Independent Arts News Reporting Arden Theatre Company Presents Romeo and Juliet: A Bold New Take on Shakespeare’s Classic, Beginning March 5
Reported on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.
Pictured Above: Benjamin Bass. Photo credit: Contributed.
NEWSROOM POST: PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA
Running March 5 through April 5 on the F. Otto Haas Stage, the reimagining of Shakespeare’s most celebrated tragedy breathes new life into a story that confronts cycles of violence, power, and lost innocence, blending contemporary perspectives with classic Shakespearean elements.
Philadelphia, PA – Philadelphia-based Arden Theatre Company (40 N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106) continues its 2025/26 season with William Shakespeare’s enduring classic, Romeo and Juliet. Directed by Barrymore Award–winning director Amina Robinson, the production offers a bold and resonant vision of Shakespeare’s iconic work. Running March 5 through April 5 on the F. Otto Haas Stage, the reimagining of Shakespeare’s most celebrated tragedy breathes new life into a story that confronts cycles of violence, power, and lost innocence, blending contemporary perspectives with classic Shakespearean elements.
In Romeo and Juliet, a story audiences know well, two young lovers fall in love hard and fast, only to be torn apart by families bound to an ancient feud. However, Robinson’s production strips the play to its emotional core, highlighting both the breathtaking beauty and devastating cost of love born in a divided world. Romeo and Juliet serves as a powerful reminder of the risks we take for love and the consequences of a society unwilling to change. Through a seamless blend of classical and contemporary design and text, the production creates a world that feels timeless.
“It became clear that I had to do this play now because Shakespeare’s allegorical classic begs us to answer the questions, ‘Why?’ and ‘When will it end?’” said Robinson. “We are at war with one another and don’t even remember when it began. This production seeks to highlight the idea that we are more ‘alike in dignity’ than not and to question who is really pulling the strings to keep us fighting one another for generations.”
Under the direction of Robinson, an actor, director, and professor at Temple University, the production brings her bold, incisive vision of Romeo and Juliet to life. Robinson has directed several acclaimed productions at the Arden, including Once on This Island and Intimate Apparel, earning Barrymore Awards for Outstanding Direction for both.
The dynamic cast blends new and familiar faces for Arden audiences, bringing together artists with deep Shakespearean experience and fresh perspectives to create a vibrant ensemble.
Benjamin Bass (Prince/Friar John/Ensemble) is a Philadelphia-based artist making his Arden debut. Bass’s theatre credits include Off-Broadway performances at New World Stages and 59E59, as well as national tours. Regionally, Bass has worked with Pig Iron Theatre Company and Shakespeare in Clark Park. His television credits include We Own This City (HBO).
Brian Cowden (Paris) is a Philadelphia-based actor returning to the Arden following appearances at the theatre in Clyde’s (Jason), Funnyman (Nathan Wise), and The History Boys (Rudge). Regionally, Cowden has appeared in productions at Interact Theatre Company, Walnut Street Theatre, People’s Light, and Azuka Theatre.
Jared Delaney (Capulet) returns to the Arden after appearing at the theatre in The BFG (Bonecruncher) and All My Sons (Jim Bayliss). Regionally, Delaney has appeared in productions at Folger Theatre, Philadelphia Theatre Company, Fulton Theatre, and New Jersey Repertory Company. He has also appeared on television in Mare of Easttown (HBO), Dispatches from Elsewhere (AMC), and Dope Thief (Apple TV).
Charlie DelMarcelle (Friar Lawrence) is a Philadelphia-based actor, well known to Arden audiences for his roles in The Lehman Trilogy (Emanuel Lehman), August: Osage County (Little Charles), Charlotte’s Web (John Arable, Gander, Ensemble), The Jungle Book (Baloo, Monkey, Father Wolf), and Funnyman (Matthew Baroni). His regional work includes productions with Act II Playhouse, Azuka Theatre, EgoPo Classic Theatre, Inis Nua Theatre, Lantern Theater Company, Theatre Horizon, and Walnut Street Theatre.
Tyler S. Elliott (Mercutio) makes his Arden debut. Regionally, Elliott has appeared in productions at Inis Nua Theatre Company, Quintessence Theatre, Delaware Shakespeare, Lantern Theater Company, and 1812 Productions.
Frank Jimenez (Tybalt) returns to the Arden, where he previously appeared in The Glass Menagerie (Jim O’Connor) and served as an understudy in Red Riding Hood. His regional work includes productions with InterAct Theatre Company, Azuka Theatre, Philadelphia Arts Collective, Delaware Shakespeare, and 1812 Productions.
Dave Johnson (Montague/Apothecary) returns to the Arden following his roles in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Douglas Panch), Sideways Stories from the Wayside School (Louis), and The Cat in the Hat (Thing 2). Regionally, Johnson has appeared in productions at Delaware Theatre Company, Walnut Street Theatre, Lantern Theater Company, and InterAct Theatre Company.
