Romeo and Juliet

Shakespeare seems to have known the world by intuition, to have looked through human nature at one glance – Alexander Pope

Romeo and Juliet  is perhaps the most loved romantic tragedy. Since its beginnings in the late 1500s, it has grabbed the attention of audiences worldwide, leading to a plethora of creative treatments. It has appeared in a variety of stage and film adaptations as well as an opera, a musical and a ballet. You may have sung along with the Sharks and the Jets in West Side Story, the 1956 musical adaptation or been caught up in the onscreen and offscreen romance of  the young stars of Franco Zefferelli’s beautiful 1968 film. Unless you were away from any media in 1996, you will certainly remember Baz Luhrman’s unique vision which put Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes in the spotlight. And if you are an “Oscar” aficionado, you were witness to the 7-award sweep of Shakespeare in Love, the 1998 blockbuster that rekindled the romance between audiences and Shakespeare.

Whatever your cultural experience has been, Shakespeare’s famous tale of star-crossed lovers has been a part of it and a significant part of cultural  throughout the world. Let’s face it, Shakespeare, whoever he was, knew how to write stories rich with universal appeal! For that reason, his penmanship left a wonderful gift to artists: the chance to apply their own vision to his work without sacrificing the beautifully crafted plotlines.

Join the Hippodrome in the celebration of Romeo and Juliet.  The production has already attracted enthusiastic responses from the Alachua County School Board, the Atrium, UF, Santa Fe Community College and the Gainesville community-at-large, making it a wonderful tool for intergenerational connection. Use it! Let it challenge you to help break the “ancient grudges” that have been passed down through the generations. Let it take you on a journey you’ve never traveled before. Let it move you. Let it entertain you.

Under the conceptually-driven direction of Hippodrome Artistic Director Lauren Caldwell, Romeo and Juliet  brings an amazing palette of talent to the canvas we call a stage. Caldwell has assembled a stellar cast that includes Hippodrome favorites, sprinkled with some standout newcomers. Mihai Ciupe, whose set designs made their own standout performances in the past (Batboy, The Blue Room, Macbeth) returns to dazzle us with yet another fantastical design. Hippodrome Artists-in-Residence Marilyn Wall, Robert P. Robins and Lorelei Esser will also offer you some of the best examples of their creative vision.

Don’t miss Romeo and Juliet! Your senses will thank you. February 28-March 23 (previews February 26 and 27).
 

This year, the Hippodrome Theatre is proud to announce that we are 30 years old! To celebrate, we are having a very special 30th birthday party!  This festive event will include music, cocktails, hors d’oevres and some of your favorite Hippodrome entertainment! The birthday bash will be taking place on April 4, 2003 at the BayLaurel in Micanopy. It would be an honor to have you with us for the celebration of this unique event!

We will be sending you an invitation soon.  You can also check your email or our website: http://hipp.gru.net for further updates.

If you are not on our email list and would like to join, simply drop us a line at: hipp@afn.org. If your mailing address has changed or needs updating, please email at: hipp@afn.org or call our administrative offices at 352-373-5968.

Thank you very much for your love and support over the past thirty years! We look forward to see you at our birthday celebration.

Warm Regards,

Nell Page

 

February 2003

 

· Feb. 22 – 4H Youth Fair Exhibits 8 AM – 7 PM at Alachua County Fairgrounds · Feb. 23 – 4H Youth Fair Exhibits 12 PM – 5 PM at Alachua County Fairgrounds · Feb. 28 – Kickoff for One City, One Story with presentation of “Battle of the Balcony Scenes” at the Hippodrome State Theatre at 7:30 PM · February 28-March 23 – Romeo and Juliet at the Hippodrome State Theatre; call 375-4477 for ticket prices and other information. · March 4 - First of several Santa Fe Community College book discussions at 3 PM at SFCC Library, led by Professor Bobby Hom. Topic is Gender Conflict in Romeo and Juliet · March 8 – 4H Public Speech Contest with readings from Romeo and Juliet.  Alachua County Extension Office, 2800 NE 39th Avenue 9 AM –12 PM · March 11 – Discussion of Shakespeare’s works and presentation of various editions of Romeo and Juliet by Dr. John Van Hook at the Smathers Library on the UF campus, Special Collections Reading Room 2:00-3:00 p.m. · March 17 – Film, West Side Story at the Hippodrome State Theatre Cinema, sponsored by SFCC. Time TBA. · March 19 – Book discussion, “Romeo, Juliet and Modern Times” led by Shelley Fraser Mickle at Santa Fe Community College, R-01 6:00-8:30 p.m. · March 19 &20, 22-24 Films at the Reitz union: Baz Luhrman’s Romeo and Juliet (starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes) at 8:00 p.m. and West Side Story at 10:30 p.m. $2 with Gator-1 and $3 general admission. www.union.ufl.edu/cinema. · January 28 – April 27 – The Culture of Violence art exhibition at the Harn Museum of Art explores the cultural, social, political and personal aspects of violence in America. Visit the Harn’s website for more information: www.harn.ufl.edu. · March 22 – Youth Works at the Harn Museum of Art.  Area high school age students will use various forms of creativity to examine violence in their lives.  Includes scenes from Romeo and Juliet.  Registration is required, please call Rachel Gibas at (352) 392-9826 ext. 150 for more information. · March 26 – Santa Fe book discussion led by Professor Gregg Jones at SFCC Library, 2:00 p.m. · March 28 – One City One Story Closing weekend concert: “Shakespeare in Music” with Becky Micha as Master of Ceremonies. 1:00-3:00 p.m. at SFCC R-01. · Throughout the month of March – presentation of scenes from Romeo and Juliet by local actors of all ages at various locations around Gainesville. Complete list of performances and times TBA. · Sundays in March: Shelley Fraser Mickle will discuss Romeo and Juliet with the community in her Gainesville Sun column, Novel Conversations.

We also began a monthly documentary series with the February 3 showing of THE TRIALS OF HENRY KISSINGER.  “A passionately inquisitive film determined to uncover truth and hopefully inspire action” -Montreal Film Journal. This film was the first of the monthly documentary series co-sponsored by the Civic Media Center and the Hippodrome Cinema. The series will present a documentary on the first Monday every month. For more information about our new series or to add your name to our email list (for weekly updates) contact the box office @ 375-HIPP or email the cinema: hippfilms@gru.net.