Can Romeo and Juliet rewrite the stars?
“If Music be the food of love, play on
Give me excess of it…”
Orsino from Twelfth Night (I,i,1-2)
Company Name: The Admirals Men were a theatre troupe in Shakespeare’s day. Give yourselves a name. Something that says, “Hey, we know our Shakespeare. Hire us, okay?”
Act 1: Jonathan, Elyse, Colby, Haywood, Bill, Duc
Act 2: James, Ethan, Nick, Monique, Eliza, Owen
Act 3: Chloe, Rachel, Cora, Caroline, Emily, Felix
Act 4: Allison, Sydney, Talah, Sophie, Izzy, Rebecca
Act 5: Matt, Cole, Nikita, Tony, Will
Timeline: Four Classes: Writing Script (2) Rehearsal (1) Performances (1)
Script: Ten-minute Shakespeare: We should see a script with 50% Shakespearean text and 50% popular music lyrics. You must choose a theme and express it in either a series of moments in the play or you can do a quick cross section of the major moments. You must, however, have a unified beginning and end for the piece.
Soundtrack: How will you incorporate music into the piece? Will you develop a pop music soundtrack to line-up with the performance? Remember, that we also need to hear the actors. Will you use a classic music backdrop? Whatever you do, MAKE SURE THAT THE MUSIC FITS WITH YOUR THEME AND OVERALL VISION. In other words, if you choose a hip hop soundtrack, that will certainly influence the performance and theme. It may also influence how you cut the script. Maybe lines from the play can be sung or performed in spoken word (It certainly was meant to be sung, in a sense). Will you go Glee or Moulin Rouge and sing a pop song at major intervals. KEY: TAKE PRE-EXISTING SONGS AND TURN THEM INTO DUETS. CHANGE AND TWEEK LYRICS TO FIT PURPOSE.
Rehearsing and Choreography: THIS IS WHAT I WILL ALSO BE THINKING ABOUT WHEN I GRADE YOUR FINAL PERFORMANCE. MOVE AROUND PEOPLE! I will help you during rehearsals. For the songs (at least) have the lines and cues memorized. All prose and Shakespearean verse should be memorized to help the performance flow. Also, make sure all costumes and sets are ready to go and easy to execute. Also, make sure you have the music cued up and ready to go. Rehearsals are key.
Performances. If you are sick or cannot make it, you need to make the necessary arrangements with your group and Mr. Pellerin. Treat this assignment with the same respect as an exam. If you leave your group high and dry on performance day with no phone call or explanation, expect an F on the assignment.
So, what do I hand in?
1. A final cut script with song lyrics to Turnitin.com
2. A timeline explaining what was accomplished, as well as a list of who did what and when.
3. An actual performance. No more than 10 minutes long.
NOTE: Use of class/homework time will be a huge factor in your grade!!!
This will count as 1-2 major assessment grades
Example #1: You Just Haven't Met Juliet
LADY MONTAGUE
O, where is Romeo? Saw you him to-day?
Right glad I am he was not at this fray.
BENVOLIO
Madam, an hour before the worshipp'd sun
Peer'd forth the golden window of the east,
A troubled mind drave me to walk abroad;
Where, underneath the grove of sycamore
That westward rooteth from the city's side,
So early walking did I see your son:
Towards him I made, but he was ware of me
And stole into the covert of the wood:
I, measuring his affections by my own,
That most are busied when they're most alone,
Pursued my humour not pursuing his,
And gladly shunn'd who gladly fled from me.
MONTAGUE
He, his own affections' counsellor,
Is to himself--I will not say how true--
But to himself so secret and so close,
So far from sounding and discovery,
As is the bud bit with an envious worm,
Ere he can spread his sweet leaves to the air,
Or dedicate his beauty to the sun.
Could we but learn from whence his sorrows grow?
We would as willingly give cure as know.
Enter ROMEO
BENVOLIO
See, where he comes: so please you, step aside;
I'll know his grievance, or be much denied.
Exeunt MONTAGUE and LADY MONTAGUE
BENVOLIO
Good-morrow, cousin.
ROMEO
Is the day so young?