Travoye Joyner (Benvolio) returns to the Arden following his previous role in 74 Seconds… to Judgment (Brandon). Jonyner’s regional credits include performances at InterAct Theatre Company, Lantern Theater Company, and Quintessence Theatre.
Maggie Lakis (Nurse) returns to the Arden following previous roles in Sunday in the Park with George, Clybourne Park (Betsy/Lindsay), Pinnochio (Judy) and much more. Regional credits include appearances at Pig Iron Theatre Company, Delaware Theatre Company, Walnut Street Theatre, and much more. Other credits include Miranda Hillard in the National Tour of Mrs. Doubtfire, Bea in Something Rotten (First National Tour), Avenue Q (First National Tour and Off-Broadway at New World Stages), and more.
Gabe Moses (Romeo) returns to the Arden, where he previously appeared in RENT (Mr. Jefferson, Paul, Mr. Gray, Pastor), understudied The Lehman Trilogy (Mayer Lehman), and performed in the 2020 virtual production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Robin Starveling, Moonshine). Regionally, Moses has appeared in productions at People’s Light, Inis Nua Theatre, Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, Delaware Theatre Company, and Tiny Dynamite. Moses is a proud Company Member at People’s Light.
Patricia Noonan (Lady Capulet) returns to the Arden, where she previously appeared in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Rona Lisa Peretti). Noonan’s Broadway, off-Broadway, and regional credits include Lincoln Center, Roundabout Theatre Company, City Center, Walnut Street Theatre, and the Guthrie Theater.
Francesca Santodomingo (Juliet) makes her Arden debut. Her off-Broadway and regional credits include Singer/Songwriter in Lady Power Project (Dixon Place); Singer/Songwriter in Rebel Verses (Vineyard Theatre), Maria in Twelfth Night (Shakespeare Dallas). And she has extensive experience with new work development including at Pregones/PRTT, Teatro LATEA, iD Studio Theatre, Theatre 86, Five Angels Theatre, TADA Youth Theatre.
Jameka Monet Wilson (Ensemble) is making her Arden debut. She has previously understudied in the 2025 production of The Hobbit. Regionally, Wilson has appeared in productions at Hedgerow Theatre, Delaware Shakespeare, Pig Iron Theatre Company, EgoPo Classic Theatre, and Shakespeare productions throughout the region.
The production team includes Amina Robinson (Director), Mariah Ghant (Assistant Director), David P. Gordon (Scenic Designer), Jillian Keys (Costume Designer), Damien Figueras (Sound Designer), Thom Weaver (Lighting Designer), Lyndsey Connolly (Stage Manager), and Alexis Wells (Assistant Stage Manager).
Romeo and Juliet begins previews on March 5, 2026, and runs through April 5, 2026, on the F. Otto Haas Stage. Single ticket prices vary by performance. Tickets are available at ardentheatre.org, by phone at 215.922.1122, or at the box office at Arden Theatre Company (40 N. 2nd Street).
Special performances and events for Romeo and Juliet include:
Smart Caption Glasses | Beginning Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Wearable, customizable closed-captioning glasses are available to reserve for performances. Click here to learn more.
Open Captioned & Audio Described Performances I Friday, March 27, at 7:00 p.m.; Saturday, March 28, at 2:00 p.m.
Live on-stage captions and audio description will be provided.
Teen Night | Saturday, March 28, at 7 p.m.
$15 tickets and a post-show talkback for teens ages 13–18.
Young Friends Night | Thursday, March 26, at 7 p.m.
Pre-show networking and a post-show talkback for professionals 40 and under. Use code: YFARDEN
Student Matinees I Thursday, March 12, at 10:30 a.m.; Tuesday, March 17, at 10:30 a.m.; Friday, March 20, at 10:30 a.m.; Tuesday, March 24, at 10:30 a.m.; Tuesday, March 31, at 10:30 a.m. Interested school groups can submit a Group Inquiry through the Arden website.
Post-Show Talkbacks | Sunday, March 22 at 2 p.m. & Thursday, April 2, at 7:00 p.m. Join a member of Arden’s artist team for a post-show discussion.
Accessibility
The Arden is fully accessible and proudly named a Keystone of Accessibility by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Accessibility resources include assistive listening devices, sensory processing tools, smart caption glasses, large-print programs, and more. Learn more at ardentheatre.org.
About Arden Theatre Company
Arden Theatre Company, founded in 1988, is a professional theatre company in Old City, dedicated to bringing to life great stories by great storytellers on the stage, in the classroom, and in the community. To date, the Arden has produced 46 World Premieres. The Arden has developed four distinct educational programs: Arden for All, our in-school arts education program for elementary level students; Arden Drama School, our on-site, tuition-based theatre classes for pre-K through 12th-grade students; Teen Arden, our theatre enrichment program for high school students; and the Arden Professional Apprentice program, a rigorous training program for young theatre professionals.
