Theater combines verbal, sign language in Romeo and Juliet production

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Most of us know the story of the star-crossed lovers Romeo and Juliet; now it's being told in a whole new way here in Chicago.

It's called a verbal and signed production as part of experimental theater happening at a small local performance space.

Actors who normally don't work side-by-side are now making magic - and making history.

It's called "R+J: The Vineyard" - a totally new take on Shakespeare's classic. In this production from Chicago's Red Theater Company, Romeo and Juliet are both deaf.

"Early on the real goal was to not just do dual theater where the play is normal but there's also sign language off to the side or there's subtitles up high, you know, we wanted to keep everything inclusive, but you can understand everything in the play if you stay cool," said Aaron Sawyer, director, Red Theater. "Because that's what the play is about, you know the two different families feuding about hearing versus deaf culture."

Developed over the course of two years, the story is set in Martha's Vineyard during what was then a thriving deaf/hearing bilingual community. Romeo's family, the Montagues, embrace sign language while Juliet's family, the Capulets - also deaf - are "oralists" who want nothing to do with signing. The play's cast includes both hearing and deaf actors.

Brendan Connelly, who plays Romeo, is totally deaf and has been acting since he was a child.

"And I've also pulled in some of my own personal experiences as a person, or some situation that I think might possibly happen and how the situation would affect me if I were involved as a person," Connelly said. "And I try to embody those emotions and experiences through the best way that I can."

The production required some precise staging so that the audience can always see the actor's lips. Hearing actress McKenna Liesman says it's all been a wonderful challenge for her. She plays Juliet here but in reality, she's still learning sign language.

"I came into this with probably a year of studying under my belt. And this entire role I sign the entire show. Juliet speaks maybe four or five lines. The rest is all in my hands," Liesman said.

It's in cooperation with the Oracle Public Access Theatre, which means there is no admission. The play is meant to be a learning experience.

"A lot of people have not interacted with a deaf person before and here in our audience we've had 20 deaf people enjoying the show alongside 20 hearing people, and at the end of the play, it's standing and clapping and standing and doing the deaf applause and stomping. And it's the best feeling ever," Sawyer said.

"R+J the Vineyard" is running at the Oracle Theatre on North Broadway Fridays through Mondays until Nov. 21.

"R+J: The Vineyard"

Oct. 24-Nov. 21, 2015

Oracle Theatre

3809 N. Broadway, Chicago

Reservations: www.publicaccesstheatre.org