BENVOLIO
But new struck nine.
ROMEO
Ay me! Sad hours seem long.
Was that my father that went hence so fast?
BENVOLIO
It was. What sadness lengthens Romeo's hours?
ROMEO
Not having that, which, having, makes them short.
BENVOLIO
In love?
ROMEO
Out—
BENVOLIO
Of love?
ROMEO
Out of her favour, where I am in love.
BENVOLIO
With whom?
ROMEO
Rosaline and she'll not be hit
With Cupid's arrow; she hath Dian's wit.
BENVOLIO
Then she hath sworn that she will still live chaste?
ROMEO
She hath, and in that sparing makes huge waste -
BENVOLIO
Alas, that love, so gentle in his view,
Should be so tyrannous and rough in proof!
ROMEO
Alas, that love, whose view is muffled still,
Should, without eyes, see pathways to his will!
Where shall we dine?
O me! What fray was here?
Yet tell me not, for I have heard it all.
Here's much to do with hate, but more with love.
Why, then, O brawling love! O loving hate!
O any thing, of nothing first create!
O heavy lightness! serious vanity!
Mis-shapen chaos of well-seeming forms!
Feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire,
sick health!
Still-waking sleep, that is not what it is!
This love feel I, that feel no love in this.
Dost thou not laugh?
BENVOLIO
No, coz, I rather weep.
ROMEO
Good heart, at what?
(Servant enters and hands Benvolio and invitation and exits)
BENVOLIO
At thy good heart's oppression.
Coz, I just obtained an invitation to a party
At this same ancient feast of Capulet's
Sups the fair Rosaline whom thou so lovest,
With all the admired beauties of Verona:
Go thither; and, with unattainted eye,
Compare her face with some that I shall show,
And I will make thee think thy swan a crow.
ROMEO
When the devout religion of mine eye
Maintains such falsehood, then turn tears to fires;
And these, who often drown'd could never die,
Transparent heretics, be burnt for liars!
One fairer than my love! the all-seeing sun
Ne'er saw her match since first the world begun.
BENVOLIO
Tut, you saw her fair, none else being by,
Herself poised with herself in either eye:
But in that crystal scales let there be weigh'd
Your lady's love against some other maid….
BENVOLIO begins singing “I Just Haven’t Met You Yet” by Michael Buble
BENVOLIO
I'm not surprised
Not everything lasts
You've broken your heart so many times
I stopped keeping track.
ROMEO
Talk myself in,
I talk myself out.
I get all worked up
Then I let myself down.
I tried so very hard not to lose it
BENVOLIO
You came up with a million excuses
ROMEO
I thought I thought of every possibility
BENVOLIO
And I know someday that it'll all turn out
She'll make you work so you can work to work it out
And I promise you kid that you'll give so much more than you get
You just haven't met Juliet
Mmmmm ....
BENVOLIO
You might have to wait
ROMEO
I'll never give up
BENVOLIO
I guess it's half timing
ROMEO
And the other half's luck
BENVOLIO
Wherever you are
ROMEO
Whenever it's right
BENVOLIO
She'll come out of nowhere and into your life
JULIET enters
ROMEO (to JULIET)
And I know that we can be so amazing
JULIET (to ROMEO)
And baby your love is gonna change me
ROMEO
And now I can see every possibility
Hmmmmm ......
ROMEO and JULIET holding hands and singing in unison
ROMEO and JULIET
And somehow I know that it'll all turn out
And you'll make me work so we can work to work it out
ROMEO
And I promise you kid I'll give so much more than I get
JULIET
You just haven't met me yet
ROMEO
They say all's fair
JULIET
In love and war
ROMEO
But I won't need to fight it
JULIET
We'll get it by it
ROMEO and JULIET
We'll be united
ROMEO and JULIET dance during the interlude
ROMEO
And I know that we can be so amazing
JULIET
And being in your life is gonna kill me
ROMEO
And now I can see every single possibility
Hmmm .....
JULIET exits
ROMEO
And someday I know it'll all turn out
BENVOLIO enters
And I'll work to work it out
BENVOLIO
Promise you kid
ROMEO
I'll give more than I get
Than I get, than I get, than I get!
