R&J-Prologue

Well, here begins the official start of the Romeo and Juliet blog. Though I'm currently directing a show outside of the school, I'm getting a really early jump on the play, mostly due to the fact that I want it to be awesome. I've been lucky enough to find a R&J script online that has been whittled down to a nice time of about 2 hours, and I have been making my own adjustments as well, including adding in my stage directions and blocking and all that. So far I've got about three scenes figured out, My stage design idea is in Joe's hands, and there's a lot of really good ideas I need to try and fit in (such as Mercutio throwing one of his boots at someone--possibly Tybalt). So...to those of you who are somewhat uncertain about R&J in 1860's Texas, here's a little sample for you. Ignore my grandiose stage directions...they give me and idea of what I'm aiming for...

PROLOGUE

[We begin in the dark. “Amazing Grace” is hummed quietly by the cast as a single dim pin spot comes up, center. We see Pastor Lawrence in front of two pine boxes containing the bodies of Romeo and Juliet--both boxes are propped up so that we may see them inside. Though this is an invitation for the audience to watch the story unfold, it should also seem like a funeral homily given by a man who is grief stricken for his part in these senseless deaths, and still angry at the families for carrying on this feud.]

PASTOR LAWRENCE
Two households, both alike in dignity,

[On SL the Capulet Parents light their candles, while the Montagues mirror on SR. The flames are passed on to the candles of the other actors who are surrounding the action, creating an onstage vigil.]
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life,
Whose misadventured piteous overthrows
Doth with their death bury their parents' strife.
The fearful passage of their death-mark'd love,
And the continuance of their parents' rage,
Which, but their children's end, naught could remove,
Is now the two hours' traffic of our stage.

[As the ensemble slowly leaves the stage, they sing the following verse hauntingly-- almost in a whisper.Pastor Lawrence takes a moment to pray for the dead, then quietly closes the boxes--Romeo first, then Juliet.]

ENSEMBLE

Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease;
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

[Seamless Transition. Pin down as boxes come off, colored scrim reveals the silhouette of the set. Lights immediately up SR as Gregory and Sampson enter, headed to the saloon. Full lights come up to reveal the main set. Various townspeople return to fill the stage]