Cast set for Shakespeare in the Park's 'Romeo & Juliet'

The Public Theater will present Shakespeare's classic tragedy at the Delacorte Theater beginning in late May as part of its annual free summer series.

Summary

• The Shakespeare in the Park production of Romeo & Juliet will run May 22 to June 28 at the Delacorte Theater
• Daniel Bravo Hernández and Ra’Mya Latiah Aikens star in the title roles alongside Broadway stars like LaChanze; Okieriete Onaodowan; Deirdre O'Connell; and Francis Jue
• The show will be performed in English and Spanish

The Public Theater has set casting for its Shakespeare in the Park production of Romeo & Juliet, running at the Delacorte Theater from May 22 to June 28. Opening night is June 11.

The cast includes Daniel Bravo Hernández as Romeo, Ra’Mya Latiah Aikens as Juliet, Sergio Mauritz Ang as Friar John, Rachel Crowl as Apothecary, Caleb Joshua Eberhardt as Mercutio, Francis Jue as Friar Laurence, Ariyan Kassam as Tybalt, LaChanze as Lady Capulet, Deirdre O’Connell as Nurse, Jason Manuel Olazábal as Lord Montague, Okieriete Onaodowan as Benvolio, Jessica Pimentel as Escalus, Mariand Torres as Lady Montague, and Marlon Xavier and Andrés Nicolás Chaves as ensemble members. Additional casting will be announced at a later date.

Romeo & Juliet will also feature scenic design by Maruti Evans, costume design by Oana Botez, lighting design by Christopher Akerlind, sound design by Mike Tracey, prop management by Jessica Zivny, original music composition by Michael Thurber, hair and wig design by Krystal Balleza, fight direction by Thomas Schall, and intimacy direction by Kelsey Rainwater.

Shakespeare's romantic tragedy follows two star-crossed teens who defy their families' feud in the name of forbidden love. Director Saheem Ali's staging unfolds primarily in English, but Romeo and Juliet speak in Spanish, a language reserved only for each other.

“While Romeo & Juliet endures as one of the greatest love stories ever told, it is equally a cautionary tale about the devastating consequences of division within a society. We are living through an extraordinary and painful moment, witnessing the loss of our fellow citizens as we wage war over the very question of who belongs in America,” Ali said in a statement.

“Shakespeare has something urgent and heartbreaking to say about how the young and innocent become collateral in wars they did not choose. I am thrilled to bring this play back to The Delacorte for only the third time in our 64-year history, in a production that puts Spanish language at the heart of the lovers’ story.”

Tickets to all Shakespeare in the Park productions are free and allotted via digital lotteries and in-person distributions in all five boroughs.

Photo credit: Daniel Bravo Hernández and Ra’Mya Latiah Aikens. (Photos courtesy of production)