MERCUTIO enters
BENVOLIO, ROMEO and MERCUTIO (Dancing like the Rockettes)
Oh you know it'll all turn out
And you'll make me work so we can work to work it out
And I promise you kid to give so much more than I get
Yeah I just haven't met Juliet
ROMEO at center stage
ROMEO
I just haven't met Juliet
Oh promise you kid
To give so much more than I get
MERCUTIO and BENVOLIO
I said love love love love love love love .....
ROMEO
I just haven't met Juliet.
MERCUTIO and BENVOLIO
I said love love love love love love love .....
ROMEO
I just haven't met Juliet!
BENVOLIO
So come with me, Romeo
That I will show you shining at this feast,
And she shall scant show well that now shows best.
ROMEO
I'll go along, no such sight to be shown,
But to rejoice in splendor of mine own.
Exeunt
Example Two: Then I defy you stars!
PROLOGUE
Two households, both alike in dignity,
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
Do 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, nought could remove,
Is now the two hours' traffic of our stage;
The which if you with patient ears attend,
What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.
Romeo enters with Mercutio and their entourage in masks
ROMEO
I dream'd a dream to-night.
MERCUTIO
And so did I.
ROMEO
Well, what was yours?
MERCUTIO
That dreamers often lie.
ROMEO
I fear, too early: for my mind misgives
Some consequence yet hanging in the stars
Shall bitterly begin his fearful date
With this night's revels and expire the term
Of a despised life closed in my breast
By some vile forfeit of untimely death.
But He, that hath the steerage of my course,
Direct my sail!
Bell tolls.
On, lusty gentlemen.
They all exit but Romeo. Juliet enters.
ROMEO
O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!
It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night
Like a rich jewel in an Ethiope's ear;
Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear!
So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows,
As yonder lady o'er her fellows shows.
The measure done, I'll watch her place of stand,
And, touching hers, make blessed my rude hand.
Did my heart love till now? forswear it, sight!
For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night.
ROMEO
[To JULIET] If I profane with my unworthiest hand
This holy shrine, the gentle fine is this:
My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand
To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss.
JULIET
Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much,
Which mannerly devotion shows in this;
For saints have hands that pilgrims' hands do touch,
And palm to palm is holy palmers' kiss.
ROMEO
Have not saints lips, and holy palmers too?
JULIET
Ay, pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer.
ROMEO
O, then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do;
They pray, grant thou, lest faith turn to despair.
JULIET
Saints do not move, though grant for prayers' sake.
ROMEO
Then move not, while my prayer's effect I take.
Thus from my lips, by yours, my sin is purged.
JULIET
Then have my lips the sin that they have took.
ROMEO
Sin from thy lips? O trespass sweetly urged!
Give me my sin again.
JULIET
You kiss by the book.
BENVOLIO enters, whispers in ROMEO'S ear, and exits.
ROMEO
Is she a Capulet?
O dear account! my life is my foe's debt.
NURSE enters, whispers in JULIET"S ear, and exits.
JULIET
My only love sprung from my only hate!
Too early seen unknown, and known too late!
Prodigious birth of love it is to me,
That I must love a loathed enemy.
JULIET
O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?
Deny thy father and refuse thy name;
Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,
And I'll no longer be a Capulet.
Tis but thy name that is my enemy;
Thou art thyself, though not a Montague.
What's Montague? it is nor hand, nor foot,
Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part
Belonging to a man. O, be some other name!
What's in a name? that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet;
So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call'd,
Retain that dear perfection which he owes
Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name,
And for that name which is no part of thee
Take all myself.
ROMEO
I take thee at thy word:
Call me but love, and I'll be new baptized;
Henceforth I never will be Romeo.
JULIET
What man art thou that thus bescreen'd in night
So stumblest on my counsel?
ROMEO
By a name
I know not how to tell thee who I am:
My name, dear saint, is hateful to myself,
Because it is an enemy to thee;
Had I it written, I would tear the word.
JULIET
My ears have not yet drunk a hundred words
Of that tongue's utterance, yet I know the sound:
Art thou not Romeo and a Montague?
