Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces the cast and creative team for Romeo y Julieta, Karen Zacarías and Henry Godinez's bilingual adaptation of Shakespeare's classic. Victor Musoni and Clarisa Gomez Rodriguez star as Romeo and Julieta, leading a talented cast that features Charín Álvarez, Debo Balogun, Jean Claudio, Laura Crotte, John Drea, Lucy Godinez, Colin Huerta, Esteban Ortiz-Villacorta, Sandor Menendez, James Vincent Meredith, Claudia Quesada, and Christopher Llewyn Ramirez. Directed by Godinez, the dynamic 90-minute production is performed in both English and Spanish with projected bilingual translation and runs January 29–March 14 in the Jentes Family Courtyard Theater.

Pasión. Venganza. Tragedia. Romeo meets Julieta and their love shakes the very soul of the worlds they thought they knew. Shakespeare's classic tale of star-crossed young lovers from feuding families is transported to Miami in the early 1960s, as an influx of Cuban exiles find their dreams of returning to their homeland at odds with the reality of their new home. As conflict escalates between the Montescos and Capuletas, the young couple defy the enmity between their families and the prejudices of their community—only to discover that love is the true universal language.

Godinez shared, "My favorite old t-shirt, which I've proudly worn to tatters, is from NYC's Shakespeare in the Park with the words 'SHAKESPEARE PARA TODOS' emblazoned on the front. I'm sure at some point I wore that shirt to Chicago Shakespeare Theater 18 years ago when Karen Zacarías and I were first developing this bilingual adaptation of Romeo and Juliet. Now, the opportunity to present this Romeo y Julieta at one of the great cultural institutions in the heart of our city is a tremendous source of pride and validation. It shows the universality of the greatest writer—and perhaps the greatest story ever written—in the English language. It proves, like my tattered t-shirt says, that 'SHAKESPEARE IS FOR EVERYONE!'"

"It's a joy to welcome Henry Godinez back to CST with Romeo y Julieta, an adaptation he and Karen Zacarías first began developing here nearly two decades ago," said Artistic Director Edward Hall. "Shakespeare belongs to every language and every audience, and Romeo y Julieta expresses that beautifully. It is a celebration of everything this city is, and a production that feels immediate and welcoming for audiences of every background and for the thousands of students who will experience it with us this winter."

In the role of Romeo, Victor Musoni returns to CST after Rome Sweet Rome. His Chicago credits include Theater of the Mind and Toni Stone at Goodman Theatre, Fat Ham at Definition Theatre and Goodman Theatre, and Miz Martha at Steppenwolf Theatre. Clarisa Gomez Rodriguez makes her CST debut as Julieta. A Northwestern University student, her credits include Man of La Mancha and In the Time of the Butterflies at the Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts.

The company also includes Charín Álvarez as Lady Capuleta (CST debut, with credits at Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Victory Gardens Theater, Remy Bumppo Theatre Company, Teatro Vista and more), Debo Balogun as Mercutio (Richard III, Measure for Measure at CST, with credits at Steep Theatre, Lookingglass Theatre Company and more), Jean Claudio as Peter (Corduroy at CST, with credits at The Goodman Theatre, Teatro Vista and more), Laura Crotte as the Nurse (CST debut; Pedro Páramo, Esperanza Rising at Goodman Theatre; La Ruta at Steppenwolf Theatre Company), John Drea as Friar Laurence (Short Shakespeare! A Midsummer Night's Dream at CST; Death of a Salesman, Little Bear Ridge Road on Broadway; Little Bear Ridge Road at Steppenwolf Theatre Company), Lucy Godinez as Balthasar (CST debut; American Mariachi at Goodman Theatre; Mean Girls at Paramount Theatre), Colin Huerta as Tybalt (The Merry Wives of Windsor, Much Ado About Nothing at CST), Esteban Ortiz -Villacorta as Paris (The Winter's Tale, A Midsummer Night's Dream and Shakespeare in the Parks: The Hero Within at CST), Sándor Menéndez as Capuleta (Measure for Measure at CST; Pedro Páramo at Goodman Theatre; more than ten years with Teatro Buendía in Cuba), James Vincent Meredith as the Prince (Hymn, Othello, Much Ado About Nothing, Julius Caesar at CST; The Book of Mormon on Broadway; ensemble member at Steppenwolf Theatre Company), Claudia Quesada as Lady Montesco/Apothecary (CST debut; On Your Feet! at Drury Lane Theatre; ¡Bernarda! at Teatro Vista), and Christopher Llewyn Ramirez as Benvolio (director of Shakes in the City: A Midsummer Night's Dream at CST; Inherit the Wind and American Mariachi at Goodman Theatre).

