By Madison Smith Managing editor of content 

The story of Romeo and Juliet has been told time and time again, with countless reimaginings and interpretations spanning centuries. From traditional stage productions to modern film adaptations, audiences are no strangers to the tragic tale of star-crossed lovers. The University of Montevallo recently debuted its own interpretation of William Shakespeare’s classic play. Unfortunately, this production stands out, not for its creativity or innovation, but as one of the more featureless interpretations of the tragic love story I have seen. 

Now, before the pitchforks and torches come out — the same way they did when our editor-in-chief published his famously scathing review of “Punk Rock Girl” — let me clarify my intentions here. My goal is not simply to tear down a production for sport. Rather, it’s to point out that when staging a work as large and well-known as “Romeo and Juliet,” the most essential starting point is a solid understanding of the text itself. Without that foundation, even the boldest creative choices can miss the mark. 

With that in mind, it’s worth looking at the elements that shape a production before a single line is even delivered. The visual world of a play helps establish the time, tone and emotional stakes of the story. When these pieces work together, they pull the audience into Shakespeare’s Verona. When they don’t, the illusion falls apart. Unfortunately, several design choices in this production made it difficult to stay immersed in the world the play was trying to create. 

Set and Lighting Design 

Starting off, I would like to say that I will happily donate whatever funds are necessary for the University of Montevallo theatre department to use something other than blank scaffolding as a “set design.” The set left everything to the imagination. In fact, my imagination was working overtime simply trying to determine where each scene was supposed to take place. I often found myself missing lines of dialogue because I was too busy trying to decode the egregiously minimal staging in front of me. If the goal was to transport the audience to Verona, the production instead left us stranded somewhere between a construction site and a rehearsal that never quite made it to opening night. 

The only real saving grace within the set was the lighting design. Credit is due to the lighting designer, whose work did its best to guide the audience through what often felt like a theatrical scavenger hunt of “Where in the world is this scene supposed to be?” Their ornate stained glass lighting design and soft mood lighting transitions offered stunning visual clues about the setting. Without it, I might still be trying to determine exactly where this version of the show was meant to take place. 

Costumes 

While the lighting attempted to bring some sense of place to the stage, the costume design also tried its absolute best to clarify the production’s overall vision. Costumes often serve as an anchor for the audience, helping establish time period, character status and the world of the play itself. In this case, I can safely say that these were some of the more impressive costumes I’ve seen from a theatre production in the last four years. 

I will give credit where credit is due. The costume design was, in many ways, one of the stronger visual elements of the production. I found myself more than a little jealous of the styling choices for nearly every character on stage. The garments were ornate and stylish, enhancing the presence of each performer and giving many characters a distinct visual identity. If only there had been a more cohesive set to match their level of detail. My favorite ensemble by far belonged to the Capulet family. Their rich dark red tones and shimmering accents complemented each character beautifully and helped reinforce the family’s prominence within the story. However, the unfortunate award for the most questionable costume choice of the evening must go to my dear Romeo. 

I need someone from the costuming team to please sit me down, hold my hand and gently explain why the leading man spent the evening in a pair of dark-wash Levi’s, a clashing blue shirt and a vest that appeared to belong to an entirely different outfit. Nothing in the ensemble seemed to agree with anything else. It was as if the tragic romantic lead had gotten dressed in the dark after a particularly long night in Verona. Don’t even get me started on the overtly distracting atrocity that was the silver neck piece that kept falling out of his shirt during the entire performance, the piece looked as though it was stolen from Abby Lee Miller’s rejected jewelry box and added nothing to the already heinous outfit selection. Now, I’m no member of the fashion police, but I do feel compelled to ask the most important question of the evening: “wherefore art thou, Romeo’s actual costume?” Because it certainly wasn’t on stage. 

Acting 

Now I would like to commend each actor for taking on the absolute juggernaut that is Elizabethan Shakespeare language. Taking on such a deeply rich text such as “Romeo and Juliet” is no easy task and must be approached with great care so the interpretations are not lost on the audience. 

When tackling Shakespeare, time is always the enemy. Every actor must dedicate their time to fully understanding and interpreting each individual line of text in order to give the best performance possible. In many ways, approaching Shakespeare mirrors the study of a foreign language. Each word carries weight, each phrase layered with meaning that extends beyond its surface. Without that careful translation and analysis, the risk is not only confusion, but misinterpretation that can feel disconnected from the playwright’s intent. 

That level of textual precision is essential, as even small oversights can lead to moments that feel underdeveloped or unclear. Unfortunately, there were several instances where the text did not appear to be fully explored, resulting in choices that lacked clarity or depth. In a work as meticulously constructed as “Romeo and Juliet,” fully fleshing out the language is not just beneficial; it is necessary to honor both the story and its enduring impact. 

The entire cast deserves praise for tackling such a text-rich production with dedication and skill, and several actors, in particular, rose above to deliver truly memorable performances. 

Two standouts were Emma Rines as the Nurse and Makayla Hemphill as Mercutio. 

Rines, in particular, delivered a performance that was both captivating and commanding. Her presence onstage was engaging, and her command of diction and inflection demonstrated a clear understanding of the text. She brought humor and an eccentric energy to the role, making her portrayal especially memorable. 

As a new face in the Montevallo Theatre Department, Rines shows a very bright future as a performer. I was absolutely astounded by her presence and look forward to seeing her in upcoming productions. 

Now my favorite character of the entire show: Makayla Hemphill was an absolute force of nature as Mercutio. From the moment she stepped onstage, her presence was magnetic, commanding attention with every gesture and glance. Her line delivery was flawless—each word punctuated with precision and wit, leaving me hanging on every syllable. Hemphill’s effortless swagger, charm, and energy dominated the stage, making every scene she inhabited feel electric. 

Mercutio is already a beloved character in any production, but Hemphill’s interpretation elevated the role to extraordinary heights. She balanced humor, charisma, and intensity with such skill that it was impossible not to be completely captivated by her performance. Truly, she was phenomenal from start to finish, leaving a lasting impression that will be remembered long after the curtain fell. 

Overall, while the production may have struggled with set cohesion and occasional textual clarity, the dedication and talent of the cast were undeniable. The University of Montevallo’s theatre department took on a monumental challenge with “Romeo and Juliet,” and despite some missteps, there were moments of brilliance that shone through. Exceptional performances and the commitment of the entire cast reminds us why Shakespeare’s stories continue to captivate audiences centuries later. With refinement in design and a deeper exploration of the text, I look forward to future Shakespearean interpretations.