ROMEO
Neither, fair saint, if either thee dislike.
JULIET
How camest thou hither, tell me, and wherefore?
The orchard walls are high and hard to climb,
And the place death, considering who thou art,
If any of my kinsmen find thee here.
ROMEO
With love's light wings did I o'er-perch these walls;
For stony limits cannot hold love out,
And what love can do that dares love attempt;
Therefore thy kinsmen are no let to me.
JULIET
If they do see thee, they will murder thee.
ROMEO
Alack, there lies more peril in thine eye
Than twenty of their swords: look thou but sweet,
And I am proof against their enmity.
JULIET
I would not for the world they saw thee here.
ROMEO
I have night's cloak to hide me from their sight;
And but thou love me, let them find me here:
My life were better ended by their hate,
Than death prorogued, wanting of thy love.
JULIET
By whose direction found'st thou out this place?
ROMEO
By love, who first did prompt me to inquire;
He lent me counsel and I lent him eyes.
I am no pilot; yet, wert thou as far
As that vast shore wash'd with the farthest sea,
I would adventure for such merchandise.
JULIET
But our families will never conset to our love. It is impossible.
ROMEO begins singing to JULIET Rewrite the Stars from The Greatest Showman.
ROMEO
You know I want you
It's not a secret I try to hide
I know you want me
So don't keep saying our hands are tied
You claim it's not in the cards
Fate is pulling you miles away
And out of reach from me
But you're here in my heart
So who can stop me if I decide
That you're my destiny?
What if we rewrite the stars?
Say you were made to be mine
Nothing could keep us apart
You'd be the one I was meant to find
It's up to you, and it's up to me
No one can say what we get to be
So why don't we rewrite the stars?
Maybe the world could be ours
Tonight
JULIET
You think it's easy
You think I don't want to run to you
But there are mountains
And there are doors that we can't walk through
I know you're wondering why
Because we're able to be
Just you and me
Within these walls
But when we go outside
You're going to wake up and see that it was hopeless after all
No one can rewrite the stars
How can you say you'll be mine?
Everything keeps us apart
And I'm not the one you were meant to find
It's not up to you
It's not up to me
When everyone tells us what we can be
How can we rewrite the stars?
Say that the world can be ours
Tonight
TOGETHER
All I want is to fly with you
All I want is to fall with you
So just give me all of you
JULIET
It feels impossible (it's not impossible)
ROMEO
Is it impossible?
TOGETHER
Say that it's possible
How do we rewrite the stars?
Say you were made to be mine?
Nothing can keep us apart
'Cause you are the one I was meant to find
It's up to you
And it's up to me
No one can say what we get to be
And why don't we rewrite the stars?
Changing the world to be ours
JULIET
You know I want you
It's not a secret I try to hide
But I can't have you
We're bound to break and my hands are tied
JULIET turns to go
ROMEO
O, wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied
JULIET
What satisfaction canst thou have to-night?
ROMEO
The exchange of thy love's faithful vow for mine.
JULIET
I gave thee mine before thou didst request it:
And yet I would it were to give again.
ROMEO
Wouldst thou withdraw it? for what purpose, love?
JULIET
But to be frank, and give it thee again.
And yet I wish but for the thing I have:
My bounty is as boundless as the sea,
My love as deep; the more I give to thee,
The more I have, for both are infinite.
Give me excess of it…”
Orsino from Twelfth Night (I,i,1-2)
Company Name: The Admirals Men were a theatre troupe in Shakespeare’s day. Give yourselves a name. Something that says, “Hey, we know our Shakespeare. Hire us, okay?”
Act 1: Jonathan, Elyse, Colby, Haywood, Bill, Duc
Act 2: James, Ethan, Nick, Monique, Eliza, Owen
Act 3: Chloe, Rachel, Cora, Caroline, Emily, Felix
Act 4: Allison, Sydney, Talah, Sophie, Izzy, Rebecca
Act 5: Matt, Cole, Nikita, Tony, Will
Timeline: Four Classes: Writing Script (2) Rehearsal (1) Performances (1)
Script: Ten-minute Shakespeare: We should see a script with 50% Shakespearean text and 50% popular music lyrics. You must choose a theme and express it in either a series of moments in the play or you can do a quick cross section of the major moments. You must, however, have a unified beginning and end for the piece.
