List of Shakespeare Productions

I'm an opportunist. I don't care about the play's title or who is in it; if I have an affordable opportunity to see Shakespeare, I do so. If we're on vacation and discover some Shakespeare at the destination or en route, we order tickets.

With that in mind, this list is revealing in two ways. One, it represents through my experience what titles tend to be most often produced over the past 30 years.

Two, it proves to be a treasure of Hollywood who's who, most of whom were “who?” back when. Certainly, some actors were already headlining stars when I saw them in London (Vanessa Redgrave, Timothy Dalton) or in the United States (Lynn Redgrave, Al Pacino). Many more were my favorite stage actors in England but largely unrecognized outside the theaters. Long before they became internationally known as Lord Voldemort, Snape, Captain Picard, Ghandi, Dr. Octopus, Kenneth Branagh, and Judi Dench, they first impressed me as Romeo, Jaques, Enobarbus, Ford, Hastings, Petruchio, Navarre, and Judi Dench.

Keys to this list: Sarah and I have kept most of our tickets, so most productions going back to 1990 are listed with specific dates (some theaters don't date their tickets). The listed productions from the 1980s don't always have specific dates because I could rely only on playbills and programs (my parents kept some of the tickets of plays they attended with me). As for the 1970s, the only programs I have are those plays I attended with my parents in England; the rest are memories.

For the casts, I list only the principals, but include lesser roles when their portrayals were particularly memorable.

Eric Minton

Click on the play title to see the productions. Productions since 2009 are further described in the On Stage section of this website.

All's Well That End's Well

Antony and Cleopatra

Arden of Faversham

As You Like It

Cardenio (aka Double Falsehood)

The Comedy of Errors

Coriolanus

Cymbeline

Edward III

Hamlet

Henry IV, Part 1

Henry IV, Part 2

[The Most Lamentable Comedy of Sir John Falstaff]

[The Mistorical Hystery of Henry (I)V]

Henry V

Henry VI, Part 1

Henry VI, Part 2

Henry VI, Part 3

Henry VI [conflation]

