cole Sitilides channeled his character's passion into a raw, compelling, near-perfect performance that struck emotion into each audience member's heart. Every love-struck glance, powerfully delivered sonnet, and tearful goodbye established Sitilides as a versatile, emotionally adept presence.

Hannah Cameron-Cadenazzi took on the role of Juliet and handled it with aplomb. Most notable was her emotional maturity and astounding ability to connect with her counterpart, Sitilides. Tender and youthful, the pair developed a convincing attachment to each other, culminating in the poignant and moving scene of their suicides.

The comedic champion of the night was Samuel Buroker as Mercutio, his over-the-top magnetism and clownish charm leaving the audience roaring as he tastefully delivered countless sex jokes and witty quips. From a few pelvic thrusts here to a middle finger there, Buroker shamelessly demonstrated his mastery of physical comedy. When in combination with Romeo and the playful Benvolio (Leland Hao), a lively, humorous dynamic emerged among the three, which was truly a delight to watch.

With verve and vitality, the Nurse (Samantha Brunjes) was particularly entertaining, inserting bawdy innuendos into casual conversation, her hunched back and humorous British accent adding to the hilarity. In contrast, two characters established themselves as rational presences: Friar Lawrence (Peter Fox) with his calm voice and confident stride, and the Prince (Mary Kurbanov) with a commanding tone and authoritative posture.

To aid the numerous scene changes and create an immersive atmosphere, two projector screens, run by Teddy Spaner, rested on simplistic platforms, presenting images of modern locations, from basketball courts to golf courses. After the deaths of Romeo and Juliet, votive candles lit the screen in sweet simplicity. Another clarifying technical aspect was the costumes, which showed each character's allegiances. Clever changes in lighting greatly enhanced emotional and tense moments, particularly during Romeo and Juliet's first meeting. A single spotlight drew focus to the couple, the scene slowing down for a moment as the two gazed into each other's eyes. To reflect each scene's mood, Cao Linh Pham composed music that was performed by a live quartet during scene transitions.

As the house lights came up, the ill-starred lovers remained cold upon their deathbed, and the teary-eyed audience left Langley High School pondering its message of unity, moved by this tale of woe, the story of Juliet and her Romeo.

Julianne Cuevo
Flint Hill School
Submitted for publication to FCPS Community News

Amid the political turmoil of today, love blossoms across party lines. But can it survive? With passion and enthusiasm, the students of Langley High School put a daring new spin on Shakespeare's classic Romeo & Juliet.

One of the most popular and well-known plays of all time, Romeo & Juliet premiered in 1595. The timeless tale of doomed love helped define the archetypal young, star-crossed lovers and has inspired numerous re-tellings and adaptations, including 44 direct screen adaptations and the 1957 Broadway musical West Side Story. The play concerns Romeo and Juliet, who fall in love despite their feuding families. Over the course of the show, tragedy befalls Romeo, Juliet, and their loved ones as they become collateral damage in a war that they never asked to be a part of. Langley High School's production has a distinctly modern twist; it places the characters in our current political climate and designates the two young lovers as the children of the opposing presidential candidates. This new setting makes powerful statements about the state of politics in our country and the roles of the American people and media.

Overall, the entire cast performed with great energy. They mastered both the lighter comedy of the first half and the melancholy that dominates the latter half of the show. The ensemble shone in the scenes of political chaos, where they captured the urgency of mob mentality and the emotion wrapped up in political issues. Their execution of complicated choreography in fight scenes was very impressive. In addition, they clearly understood Shakespeare's complex language, saying their lines with precise diction and profound meaning.

Cole Sitilides (Romeo) and Hannah Cameron-Cadenazzi (Juliet) were fantastic as the star-crossed lovers. The two had palpable chemistry from their first meeting, which was a breathtaking moment. Both took great care in portraying their characters, depicting the shift from the innocence of first love to sorrow and grief. The audience was in love with their love, and still rooted for the pair to end up with a happy ending, despite knowing that heartbreak was to come.