Soundtrack: How will you incorporate music into the piece? Will you develop a pop music soundtrack to line-up with the performance? Remember, that we also need to hear the actors. Will you use a classic music backdrop? Whatever you do, MAKE SURE THAT THE MUSIC FITS WITH YOUR THEME AND OVERALL VISION. In other words, if you choose a hip hop soundtrack, that will certainly influence the performance and theme. It may also influence how you cut the script. Maybe lines from the play can be sung or performed in spoken word (It certainly was meant to be sung, in a sense). Will you go Glee or Moulin Rouge and sing a pop song at major intervals. KEY: TAKE PRE-EXISTING SONGS AND TURN THEM INTO DUETS. CHANGE AND TWEEK LYRICS TO FIT PURPOSE.
Rehearsing and Choreography: THIS IS WHAT I WILL ALSO BE THINKING ABOUT WHEN I GRADE YOUR FINAL PERFORMANCE. MOVE AROUND PEOPLE! I will help you during rehearsals. For the songs (at least) have the lines and cues memorized. All prose and Shakespearean verse should be memorized to help the performance flow. Also, make sure all costumes and sets are ready to go and easy to execute. Also, make sure you have the music cued up and ready to go. Rehearsals are key.
Performances. If you are sick or cannot make it, you need to make the necessary arrangements with your group and Mr. Pellerin. Treat this assignment with the same respect as an exam. If you leave your group high and dry on performance day with no phone call or explanation, expect an F on the assignment.
So, what do I hand in?
1. A final cut script with song lyrics to Turnitin.com
2. A timeline explaining what was accomplished, as well as a list of who did what and when.
3. An actual performance. No more than 10 minutes long.
NOTE: Use of class/homework time will be a huge factor in your grade!!!
This will count as 1-2 major assessment grades
Example #1: You Just Haven't Met Juliet
LADY MONTAGUE
O, where is Romeo? Saw you him to-day?
Right glad I am he was not at this fray.
BENVOLIO
Madam, an hour before the worshipp'd sun
Peer'd forth the golden window of the east,
A troubled mind drave me to walk abroad;
Where, underneath the grove of sycamore
That westward rooteth from the city's side,
So early walking did I see your son:
Towards him I made, but he was ware of me
And stole into the covert of the wood:
I, measuring his affections by my own,
That most are busied when they're most alone,
Pursued my humour not pursuing his,
And gladly shunn'd who gladly fled from me.
MONTAGUE
He, his own affections' counsellor,
Is to himself--I will not say how true--
But to himself so secret and so close,
So far from sounding and discovery,
As is the bud bit with an envious worm,
Ere he can spread his sweet leaves to the air,
Or dedicate his beauty to the sun.
Could we but learn from whence his sorrows grow?
We would as willingly give cure as know.
Enter ROMEO
BENVOLIO
See, where he comes: so please you, step aside;
I'll know his grievance, or be much denied.
Exeunt MONTAGUE and LADY MONTAGUE
BENVOLIO
Good-morrow, cousin.
ROMEO
Is the day so young?
BENVOLIO
But new struck nine.
ROMEO
Ay me! Sad hours seem long.
Was that my father that went hence so fast?
BENVOLIO
It was. What sadness lengthens Romeo's hours?
ROMEO
Not having that, which, having, makes them short.
BENVOLIO
In love?
ROMEO
Out—
BENVOLIO
Of love?
ROMEO
Out of her favour, where I am in love.
BENVOLIO
With whom?
ROMEO
Rosaline and she'll not be hit
With Cupid's arrow; she hath Dian's wit.
BENVOLIO
Then she hath sworn that she will still live chaste?
ROMEO
She hath, and in that sparing makes huge waste -
BENVOLIO
Alas, that love, so gentle in his view,
Should be so tyrannous and rough in proof!
