R&J The Tempest Too takes stage February with La Florida as its backdrop
“In fair Florida where we lay our scene, a brave new world like few have seen”
Fort Lauderdale, FL
There have been many adaptations of Shakespeare’s classic Romeo & Juliet but Grace Arts FL’s version titled R&J The Tempest Too is distinctly Floridian.
Theatre goers on February 17th-19th, will be treated to two classic plays combined and re-imagined for Florida at the time of Shakespeare. The play R&J The Tempest Too draws from actual history and leaves the audience with a current day message.
R&J The Tempest Too delves into the accounts of pioneers, immigrants and migrants shipwrecked in Florida and their journeys through the state during the time Shakespeare penned his last original work, The Tempest.
“The cast of R&J The Tempest Too are international and local Artists performing Afro-Cuban and American Ballet, plus a Spoken Word Narrator, said Director Clare Vickery of Grace Arts FL. History and current events are interwoven in a fast paced drama suitable for all audiences. It has a twist inspired by Shakespeare’s earliest and final works — and current events,” she added.
The setting is early 1600 when English, Spanish, French and other European monarchies contracted explorers to find out more about the rest of the world and religious wars were forcing many to flee to the Americas. Jamestown was being founded in Virginia in what would become the thirteen colonies — and what would become Florida was very much a place of intrigue and interest.
‘La Florida’ ‘flowering Easter’ coast and peoples were exotic, sometimes dangerous, said Director Vickery, but many braved the ocean and the harsh and isolated life they’d find for safer havens. Other visitors to our shores shipwrecked and were tossed about by unimaginable tempests — with personal journals that rival the wildest fictions.”
Vickery said this production reimagines Florida at the time of Shakespeare. The choreography and a new mysterious Narrator in spoken-word takes the audience on a fast moving journey from ‘La Florida’ of the past into the future.
Choreographers from Cuba and with African American roots create three masterful works performed at key moments in the play emphasizing American history and blended plots of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ (R&J) and ‘The Tempest’ to bring about a surprise ending that feels very current!
“Even now, Shakespeare’s words, characters and stories apply to our own lives, our own situations — his plays and poetry continue to be some of the most influential works in Western literature. With this project, we’re hoping to show a blend of both contemporary and Classical art, to tell a story that’s both historical and timeless.”
Skye Whitcomb Artistic Director, Outré Theatre Company
“We believe in the power of culturally engaging programs to strengthen our communities like PNC’s Arts Alive. Grace Arts not only compliments South Florida’s assemblage of beautiful visual and performing arts, but it supports the cultural vitality of this region.
Cressman Bronson, Regional President, PNC Bank, Florida East
What: R&J The Tempest Too
Who: Choreography by top rated Ballet Artist, Isanusi Garcia Rodriguez and Gentry Isaiah George, Founder and Creative Director of Zest Collective with Zest Collective Performance Art Group from New York City featuring international award-winning dance artists Lukasz Zieba and Mariusz Daniel Kujawski from Poland with Midori Nonaka and Riiko Kitayama from Japan. And special performances by Dance Artist, Christie Scitturo, and the Actors of Outre Theatre Company
Friday, February 17th, 2017
The Velocity Center on the campus of the historic First Baptist Church of Fort Lauderdale 301 East Broward Boulevard (corner of Broward and Third Avenue) Parking at rear and entrance to Velocity Center.
Saturday Matinee, February 18th, 2017
Lightbox/Goldman Warehouse/Wynwood: February 18th
Saturday Evening, February 18th, 2017 Lightbox/Goldman Warehouse/Wynwood
Sunday evening, February 19th, 2017 VIP Sponsor performance Miami Hispanic Cultural Arts Center
Tickets & More Info: @GraceArtsFL
Produced by Grace Arts FL with Clare Vickery and co-directors Skye Whitcomb, Shannon Oullette (of Outre Theatre) with Gentry Isaiah George (Zest Collective) and Isanusi Garcia Rodriguez.
