Public PlayTime Presents: Romeo N Juliet

Pittsburgh Public Theater’s Resident Director Justin Emeka (Sweat, American Son) returns to the Public’s digital stage to share his robust retelling of literature’s most revered romance. ROMEO N JULIET reimagines Shakespeare’s classic as an earnest love story amidst feuding African-American and Black immigrant communities. In this Verona, the Prince travels with guards who resemble members of the Black Panther Party, Sister Laurence wields power and wisdom through her unshakable faith, and Romeo and Juliet learn that to love one another fully is a revolutionary act.

While remaining faithful to Shakespeare’s language and story, this adaptation is a sensitive, lean retelling that centers Black culture and characters, and speaks directly to Justin’s expertise and vision for reimagining classic works for modern audiences.

Starring Zora Howard as Juliet and Carter Redwood as Romeo. Featuring Stephanie Berry, Emmanuel Brown, Nina Domingue, Joshua Echebiri, Justin Emeka, Kevin Mambo, Mercy Ojelade, and Brenden Peifer.

This reading will be presented alongside a Public Town Hall (Seeing Shakespeare Through Brown Eyes) with Justin on February 25, and a Creative Workshop (Making Shakespeare Black) on February 27. Register for the Town Hall at http://bit.ly/ShakespeareThroughBrownEyes and the Workshop at http://bit.ly/MakingShakespeareBlack.