ROMEO
Alas, that love, whose view is muffled still,
Should, without eyes, see pathways to his will!
Where shall we dine?
O me! What fray was here?
Yet tell me not, for I have heard it all.
Here's much to do with hate, but more with love.
Why, then, O brawling love! O loving hate!
O any thing, of nothing first create!
O heavy lightness! serious vanity!
Mis-shapen chaos of well-seeming forms!
Feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire,
sick health!
Still-waking sleep, that is not what it is!
This love feel I, that feel no love in this.
Dost thou not laugh?
BENVOLIO
No, coz, I rather weep.
ROMEO
Good heart, at what?
(Servant enters and hands Benvolio and invitation and exits)
BENVOLIO
At thy good heart's oppression.
Coz, I just obtained an invitation to a party
At this same ancient feast of Capulet's
Sups the fair Rosaline whom thou so lovest,
With all the admired beauties of Verona:
Go thither; and, with unattainted eye,
Compare her face with some that I shall show,
And I will make thee think thy swan a crow.
ROMEO
When the devout religion of mine eye
Maintains such falsehood, then turn tears to fires;
And these, who often drown'd could never die,
Transparent heretics, be burnt for liars!
One fairer than my love! the all-seeing sun
Ne'er saw her match since first the world begun.
BENVOLIO
Tut, you saw her fair, none else being by,
Herself poised with herself in either eye:
But in that crystal scales let there be weigh'd
Your lady's love against some other maid….
BENVOLIO begins singing “I Just Haven’t Met You Yet” by Michael Buble
BENVOLIO
I'm not surprised
Not everything lasts
You've broken your heart so many times
I stopped keeping track.
ROMEO
Talk myself in,
I talk myself out.
I get all worked up
Then I let myself down.
I tried so very hard not to lose it
BENVOLIO
You came up with a million excuses
ROMEO
I thought I thought of every possibility
BENVOLIO
And I know someday that it'll all turn out
She'll make you work so you can work to work it out
And I promise you kid that you'll give so much more than you get
You just haven't met Juliet
Mmmmm ....
BENVOLIO
You might have to wait
ROMEO
I'll never give up
BENVOLIO
I guess it's half timing
ROMEO
And the other half's luck
BENVOLIO
Wherever you are
ROMEO
Whenever it's right
BENVOLIO
She'll come out of nowhere and into your life
JULIET enters
ROMEO (to JULIET)
And I know that we can be so amazing
JULIET (to ROMEO)
And baby your love is gonna change me
ROMEO
And now I can see every possibility
Hmmmmm ......
ROMEO and JULIET holding hands and singing in unison
ROMEO and JULIET
And somehow I know that it'll all turn out
And you'll make me work so we can work to work it out
ROMEO
And I promise you kid I'll give so much more than I get
JULIET
You just haven't met me yet
ROMEO
They say all's fair
JULIET
In love and war
ROMEO
But I won't need to fight it
JULIET
We'll get it by it
ROMEO and JULIET
We'll be united
ROMEO and JULIET dance during the interlude
ROMEO
And I know that we can be so amazing
JULIET
And being in your life is gonna kill me
ROMEO
And now I can see every single possibility
Hmmm .....
JULIET exits
ROMEO
And someday I know it'll all turn out
BENVOLIO enters
And I'll work to work it out
BENVOLIO
Promise you kid
ROMEO
I'll give more than I get
Than I get, than I get, than I get!
MERCUTIO enters
BENVOLIO, ROMEO and MERCUTIO (Dancing like the Rockettes)
Oh you know it'll all turn out
And you'll make me work so we can work to work it out
And I promise you kid to give so much more than I get
Yeah I just haven't met Juliet
ROMEO at center stage
ROMEO
I just haven't met Juliet
Oh promise you kid
To give so much more than I get
MERCUTIO and BENVOLIO
I said love love love love love love love .....
ROMEO
I just haven't met Juliet.
MERCUTIO and BENVOLIO
I said love love love love love love love .....
ROMEO
I just haven't met Juliet!
BENVOLIO
So come with me, Romeo
That I will show you shining at this feast,
And she shall scant show well that now shows best.