Although the play is a tragedy, the comic relief is especially important in amplifying the change in mood and tone, and the students succeeded on this front as well. In particular, Samuel Buroker was hilarious as Mercutio. His physical and vocal expression was perfect for his character's swagger, and his delivery of Shakespeare's clever wordplay had the audience rollicking with laughter. Samantha Brunjes (Nurse) was also delightfully funny. Her physicality made her believable as a feeble old woman, and she nagged and teased the other characters with hilarious inflection.

The technical crew's achievements were also substantial. The use of projections was effective; the show began with a montage of important political moments from the past several years, and projected backgrounds changed from scene to scene. Cao Linh Pham's original music composition accompanied the action onstage and intensified the show's drama. The lighting made use of different colors to enhance the changes in mood within scenes and throughout the play.

Like the late-sixteenth century original, Langley High School's production of Romeo & Juliet asked audiences how far two teenagers will go for forbidden love. But with its modern twist, it also asked what we ourselves will do for love in 2019 and beyond.

Kamryn Upson
Freedom High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com

The stage lights come up, music plays, and the infamous prologue of Romeo and Juliet is recited. The extremely familiar Shakespearean tongue is being spoken, but it is not said in 16th century Verona. Langley High School's production of Romeo and Juliet took the audience on a journey through a very recognizable setting: the year of a 21st century United States presidential election.

Romeo and Juliet was written by William Shakespeare in 1595, and is one of his most popular and frequently performed works. This tragedy tells the story of two star-crossed lovers who attempt to navigate through their feuding families to be together. After a harrowing plot fails the two lovers, it isn't until their heartbreaking deaths that their families finally reconcile.

Leading this flawlessly modernized production were Cole Sitilides as Romeo and Hannah Cameron-Cadenazzi as Juliet. Their instantly undeniable chemistry was enough to warm the hearts of every audience member, and made it all the more poignant when the two parted, and later died in each other's arms.

The disputing Capulets and Montagues were portrayed as being the two opposing political parties of Republicans and Democrats, with Lady Montague (Lily Spiller) and Lord Capulet (Gunnar Peacock) as the presidential candidates. The two families successfully created a sense of resentment toward each other, and this was enhanced by the consistently energized ensemble as well.

Romeo's closest companions, Benvolio and Mercutio, portrayed by Leland Hao and Samuel Buroker, respectively. The chemistry created by these three comrades seemed exceptionally genuine. It was as if they had been friends since childhood, and they induced countless laughs from the audience through their playful relationship. Buroker delivered an especially hilarious performance as Mercutio, delivering his lines with silly and incredibly amusing physicality.

Samantha Brunjes also gave a fantastic performance as Nurse. Brunjes portrayed Juliet's selfless and loving aide marvelously. She delivered her lines with an impeccable British accent, which remained perfect through her comedic moments, and through very sorrowful scenes during which she presented emotions that were strikingly moving.

The technical elements of this show truly transported the audience to the updated setting created for this production. Right at the top of the show, images and lyrics were superbly projected onto two screens on the stage. This exquisite special effects work was done by Teddy Spaner, Mary Muir, and Kira Lentz, and it continued throughout the show using the projection of images to depict the location of each scene. These screens were part of a wonderfully devised set, designed by Mark Mahdessian. Although the set was quite simple, it served as a remarkably versatile set that the actors used to their advantage. This production also included a string quartet that played beautiful music between transitions. These extremely talented musicians were conducted by Cao Linh Pham, who also composed the gorgeous score.

With stunning performances by the actors and immaculate technical components, Langley High School's production of Romeo and Juliet transmitted a clear message of love and sacrifice in an ingenious and powerful manner that was undeniably prevalent.

