Romeo and Juliet A RockOpera, premiering in Boise on January 7, 2023, brings a new and interesting style to Shakespeare’s classic story of love and fate. The musical by French composer Gérard Presgurvic brings a modern style to this classic story, weaving rock music into the timeless narrative. Romeo and Juliet A RockOpera has been performed in over 25 countries and in more than 16 languages; and garnered numerous awards including Best Musical Award (Japan, 2011; Austria, 2005), Best Big Show Oscar (Italy, 2015); and Critics Award in Seoul (Russia and Taiwan, 2007). The song Les Rois du Monde, was #1 on the French radio charts for 32 weeks.
For the Boise premiere, there are new lyrics and an adaptation for the American audience by Hélène Dallaire Magadini. The performance itself is directed by Hélène Dallaire Magadini, a seasoned actress and director who is now a Boise resident. On January 7, 2023, this will not only be the Boise Premiere, but also the United States Premiere of this musical RockOpera. The performances will be held at a unique venue, the Lounge at the End of the Universe. Founded by local comedian Jen Adams, the Lounge at the End of the Universe presents stand-up comics, musical performances from a wide variety of genres; and art and crafts bazaars.
Romeo and Juliet has been redone in many ways over the years. The most famous of course is the musical, West Side Story. Composer Gérard Presgurvic answered the question, ‘Why Romeo and Juliet now, centuries after Shakespeare wrote it’, by saying,
“Because dying of love at 15 is both the most ‘beautiful’ and the most terrible fate.
Because that absolute and irrevocable act of choosing to die rather than living separately will always remain the strangest mystery and the clearest proof of love.
Because life without love is empty”
ԅ Gérard Presgurvic ԅ
The classic Shakespeare play Romeo and Juliet has made a big impression on Hélène Dallaire Magadini. As she told The Boise Beat, “There always were, there always will be hotheads, clans, dreamers, idealists who would die for love. Adolescents for whom their friends are the most precious people in the world. Parents sorry that they did not understand their children when they needed them. And the consequences of our shortcomings are as painful and tragic today as they were when Romeo and Juliet was written”.
This story, of course, has been written in different forms many times, but Hélène was attracted to the weaving of music into the story. She found the musical in an interesting way, saying that “I don’t have much merit: though this musical is still unknown here, it has played all around the world to record audiences. I could never forget where I was when I heard to Love (Aimer) (one of the songs of the show) for the first time, on the radio, in Montreal, where I am from. It was a shock of beauty”.
Hélène has had a lifelong history with drama and Shakespeare. Growing up in Victoriaville, Quebec, Canada, she graduated from the Conservatoire d’Art Dramatique de Montréal. After touring with the award-winning theatre company Le Carrousel and becoming the artistic director of underground theatrical sensation La Maison Hantée, Hélène went back to school. She later was awarded a Bachelor’s Degree in Music (voice) at the Faculté de Musique de l’Université de Montréal. Eventually she wound up in the San Francisco-Bay Area, where she directed musicals. She worked there exclusively with teenagers and children, bringing masterpieces such as Notre Dame de Paris and Romeo and Juliet to these young performers’ lives.
After being exposed to Romeo and Juliet the RockOpera, Hélène was surprised to learn that even though it had played around the world, it had never reached the United States. The original work, RockOpera Roméo et Juliette, de la haine à l’amour, by Gérard Presgurvic, was written in French. She reached out to the composer and he suggested to her that she translate the book as well as writing the American lyrics. When asked why she chose this particular musical, Hélène said, “Because it is so good! The music is so beautiful. Because it is so human. This musical is as satisfying for the young man dreaming of unconditional love as it is for a parent struggling to understand his-her daughter”.
After completing the project, she relocated to Boise with her husband and son. Hélène then decided that her new hometown would be an ideal place for the American premiere of this musical. Asked about how Romeo and Juliet the RockOpera wound up in Boise, Hélène said, “It came with me when I moved to Boise at Christmas 2021. Having written the authorized American translation, through the years I built a relationship with the composer of R&J. So when I moved here, I was able to convince him that Boise had the talent and audience to support a first American production. And while theater has a hard time getting back on its feet since COVID in most of the USA, Boise has remained ‘open’, with a hunger for entertainment. That felt to us as a great opportunity”.
This production is intended for all ages. She stated, “Although this is definitely a show for adults, it is appropriate for all ages 7 and older. No vulgarity, no nudity”. In addition, Hélène thinks that young people would really enjoy it. “Great music, drums, electric guitar. The friendship of 3 ‘bros’ who go through life’s joys and adversity. Love, love, love, hardship, and all the emotions that rock us when we begin our adult lives”, she added.
The choice of the Lounge at the End of the Universe for the venue for Romeo and Juliet the RockOpera was an easy one. Hélène said, “The songs are so good and so important in that show, that I started to dream of playing in a music venue, rather than a theater. I also wanted to have the action to happen all around you, rather than on a stage, where it’s in front of you. I wanted a place where people go hear music, comedy, while having a beer or a drink. And, above all, The Lounge welcomed us”.
The cast for Romeo and Juliet the RockOpera includes Cami Nichols as Juliet, Max Elam as Romeo, Trevor Ferguson as Mercutio, Andrew Lyman as Benvolio, Evencio Bahena as Tybalt, Kerith Telestai as The Nurse and Friar John, Shelby DeBoard-Ulrich as Lady Montague, Toni Hagen as Lord Capulet, Seneca Witt as Lady Capulet, Layne Taylor as Friar Lawrence, Jen Potcher as The Overlord. Tashia Yeats is Producer, along with running the lights and sound. Kerith Telestai did the choreographies and Shelby DeBoard-Ulrich is musical coordinator.
Most people, young and old, are familiar with the basic story of Romeo and Juliet. However, nowhere near as many have attempted to read Shakespeare’s original play in archaic Olde English. With Gérard Presgurvic’s original book and production, plus Hélène’s translation of Romeo and Juliet A RockOpera, this production brings a new take to America, accessible to young and old. It is a marvelous event for a date night, family outing or just to see something new and exciting. Romeo and Juliet A RockOpera will be premiering in Boise, so now is a wonderful chance to see a blend of old and new brought to the stage not on Broadway or in San Francisco, but in Boise. You’ll be glad you’ve seen this production first!
Info and tickets are available through the Lounge at the End of the Universe, TicketStripe or the Romeo and Juliet A RockOpera website.
Romeo and Juliet A RockOpera
Directed and Produced by Hélène Dallaire Magadini
Produced by Tashia Yeats
January 7, 21,28 (evening 7pm)
January 14 (evening 9pm)
January 8, 22 (matinee 3pm)
Lounge at the End of the Universe
2417 Bank Drive
Boise, ID 83705
Phone: (208) 991-2296
Photos from the Italian production of Romeo and Juliet A RockOpera courtesy of Hélène Dallaire Magadini
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