Toronto – Romeo/Juliet Remixed is receiving rave reviews, critics and audiences alike agree:

*****"I guarantee you’ll be blown away."– Richard Ouzounian, Toronto Star

"The best party in town...probably the liveliest – and certainly sweatiest – production of Romeo and Juliet ever." – Susanne Hiller, National Post

The hit of last year’s Fringe Festival, Romeo/Juliet REMIXED is a modernized retelling of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy set on the dance floor of "Club Verona". The Great Hall, located just west of Toronto’s hip Queen West district (1087 Queen Street West - near Ossington Ave.), has been transformed into "Club Verona" - a world of glitter, glow sticks, throbbing house music and a laser light show. All of these elements combine to provide the perfect venue for the audience to dance to the rhythms of the DJ’s techno music. At the party, communication happens in the modern sense - through spoken word, text messaging, video clips and hip-hop dance.

Wednesday & Thursday performances – 8:00pm – $22.75
Friday & Saturday performances - Early show 7:30pm/Late show 10:00pm – $31.75

Students with ID - $15 (available at door only)
2 for 1 tickets available day of show at T.O. Tix

To purchase tickets call TicketMaster at (416) 870-8000 or buy tickets in person at the door on the night of the performance. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Group ticket discounts for Wednesday or Thursday performances are available for 10 or more by calling (416) 597-0965 or toll free at 1-866-821-6422.

TORONTO: After receiving critical acclaim at last summer’s Toronto Fringe Festival and playing to sold out crowds, rave culture once again meets Shakespeare in Romeo/Juliet Remixed, opening Friday, February 7th. The most innovative environment production ever to hit Toronto plays for only 22 performances until March 1st, on the main stage at Toronto’s Great Hall Centre, 1087 Queen Street West (near Ossington Ave.). Preview performances are February 7 and 8 with opening night on February 12.

Shakespeare’s tragedy of the star-crossed lovers, Romeo & Juliet, is set in the heat of the action on the dance floor of Club Verona. The Great Hall, located just west of Toronto’s hip Queen West district, will be transformed into Club Verona complete with a "chill out" room, where there will be performances, themed décor, DJ, dance floor and laser light show – all combining to provide the perfect venue for the audience to dance to the rhythms of the house DJ’s techno music. The audience, which plays an integral role in the show, will be divided into two groups: the Montagues and the Capulets. At the party, communication happens in the modern sense, through spoken word, text messaging, video clips and hip-hop dance.

Written and directed by Laura Mullin and Chris Tolley, a creative team since 1996 and the founders of eXpect theatre. eXpect theatre has performed for more than 300,000 students in eastern Canada and the north eastern United States. Nicola Pantin choreographs Romeo and Juliet Remixed and Dub Poet True Daley, plays the DJ.

Joel Gordon (Romeo) and Sara Moyle (Juliet) return to re-create these roles after critically acclaimed performances at the 2002 Toronto Fringe Festival. Joel Gordon has appeared in over 40 principal/lead roles in film and television including Maya Angelou’s, Down In The Delta, Robert Townsend’s, The Natalie Cole Story, and This is My Father with James Caan. His recent theatre credits include the world premiere of George F. Walker’s Heaven at CanStage. Sara Moyle’s television and radio credits include Jack’s House (TMN), several episodes of Modern Manners (WTN), and a former host on The LAW
(FAN 590 AM).

Romeo and Juliet Remixed, which has evolved over three years, began when Chris and Laura traveled to New York City to experience a wide variety of innovative environmental productions. Exposure to productions that were re-shaping the theatre experience was pivotal in their decision to form Spark Productions. Their aim is to produce unconventional shows, that uniquely combine various art forms, new media and audience participation. The production budget for this show has been secured privately by Laura, Chris with no government funding.

"We want to transform theatre from a passive event to a happening – a totally engrossing experience. We want to attempt to bring the off Broadway world to Toronto" says Chris Tolley, co-writer and co-director.

BOX OFFICE INFORMATION
Tickets go on sale January 23 and are priced as follows:

Wednesdays & Thursdays 8:00 pm
Fridays & Saturdays
EARLY SHOW 7:30 pm Chill Out 6:45 pm
LATE SHOW 10:30 pm Chill Out 10:00 pm

Preview Performances
February 7 & 8 only $10.75

Performances February 12 – March 1
$22.25 Wednesday performances
$31.75 Thursday – Saturday

To purchase tickets call TicketMaster at (416) 870-8000 or buy tickets in person at the door on the night of the performance. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Group ticket discounts for Wednesday performances are available for 10 or more by calling (416) 597-0965 or toll free at 1-866-821-6422.

What the Critics Said

(4 stars) "Romeo/Juliet Remixed is event theatre, a happening that swamps you with noise, sweat and high spirits…"it’s totally hip…the first hit of this year’s Fringe."
Robert Crew, The Toronto Star

"…certainly the hottest version of the well-known tragic love story."
Rebecca Caldwell, Globe and Mail

"…high-energy beat and explosive choreography."
Jon Kaplan, NOW Magazine

"With good choreography and design with beautiful bodies everywhere…(it) excels at spectacle."
Kieran Grant, The Toronto Sun

"A perfect blend of social commentary and powerful drama."
Chris Atchison, Metro Today