Henry VIII

Julius Caesar

King John

King Lear

Love's Labour's Lost

Macbeth

Measure for Measure

The Merchant of Venice

The Merry Wives of Windsor

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Much Ado about Nothing

Othello

Pericles

Richard II

Richard III

Romeo and Juliet

1. London Coliseum, London, England
   1978–1979. Choreographed by Rudolph Nuryev: Rudolph Nuryev (Romeo).
2. University of Missouri, Columbia, Mo.
   1979.
3. The Royal Ballet, Royal Opera House, London, England
   August 3, 1985. Choreographed by Kenneth MacMillan, Conducted by Ashley Lawrence: Lesley Collier (Juliet), Anthony Dowell (Romeo), Stephen Jefferies (Mercutio), David Drew (Tybalt), Ashley Page (Benvolio), Gerd Larsen (Nurse).
4. Ludlow Festival, Ludlow Castle, Ludlow, England
   1986. Directed by Chris Hayes: Richard Garnett (Romeo), Abigail Cruttenden (Juliet), Michael Cassidy (Mercutio), Philip Walsh (Benvolio), Andy Taylor (Tybalt), Maria Charles (Nurse), Lewis Jones (Capulet).
5. New Shakespeare Company, Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, London, England
   1986. Directed by Declan Donnellan: Sarah Woodward (Juliet), Ralph Fiennes (Romeo), Nicholas Wolff (Mercutio), Andrew Collins (Benvolio), David O'Hara (Tybalt), Dilys Hamlett (Nurse), Peter Whitbread (Capulet).
6. Royal Shakespeare Company, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, England
   August 9, 1986. Directed by Michael Bogdanov: Sean Bean (Romeo), Niamh Cusack (Juliet), Hugh Quarshie (Tybalt), Michael Kitchen (Mercutio), Martin Jacobs (Benvolio), Dilys Laye (Nurse), Anna Nigh (Lady Capulet).
7. Atlanta Shakespeare Company, Shakespeare Tavern, Atlanta, Ga.
   February 2000. Directed by Jeffrey Watkins: Peter Hauenstein (Romeo), Jennifer Akin (Juliet), Daniel Pettrow (Mercutio), Dikran Tulaine (Friar Lawrence), Drew Reeves (Tybalt), Maurice Ralston (Capulet), Trent Merchant (Benvolio).
8. Stratford Festival of Canada, Festival Theatre, Stratford, Ontario
   July 6, 2002. Directed by Miles Potter: Graham Abbey (Romeo), Claire Jullien (Juliet), Wayne Best (Mercutio), Lally Cadeau (Nurse), Nicolas Van Burek (Tybalt), Scott Wentworth (Capulet), Caleb Marshall (Benvolio).
9. Folger Theatre, Washington, D.C.
   January 18, 2005. Directed by PJ Paparelli: Graham Hamilton (Romeo), Nicole Lowrance (Juliet), Michael Urie (Mercutio), Nancy Robinette (Nurse), Gene Gillette (Tybalt), Andrew Long (Capulet), Matthew Schneck (Benvolio).
10. American Shakespeare Center, Blackfriars Playhouse, Staunton, Va.
    April 25, 2010. Directed by Jim Warren: Josh Carpenter (Romeo), Brandi Rhome (Juliet), Curt Foy (Mercutio), Ginna Hoben (Nurse), David Zimmerman (Tybalt), Rick Blunt (Capulet).
11. Royal Shakespeare Company, Park Avenue Armory, New York, N.Y.
    August 5, 2011. Directed by Rupert Goold: Mariah Gale (Juliet), Dyfan Dwyfor (Romeo), Richard Katz (Capulet), Forbes Masson (Friar Laurence), Jonjo O'Neill (Mercutio), Noma Dumezweni (Nurse), Joseph Arkley (Tybalt).
12. Synetic Theater, Arlington, Va.
    December 14, 2011. Directed by Paata Tsikurishvili, choreographed by Irina Tsikurishvili (Nurse): Natalie Berk (Juliet), Alex Mills (Romeo), Irakli Kavsadze (Friar Laurence), Philip Fletcher (Mercutio), Ryan Sellers (Tybalt).
13. A Commedia Romeo and Juliet, Faction of Fools, Mead Theatre Lab at Flashpoint, Washington, D.C.
    January 12, 2012. Directed by Matthew R. Wilson: Gwen Grastorf (Juliet, et al), Drew Kopas (Romeo, et al), Toby Mulford (Nurse, Paris, et al), Paul Reisman (Mercutio, Capulet, et al), Eva Wilhelm (Tybalt, Friar Laurence, et al).
14. Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Ashland, Ore.
    August 14, 2012. Directed by Laird Williamson: Daniel José Molina (Romeo), Alejandra Escalante (Juliet), Jason Royas (Mercutio), Isabell Monk O'Connor (Nurse), Elijah Alexander (Don Capulet), Kevin Fugaro (Benvolio)
15. Shakespeare's R&J, Signature Theatre, Arlington, Va.
    February 26, 2013. Directed by Joe Calarco: Alex Mills (Student 1: Romeo), Jefferson Farber (Student 2: Juliet), Joel David Santner (Student 3: Mercutio, Friar Laurence, Lady Capulet), Rex Daugherty (Student 4: Tybalt, Nurse).
16. National Players, Montgomery College-Rockville Theatre Arts Arena, Rockville, Md.
    April 4, 2013. Directed by Jason King Jones: Britian Seibert (Juliet), Ian Kramer (Romeo), Sydney Lemmon (Benvolio, Lady Capulet), Zach Bryant (Capulet), Katie Lock (Nurse, Lady Montague), Matthew Lytle (Mercutio, Prince), Justin Keith Weaks (Tybalt, Paris).
