By David Gordan
Accompanying “Hamlet” this Shakespeare Festival season is “This Bud of Love,” an hour-long adaptation of another classic Shakespeare play, “Romeo and Juliet.”
Adapted by Professor Maureen McFeely of the English department and directed by Adjunct Professor Jon Cantor of the drama department. “Bud of Love’s” title stems from “…this bud of love… may prove a beauteous flower when next we meet…” and is geared primarily towards those unfamiliar with the Bard’s work and younger audiences.
McFeely’s adaptation both helps and hinders the material. On one hand, it brings the focus to the core story, the tragic love of Romeo and Juliet (the delightful Andrew Huber and Casey O’Keefe).
On the other hand, the cuts, along with the fact that a number of the actors double- and triple-up on roles, remove some much-needed opportunities for character development.
This is no reflection on the cast, for they make the production as enjoyable as it is. The blonde O’Keefe is a radiant Juliet, beautifully capturing the na’veté of youthful love. It’s no wonder why Romeo falls in love with her and, quite-frankly, vice versa. The engaging Huber is a charmingly gawky Romeo. It’s clear they’re very comfortable together-as though they’ve been playing opposite each other for years-and, between them, there is an undeniable spark of chemistry.
Lily Goodman is a hoot as Juliet’s nursemaid and Michael Quattrone makes a strong, jumpy impression as Romeo’s cousin Benvolio. The rest of the cast does fine work (especially tough-as-nails Dina Massery playing Lady Capulet), but it’s hard to keep track of who’s who when they exit, only to return five lines later wearing a costume only slightly different as a completely different character.
This production marks the first time the Shakespeare Festival’s companion piece will have a life after the festival. Thanks to a generous endowment, it will tour local high schools. Because of this and the fact that the recreated Globe stage on which they play won’t tour with them, Jon Cantor’s production had to be staged to allow for, according to program notes, “maximum flexibility.”
Sarah Reeb has designed pretty, unobtrusive drop-curtains depicting the various stages of the night sky (night is, of course, romantic). Julia Cutler’s costumes are simple and appealing and maintain the period-specific nature of Cantor’s staging. he lighting is attractive as well, though there’s no mention of its designer in the program.
Jon Cantor’s campy production has emphasized the physicality of the piece and it works for the most part. It’s perhaps a bit too obtrusive during the slightly overlong sequence when Romeo and Juliet meet their tragic end. Wisely, Cantor has guided his cast to deliver lines to the audience, complete with eye contact at points. This makes it easier for the actors to capture the attention of the audience. The production also features some dazzling fight choreography by Robert Westley (with assistance from Charles Rohlfs), which will also surely draw in the attention of the younger crowd.
It was wise that the drama department chose the story of Romeo and Juliet to kick-off their “companion piece touring company.” Everyone knows the story, perhaps some can even relate to the forbidden love aspect. Fortunately, despite a few shortcomings, this production will not be responsible for turning the youth of Long Island off to Shakespeare-quite the contrary!.
The final performances of “This Bud of Love” will occur on Thursday, March 13 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, March 15 at 2 p.m.