Ryleigh Line
South Lakes High School
Submitted for publication to Insidenova - Sun Gazette

Not even Shakespeare is safe from party politics in Langley High School's production of Romeo and Juliet! It's Capulet vs. Montague, Republicans vs. Democrats, and true love against all odds in Langley's modern take on Shakespeare's classic tale of star-crossed lovers.

In traditional productions of Romeo and Juliet, the protagonists come from feuding families, fighting for generations. This ancient and passionate schism forces the lovers into discretion, and eventually the circumstances of the enmity between the families drives the couple to suicide. In Langley's production, however, the heat of the rivalry is cranked up, with Romeo's mother and Juliet's father running against each other in the 2020 presidential elections. Not only is this contention far from ancient, it is personal, with supporters of Montague and Capulet openly fighting in the streets. How does a classic tale of duels and poison translate into 2020? All is told at Langley High School.

The conflict of the show was established right from the opening thanks to an impressive student-made slideshow set to music. The slideshow flipped through pictures depicting modern political conflicts, alongside images from the Montague vs. Capulet election. As the ensemble of angry constituents stormed onstage and picketed at each other from opposing sides, the costume design made clear who was who, pitting an angry sea of red against a mob of blue. Political slogans on the shirts of the ensemble made sure the political twist was carried throughout the performance without having to modify any of Shakespeare's original writing. During scene changes and moments of tension, a score composed by Langley student Cao Linh Pham eloquently added the appropriate emotional touches of romance, tension, or anger. Overall, the technical aspect of the show was very smooth, and elevated the performance to an almost professional standard.

While Romeo and Juliet is considered a tragedy, Shakespeare is rarely one to kill off his main characters without getting a joke or two in first. Act One was comedic and dominated by Samuel Buroker as Mercutio and Samantha Brunjes as Nurse. Mercutio is expected to be the main comic relief of the play, but Buroker added depth of character to Romeo's jokester friend with hilarious physical interpretations of Shakespeare's risque allusions, and demonstrated an impressive mastery of the script with his speech on Queen Mab. Additionally, Brunjes did an excellent job of portraying Juliet's elderly nurse, a woman too withered to spend all day riding across town, but definitely not too old to admire the boys of Verona alongside her charge. Brunjes was a perfect mix of motherly and mischievous, and moved elegantly between the comedy and liveliness of Act One to the tragedy and confusion of the second act.

Not enough praise can be written for Cole Sitilides as Romeo and Hannah Cameron-Cadenazzi as Juliet. Writing about ‘chemistry' is a bit of a cliché in the world of theatre critique, but when Romeo and Juliet slowed all the action around them at their first meeting, growing tantalizing close like moths to a flame, the electricity spread across the audience, leaving them breathless. More impressively, the pair was able to maintain that palpable devotion throughout the ups and downs (more downs than ups thanks to Shakespeare) of the first and second acts. Each actor shone individually in their solo scenes, but the audience simply could not get enough of the two of them together.

Langley's production of Romeo and Juliet is proof that it is possible to modernize Shakespeare without losing the romance embedded in the prose of the obsolete language, while also making the action relevant to a modern audience. Bravo, Langley!

Julia Tucker
Westfield High School
Submitted for publication to Falls Church News Press

The lights dim; music begins to sound as pictures flash across the stage, the song building to a crescendo. Protesters suddenly crash through the door waving vividly colored signs: Montague blue and Capulet red. Two houses, both alike in dignity—and both unalike in policies—once more in fair Verona, where Saxon Stage set their scene. Shakespeare's classic story of tragic star-crossed lovers was refocused through a modern, political lens in Langley High School's impactful production of Romeo and Juliet.

William Shakespeare wrote Romeo and Juliet around 1595 and published it for the stage about two years later. The play received positive feedback upon its initial release in the late 16th-century and has become even more beloved by people worldwide in each passing year. The story has inspired the conception of plays such as West Side Story that also feature pairs of "star-crossed lovers."