ROMEO
I'll go along, no such sight to be shown,
But to rejoice in splendor of mine own.
Exeunt
Example Two: Then I defy you stars!
PROLOGUE
Two households, both alike in dignity,
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
Do 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, nought could remove,
Is now the two hours' traffic of our stage;
The which if you with patient ears attend,
What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.
Romeo enters with Mercutio and their entourage in masks
ROMEO
I dream'd a dream to-night.
MERCUTIO
And so did I.
ROMEO
Well, what was yours?
MERCUTIO
That dreamers often lie.
ROMEO
I fear, too early: for my mind misgives
Some consequence yet hanging in the stars
Shall bitterly begin his fearful date
With this night's revels and expire the term
Of a despised life closed in my breast
By some vile forfeit of untimely death.
But He, that hath the steerage of my course,
Direct my sail!
Bell tolls.
On, lusty gentlemen.
They all exit but Romeo. Juliet enters.
ROMEO
O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!
It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night
Like a rich jewel in an Ethiope's ear;
Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear!
So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows,
As yonder lady o'er her fellows shows.
The measure done, I'll watch her place of stand,
And, touching hers, make blessed my rude hand.
Did my heart love till now? forswear it, sight!
For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night.
ROMEO
[To JULIET] If I profane with my unworthiest hand
This holy shrine, the gentle fine is this:
My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand
To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss.
JULIET
Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much,
Which mannerly devotion shows in this;
For saints have hands that pilgrims' hands do touch,
And palm to palm is holy palmers' kiss.
ROMEO
Have not saints lips, and holy palmers too?
JULIET
Ay, pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer.
ROMEO
O, then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do;
They pray, grant thou, lest faith turn to despair.
JULIET
Saints do not move, though grant for prayers' sake.
ROMEO
Then move not, while my prayer's effect I take.
Thus from my lips, by yours, my sin is purged.
JULIET
Then have my lips the sin that they have took.
ROMEO
Sin from thy lips? O trespass sweetly urged!
Give me my sin again.
JULIET
You kiss by the book.
BENVOLIO enters, whispers in ROMEO'S ear, and exits.
ROMEO
Is she a Capulet?
O dear account! my life is my foe's debt.
NURSE enters, whispers in JULIET"S ear, and exits.
JULIET
My only love sprung from my only hate!
Too early seen unknown, and known too late!
Prodigious birth of love it is to me,
That I must love a loathed enemy.
JULIET
O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?
Deny thy father and refuse thy name;
Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,
And I'll no longer be a Capulet.
Tis but thy name that is my enemy;
Thou art thyself, though not a Montague.
What's Montague? it is nor hand, nor foot,
Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part
Belonging to a man. O, be some other name!
What's in a name? that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet;
So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call'd,
Retain that dear perfection which he owes
Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name,
And for that name which is no part of thee
Take all myself.
ROMEO
I take thee at thy word:
Call me but love, and I'll be new baptized;
Henceforth I never will be Romeo.
JULIET
What man art thou that thus bescreen'd in night
So stumblest on my counsel?
ROMEO
By a name
I know not how to tell thee who I am:
My name, dear saint, is hateful to myself,
Because it is an enemy to thee;
Had I it written, I would tear the word.
JULIET
My ears have not yet drunk a hundred words
Of that tongue's utterance, yet I know the sound:
Art thou not Romeo and a Montague?
ROMEO
Neither, fair saint, if either thee dislike.
JULIET
How camest thou hither, tell me, and wherefore?
The orchard walls are high and hard to climb,
And the place death, considering who thou art,
If any of my kinsmen find thee here.
ROMEO
With love's light wings did I o'er-perch these walls;
For stony limits cannot hold love out,
And what love can do that dares love attempt;
Therefore thy kinsmen are no let to me.
JULIET
If they do see thee, they will murder thee.
ROMEO
Alack, there lies more peril in thine eye
Than twenty of their swords: look thou but sweet,
And I am proof against their enmity.
JULIET
I would not for the world they saw thee here.