A Havana native, director Henry Godinez is a co-founder of Teatro Vista and the Sabl Resident Director at Goodman Theatre, where he most recently directed Inherit the Wind, Fannie, and American Mariachi. He returns to Chicago Shakespeare, where he first appeared in 1989 in Barbara Gaines' Cymbeline, and went on to perform in ten productions as well as to direct 2022's highly acclaimed Measure for Measure.

Godinez is joined on the creative team by Scenic Designer Sotirios Livaditis, Costume Designer Raquel Adorno, Lighting Designer María-Cristina Fusté, Sound Designers Rob Milburn & Michael Bodeen, Fight/Intimacy Choreographer Chels Morgan, as well as Associate Scenic Designer A Inn Doo, Associate Costume Designer Mackenzie Mitchell, Production Stage Manager Rolando Linanres, and Assistant Stage Manager Maydi Diaz Vazquez.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater serves more students and teachers than any theater in Chicago. In addition to public performances, Romeo y Julieta will be the centerpiece of the Theater's student matinee series—welcoming 14,000+ students and educators to 26 dedicated school performances throughout the run.

Romeo y Julieta is a highlight of Chicago Theatre Week 2027! Presented by the League of Chicago Theatres in partnership with Choose Chicago, this highly-anticipated annual event invites visitors and locals to sample the extraordinary range of theatrical offerings throughout Chicago.

Available Chicago Theatre Week performances: 

Feb. 5-7, 10, 12-14 at 2:00 pm – 7 total performances

Opening is set for 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 31.

Chicago Shakespeare strives to make its facility and performances accessible to all patrons. Accessible seating, assistive listening devices, large-print and Braille programs, and sensory tools are available at every performance.

More information at www.chicagoshakes.com/romeo-y-julieta or on social media at @chicagoshakes.

Romeo y Julieta

By William Shakespeare

Adapted by Karen Zacarías and Henry Godinez 

Directed by Henry Godinez

January 29 – March 14, 2027

The Jentes Family Courtyard Theater 

PUBLIC LISTING

• Wednesdays at 2:00 pm

(no matinee February 17, February 24, and March 3)

• Thursday, March 11 at 7:00 pm
• Fridays at 7:00 p.m. (no evening March 12)
• Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 pm

(no evening January 30, and no matinee February 6 and February 13)

• Sundays at 2:00 pm

CREATIVE TEAM

Henry Godinez – Director & Adaptor

Karen Zacarías – Adaptor

Sotirios Livaditis - Scenic Designer

Raquel Adorno - Costume Designer

María-Cristina Fusté - Lighting Designer  

Rob Milburn - Sound Designer

Michael Bodeen - Sound Designer

Chels Morgan - Fight/Intimacy Choreographer

Bob Mason – Chicago Casting

A Inn Doo - Associate Scenic Designer

Mackenzie Mitchell - Associate Costume Designer

Rolando Linares – Production Stage Manager

Maydi Diaz Vazquez – Assistant Stage Manager

CAST

Victor Musoni – Romeo Clarisa

Gomez Rodriguez – Julieta

Charín Álvarez – Lady Capuleto

Debo Balogun – Mercutio

Jean Claudio – Peter

Laura Crotte – Nurse

John Drea – Friar Laurence

Lucy Godinez – Balthasar

Colin Huerta – Tybalt

Esteban Ortiz-Villacorta – Paris

Sandor Menendez – Capuleto

James Vincent Meredith – Prince

Claudia Quesada – Lady Montesco/Apothecary

Christopher Llewyn Ramirez – Benvolio

CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE THEATER (CST)

CST is a leading international theater company and the nation's largest year-round theater dedicated to the works of Shakespeare. Under the visionary leadership of Artistic Director Edward Hall and Executive Director Kimberly Motes, the Regional Tony Award recipient is committed to creating vivid, entertaining theatrical experiences that invigorate and engage people of all ages and identities by illuminating the complexity, ambiguity, and wonder of our world. With Shakespeare at the heart of the artistic work, CST also produces compelling, contemporary stories from fresh voices of today. CST brings the world to Chicago and sends Chicago out into the world as Chicago's foremost presenter of international theater, and consistent producer of North American and world premieres. Serving more students and teachers than any theater in the city, CST annually welcomes more than 20,000 students to performances and programs like Chicago Shakespeare SLAM, alongside professional development opportunities for teachers. CST activates its campus with three venues: 700-seat The Yard; the 500-seat Jentes Family Courtyard Theater; and the 200-seat Carl and Marilynn Thoma Upstairs Studio. Shared humanity and unforgettable stories—now THIS is Chicago Shakespeare. www.chicagoshakes.com/romeo-y-julieta