Every actor upheld the integrity of the iconic Shakespeare show by displaying a mastery of the script and a concise identity of the complicated language. The actors delivered the intricate prose with unshakable purpose and devotion. Romeo (Cole Sitilides), Benvolio (Leland Hao), and Mercutio (Samuel Buroker) especially stood out as a strong ensemble as evinced in their scenes together on the basketball court and in the woods. The three boys maintained a consistent brotherly dynamic filled with jokes and banter that captured the hearts of the audience members.

Far removed from the wardrobe of a 16th-century nobleman, Cole Sitilides took the stage wearing jeans and a band t-shirt. No 21st-century clothing, however, could mask the fact that Sitilides portrayed Romeo just as Shakespeare imagined him. He captured Romeo's shift from moody to anguished to heartbroken to desperate with practiced ease. Hannah Cameron-Cadenazzi also had big shoes to fill, which she superbly accomplished. She spoke with diction and purpose while emoting Juliet's inner conflict. Cameron-Cadenazzi portrayed Juliet with maturity while maintaining child-like whims, which made her on-stage relationship with Sitilides all the more convincing. Together, Sitilides and Hannah Cameron-Cadenazzi crafted a relationship stronger than hate.

Peter Fox portrayed Friar Lawrence with determined conviction. Fox emotionally displayed the Friar's breakdown as the confident Friar realizes how his "perfect" plan has failed both Romeo and Juliet. Samantha Brunjes also displayed her acting prowess as the Nurse. Brunjes' portrayal of the Nurse established the Nurse as a caring, motherly figure to Juliet. Because of her strong character choices, Brunjes could crack jokes with or lecture Cameron-Cadenazzi (Juliet) without Brunjes' character appearing superficial.

The technical elements of the show quickly established the contrasting sides of Montague and Capulet. The simple set designed by Mark Mahdessian featured two raised balcony-like structures with projection screens on the back walls. Large set pieces created each setting, and they were quickly moved on and off the stage by the costumed run crew (Austin Young, Jane Sullivan, Anya Patel). The projections (Teddy Spaner, Mary Muir, Kira Lentz) displayed head shots of the opposing candidates before changing to a basketball court or golf course to set the stage. The props (Alyssa Medici and crew) especially polarized the Capulets and Montagues because of the plethora of different campaign t-shirts and posters used by ensemble members.

The two lovers lay collapsed over their cold grave, outstretched hands clutching microphones, flashing cameras swarmed the scene, refusing the heartbroken parents the right to properly grieve. Langley High School's production of Romeo and Juliet created a strong commentary on the nature of the media while reminding viewers that no disagreement over policies is worth the lives of the innocent.

Elisabeth Snyder
George Mason High School
Submitted for publication to Connection

A boy and a girl bump into each other at a party - the music shifts, the lights turn red and blue, and all are in slow motion. She's lovestruck. He's lovestruck. Langley High School's production of Romeo and Juliet entrances the audience with their not-so-lovely love story.

Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy by William Shakespeare which premiered at the end of the sixteenth century. The play was originally set in sixteenth century Verona, but has been adapted many times, including in films by Franco Zephirelli and Baz Luhrmann and the timeless musical West Side Story with orchestration by Leonard Bernstein.

Langley High School's adaptation has brought Romeo and Juliet to the present. Set just a few months before the 2020 presidential election, Democratic Congresswoman Anne Montague is running for president against Republican Senator John Capulet. Romeo, Montague's son, and Juliet, Capulet's daughter, have grown frustrated with the political frenzy. The play follows their quest for love in a polarized time.

Cole Sitilides, as Romeo, invited the audience to experience each of his emotions, from love to grief. When he was banished after killing Tybalt, Juliet's cousin, the audience saw his deep anguish in how he paced across the stage, his face contorted with love with Juliet and inability to live without her. Hannah Cameron-Cadenazzi. as Juliet, was a perfect partner to Sitilides. Her tearful struggle between loving Romeo and loyalty to her family gripped the audience.

