Shakespeare Meets the NJ Symphony
- Editor
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
One of literature’s most enduring love stories, Romeo & Juliet has been brought to life this week through a collaboration between The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ) and the New Jersey Symphony (NJS). We were lucky enough to catch Saturday’s brilliant performance at the Count Basie Theatre. The sweeping music and passionate performances leave a lasting impression, carrying the emotion of the story long after the final note. We loved every minute of it. The production concludes today at NJPAC in Newark at 2:00 p.m.
In this presentation, Shakespeare’s text is performed alongside the orchestra’s score, bringing Verona to life on the minimally furnished stage. Of course, no performance of Romeo & Juliet would be complete without the iconic balcony, where Juliet delivers, “O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?”
Shakespeare Set to Music
Under the baton of Xian Zhang, the orchestra performed Tchaikovsky’s Fantasy-Overture alongside Prokofiev’s music for the story. Scenes performed live by the talented STNJ actors added theatrical context, creating a dynamic conversation between music and text that heightened the emotional impact of the story.
This marks the second collaboration between STNJ and NJS, and it’s one we hope to see repeated in the future.
Meet the Cast and Creatives Behind the Magic
Directed by Brian B. Crowe, the production stars Billie Wyatt as Juliet and Isaac Hickox-Young as Romeo, supported by Clark Carmichael (Mercutio), Hassiem Muhammad (Tybalt/Paris), and Earl Baker Jr. (Friar Laurence/Lord Montague). Design elements such as Daniel Ciba’s costumes, Jason Flamos’s lighting, and Rod Kinter’s fight choreography complemented the music and performances to create a vivid sense of place and tension.
Next Up in the New Jersey Symphony Season
Following Romeo & Juliet, the New Jersey Symphony’s 2025–26 season continues with a wide range of programming that spans classical repertoire, film concerts, ballet, and cultural celebrations:
Feb 7, 2026: Lunar New Year Celebration: Year of the Horse — A family-friendly concert celebrating music from East and West, featuring conductor Sunny Xia, pianist Haochen Zhang, community choruses, and a traditional lion dance performance.
Feb 26 – Mar 1, 2026: Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony A program featuring Time For Three, Wagner’s Prelude to Act I of Lohengrin, and Beethoven’s iconic Fifth Symphony, conducted by Markus Stenz.
Mar 7, 2026: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone™ in Concert The original film screened in high definition with John Williams’ score performed live by the orchestra.
Mar 12 – 15, 2026: Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra A classical program led by Ruth Reinhardt, featuring works by Bartók and Chopin.
Mar 20 – 21, 2026: Icons of American Ballet Presented by New Jersey Ballet, with works by George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, and Twyla Tharp, accompanied live by the New Jersey Symphony.
Mar 21 – 22, 2026: Sleeping Beauty — A full-length ballet set to Tchaikovsky’s score
Mar 27 – 29, 2026: Beethoven’s “Pastoral” Symphony A nature-inspired program conducted by Xian Zhang, paired with works by Mozart.
Apr 10 – 12, 2026: Xian Conducts Prokofiev & Strauss Featuring violinist Francesca Dego and Richard Strauss’s Ein Heldenleben.
Apr 16 – 19, 2026: Mozart’s Requiem A choral masterwork featuring vocal soloists and the Montclair State University Chorale.
Apr 23, 2026: Spring into Music Gala & Auction A fundraising evening benefiting the New Jersey Symphony.
Coming Soon at The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey
STNJ’s winter and spring calendar continues with the following performances and educational programs:
February 14, 2026: Sleeping Beauty A marionette production by Tanglewood Marionettes, presented for family audiences.
February 18, 25 | March 4 & 11: Shakespeare Virtual Book Club: The Wars of the Roses! A multi-week online discussion series exploring Shakespeare’s history plays.
February 23, 2026: The Devil’s Disciple George Bernard Shaw’s political drama examining morality and revolution.
March 7 & April 25: Short Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night’s Dream A condensed, accessible introduction to Shakespeare’s comedy.
March 7 & April 25: Short Shakespeare: Macbeth A streamlined version of Shakespeare’s tragedy, designed for new audiences.
March 18 & 25: Shakespeare “Out Loud”: Henry VI, Part 3 A staged reading focused on Shakespeare’s language and storytelling.
What Makes These Events Special
Together, the New Jersey Symphony and The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey continue to demonstrate the enduring relevance and importance of classical music and literature. Through performances that range from large-scale collaborations to intimate theatrical experiences, both institutions contribute to a season of storytelling and artistic excellence.
Parting is such sweet sorrow.
Until next time, peace.
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