ROMEO
I have night's cloak to hide me from their sight;
And but thou love me, let them find me here:
My life were better ended by their hate,
Than death prorogued, wanting of thy love.
JULIET
By whose direction found'st thou out this place?
ROMEO
By love, who first did prompt me to inquire;
He lent me counsel and I lent him eyes.
I am no pilot; yet, wert thou as far
As that vast shore wash'd with the farthest sea,
I would adventure for such merchandise.
JULIET
But our families will never conset to our love. It is impossible.
ROMEO begins singing to JULIET Rewrite the Stars from The Greatest Showman.
ROMEO
You know I want you
It's not a secret I try to hide
I know you want me
So don't keep saying our hands are tied
You claim it's not in the cards
Fate is pulling you miles away
And out of reach from me
But you're here in my heart
So who can stop me if I decide
That you're my destiny?
What if we rewrite the stars?
Say you were made to be mine
Nothing could keep us apart
You'd be the one I was meant to find
It's up to you, and it's up to me
No one can say what we get to be
So why don't we rewrite the stars?
Maybe the world could be ours
Tonight
JULIET
You think it's easy
You think I don't want to run to you
But there are mountains
And there are doors that we can't walk through
I know you're wondering why
Because we're able to be
Just you and me
Within these walls
But when we go outside
You're going to wake up and see that it was hopeless after all
No one can rewrite the stars
How can you say you'll be mine?
Everything keeps us apart
And I'm not the one you were meant to find
It's not up to you
It's not up to me
When everyone tells us what we can be
How can we rewrite the stars?
Say that the world can be ours
Tonight
TOGETHER
All I want is to fly with you
All I want is to fall with you
So just give me all of you
JULIET
It feels impossible (it's not impossible)
ROMEO
Is it impossible?
TOGETHER
Say that it's possible
How do we rewrite the stars?
Say you were made to be mine?
Nothing can keep us apart
'Cause you are the one I was meant to find
It's up to you
And it's up to me
No one can say what we get to be
And why don't we rewrite the stars?
Changing the world to be ours
JULIET
You know I want you
It's not a secret I try to hide
But I can't have you
We're bound to break and my hands are tied
JULIET turns to go
ROMEO
O, wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied
JULIET
What satisfaction canst thou have to-night?
ROMEO
The exchange of thy love's faithful vow for mine.
JULIET
I gave thee mine before thou didst request it:
And yet I would it were to give again.
ROMEO
Wouldst thou withdraw it? for what purpose, love?
JULIET
But to be frank, and give it thee again.
And yet I wish but for the thing I have:
My bounty is as boundless as the sea,
My love as deep; the more I give to thee,
The more I have, for both are infinite.
RUBRIC
D or F performances- Anything less than the C performances below
- Complete script for Mr. Pellerin & each group member (no trips to copy machine)
- Script contains:
- Clear theme
- Interesting story development
- Pop music and Shakespearean text integrated
- Performance of scripts, in hand, is moderately smooth. Just periodic stops for technical difficulties
- Costumes
- Performance with all members occurs on the assigned date
- Script contains: Meaningfully theme – Nuanced and philosophical
- Complex plot development
- Songs are meaningful and well placed (though perhaps a bit long, and/or one “note” meanings)
- Well chosen moments from the text – a strong cross section of the play
- Performance is smooth. Though not memorized, the performers know the material inside and out. Choices about technology, blocking, costumes, and the like are thought out beforehand.
- Script contains: Themes and concepts are thought provoking. Shows us multiple sides to the issues presented
- Clear theme – Nuanced and philosophical – Goes beyond stereotypes to get at the heart of the matter
- Complex plot development and seamlessly thread together as if this were an original play and not a Frankenstein monster of moments
- Songs are meaningful, well placed and preformed with feeling
- Well chosen – a Strong cross section of the play – Tight!
- Script is nuanced. Every line is thoughtfully spliced and there is a definite beginning, middle and end to the performance.
- Performance is smooth and choreography is fun and meaningful. All props and cues are hit. One or two members attempted to memorize parts. Members tried to use note cards.
- Costumes and staging are thoughtfully planned ahead of time and a world is created
- We are all speechless