Samuel Buroker, as Mercutio, had perfectly timed physical humor which left the audience howling with laughter. His chemistry with Leland Hao, as Benvolio, was evident in Hao's versatility throughout the production. Samantha Brunjes, as Nurse, contrasted with the younger Mercutio and Benvolio, pinching cheeks and hobbling across the stage. Her tone, voice, and demeanor brought more physical humor to the production. Peter Fox, as Friar Lawrence, acted with hope and authority in his plan to reunite Romeo and Juliet. Each of his actions, even exits, was purposeful.

Chris Morgan, as Tybalt, embodied the character's violent and animalistic figure in realistic and unpredictable fight scenes. As soon as Mary Kurbanov, as Prince, stepped onstage and criticized polarization, it was clear she was an authoritative figure. The ensemble illustrated political division in riots and their eagerness to fight any challenger or opposing view.

Aiding seamless transitions between each scene by the stage crew was the presence of original music composed by Cao Linh Pham. The music, played by a string quartet, brought emotion to the play through song.

Costumes and make-up were impeccable, especially for Nurse and Senator Capulet. Though both roles were played by high school students, the costumes and make-up contributed to the effect that they were much older. Costumes for supporters of both candidates were authentic campaign attire, featuring the color of each political party. The props team created yard signs closely modeled after real campaign signs, and the set was simple yet effective, featuring projections which set the scene. Marketing for Langley High School's production was on par with a top-notch political campaign, with buttons and posters of a professional quality.

The polarized environment presented in Langley High School's production of Romeo and Juliet was all too familiar, presenting the tragic results of extreme political division, "for never was a story of more woe / Than this of Juliet and her Romeo."

Mona Hassan
South Lakes High School
Submitted for publication to Fairfax County Times

"For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo."
Shakespeare's tragic tale of Romeo and Juliet follows two young lovers from feuding families on their quest to be together. Langley High School's production was set in a presidential election with the families (Montagues and Capulets) each representing a political party.

Cole Sitilides, who played Romeo, performed his character with emotional intensity and a sustained rawness. Hannah Cameron-Cadenazzi, who played Juliet, had both emotional and comedic moments in her performance.

The romantic chemistry between the two fully encapsulated the "star crossed lovers" notion portrayed throughout the show. It was especially evident during the party scene where Romeo and Juliet first meet and was amplified as the ensemble slowed their dancing, the lighting changed, and music played in order to create the effect of time slowing down.

In the party scene, the ensemble was engaging and entertaining to watch as they executed their moves perfectly. The use of reporters and cameramen throughout the show added to the setting, representing the media's strong presence in modern times.

Samuel Buroker, who played Mercutio, utilized his comedic timing effectively and had the audience roaring. Samantha Brunjes, who played the Nurse, was able to create a motherly connection with Juliet that grew throughout the show, making the audience feel attached to her caring persona.

Chris Morgan portrayed Tybalt in an animalistic way, with clearly defined physical movements that were especially evident in the fight scene. The fight choreography was executed perfectly. Romeo and Tybalt's movements were suspenseful and unpredictable to the audience as the two slashed around with their weapons.

Peter Fox, who played Friar Lawrence, created a fatherly bond with Sitilides. Their portrayal of a father and son relationship gave the audience something to connect with.

Costumes in the show were reflective of the setting. The "vote for" shirts and the use of the colors red and blue represented the two political parties and allowed the audience to discern which party a character belonged to.

The stage crew wore costumes as well, and set changes flowed smoothly. The projections used in the show provided depth to the minimalistic set and allowed the audience to recognize the setting they were in as the show progressed.

The cast of Langley High School's production of Romeo and Juliet was able to create a sense of individuality among their characters. The show took a new perspective with this classic tale and used it effectively to relate to a modern audience. With projections, terrific choreography, and a stellar cast, you'll find parting to be "such sweet sorrow"!