Juliet
Passionate, beautiful, and oh yeah, only 14, Juliet is ready to take on the world until fate throws Romeo her way.
Likes: Romeo. Romeo. Romeo.
Dislikes: Paris (the man, not the city. She may like the city immensely for all we know).
Romeo
A bit of a serial philanderer, Romeo’s life makes a 180 when he spies beautiful Juliet, the daughter of his family’s greatest enemies.
Likes: Women, generally. Juliet, specifically.
Dislikes: Feuds, duels, gangs.
Lord and Lady Capulet
Juliet’s parents: they love her but they also really want her to just marry Paris so they can all go back to their regularly scheduled feuding.
Likes: Traditional Veronese décor.
Dislikes: The Montagues and rebellious children.
Paris
Juliet’s intended betrothed: well-connected, handsome, and rich, he can’t quite figure out why she seems so reluctant to sign on the dotted line.
Likes: A good meal and a well-appointed ball.
Dislikes: Being told no.
Tybalt
Juliet’s cousin, Tybalt is a bit of a hothead, but well-loved by the whole Capulet family.
Likes: Getting into trouble.
Dislikes: Party crashers
Mercutio
As Romeo’s best bud, he gets dragged into all this Capulet/Montague drama in spite of himself.
Likes: A nice beer on the square with friends.
Dislikes: Being stabbed.
The Nurse
Juliet’s nurse loves her dearly, but really seems unclear on the concept of “in loco parentis,” let alone teenage brain development.
Likes: Going with the flow. Romance.
Dislikes: Asking tough questions of her teenage charge.
Friar Laurence
This man has seen one too many Montague/Capulet funerals, and as a result doesn’t report Romeo and Juliet to their respective parents when they show up asking to be wed.
Likes: Dark-colored clothing. The people of Verona. The Vatican.
Dislikes: Family feuds.
Tomasson’s Romeo & Juliet returns to the War Memorial Opera House May 1–10.
Header image: Mathilde Froustey in Tomasson’s Romeo & Juliet // © Erik Tomasson
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