17. Baltimore Shakespeare Factory, Great Hall Theatre, St. Mary's Community Center, Baltimore, Md.
    April 14, 2013. Directed by Tom Delise: Brendan Edward Kennedy (Romeo), Kathryn Zoerb (Juliet), Barbara Madison Hauck (Mercutio, Lady Montague), Terry O'Hara (Tybalt, Apoothecary), Frank Mancino (Capulet), Tegan Williams (Prince, Peter).
18. Brave Spirits, Atlas Performing Arts Center Lab Theatre II, Washington, D.C.
    June 13, 2013. Directed by Victoria Reinsel: Brandon Michael Cater (Romeo), Charlene V. Smith (Juliet, Chorus), Jessica Aimone (Nurse, Prince), Danny Cackley (Mercutio), Luke Cieslewicz (Tybalt, Friar Laurence), Connor J. Hogan (Benvolio).
19. Juliet & Romeo, {Your Name Here} A Queer Theater Company, The Tank, New York, N.Y.
    June 16, 2013. Directed by Mark Duncan: Leanne Mercadante (Juliet), Victoria Tucci (Romeo), Ron Nummi (Capulet), Martha Wollner (Nurse), John Edgar Moser (Mercutio), Emily Tuckman (Lady Capulet), Sam Kinsman (Tybalt).
20. American Shakespeare Center, Blackfriars Playhouse, Staunton, Va.
    June 29, 2013. Directed by Jim Warren: Dylan Paul (Romeo), Tracie Thomason (Juliet), Gregory Jon Phelps (Mercutio), Benjamin Curns (Nurse), John Harrell (Tybalt), René Thornton Jr. (Capulet), Allison Glenzer (Friar Laurence), Chris Johnston (Benvolio).
21. Folger Theatre, Washington, D.C.
    October 20, 2013. Directed by Aaron Posner: Erin Weaver (Juliet), Michael Goldsmith (Romeo), Brad Koed (Mercutio), Sherri L. Edelen (Nurse), Rex Daugherty (Tybalt), Brian Dykstra (Capulet), Eric Hissom (Friar Laurence, Prince, Apothecary).
22. Richard Rodgers Theatre, New York, N.Y.
    November 2, 2013. Directed by David Leveaux: Orlando Bloom (Romeo), Condola Rashad (Juliet), Justin Guarini (Paris), Chuck Cooper (Capulet), Jayne Houdyshell (Nurse), Christian Camargo (Mercutio), Corey Hawkins (Tybalt).
23. Unexpected Stage Company, Randolph Road Theater, Wheaton, Md.
    July 19, 2015. Directed by Christopher Goodrich: Elliott Bales (Romeo), Claire Schoonover (Juliet), Justus Hammpond (Mercutio, Prince), Kim Curtis (Tybalt, Apothecary), Josh Adams (Capulet), Ted Schneider (Friar Lawrecne, Gregory), Karen Fleming (Benvolio).
24. Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, Patapsco Female Institute Historic Park, Ellicott City, Md.
    June 20, 2016. Directed by Scott Alan Small and Katie Keddell: Séamus Miller (Romeo), Elana Michelle (Juliet), Vince Eisenson (Mercutio), Kathryne Daniels (Nurse), Kelsey Painter (Tybalt), Matthew Anarrow (Benvolio), Kathryn Elizabeth Kelly (Lady Capulet).
25. Kentucky Shakespeare Festival, Central Park, Louisville, Ky.
    July 9, 2016. Directed by Matt Wallace: Crystian Wiltshire (Romeo), Megan Massie (Juliet), Jon Patrick O'Brien (Escalus, Chorus), Marci Duncan (Nurse), Byron Coolie  (Mercutio), Neill Robertson (Tybalt), Abigail Bailey Maupin (Lady Capulet).
26. American Ballet Theatre, Filene Center, Wolf Trap, Vienna, Va.
    July 14 & 15, 2016. Choreographed by Kenneth MacMillan: Hee Seo, Misty Copeland (Juliet), Cory Stearns, Joseph Gorak (Romeo), Craig Salstein, Arron Scott (Mercutio), Thomas Forster (Tybalt), Blaine Hoven, Calvin Royal III (Benvolio).
27. American Shakespeare Center, Blackfriars Playhouse, Staunton, Va.
    September 4, 2016. Directed by Benjamin Curns: Zoe Speas (Juliet), Josh Clark (Romeo), Cordell Cole (Mercutio), Aleca Piper (Nurse), J.C. Long (Capulet), Sara J. Griffin (Lady Capulet), Ross Neal (Tybalt), Andrew Goldwasser (Friar Lawrence).
28. Shakespeare Theatre Company, Lansburgh Theatre, Washington, D.C.
    September 19, 2016. Directed by Alan Paul: Andrew Veenstra (Romeo), Ayana Workman (Juliet), Jimmi "J.J." Jeter (Benvolio), Jeffrey Carlson (Mercutio), Ron Menzel (Friar Laurence), Judith Lightfoot Clarke (Lady Capulet), Keith Hamilton Cobb (Capulet).
29. Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company, Garrick Theatre, London (via live broadcast, Folger Theatre, Washington, D.C.)
    October 3, 2016. Directed by Rob Ashford and Kenneth Branagh: Richard Madden (Romeo), Lily James (Juliet), Derek Jacobi (Mercutio), Jack Colgrave Hirst (Benvolio), Meera Syal (Nurse), Ansu Kabia (Tybalt), Michael Rouse (Capulet).
30. Elm Shakespeare Company, Edgerton Park, New Haven, Conn.
    August 31, 2017. Directed by Raphael Massie: Courtney Jamison (Juliet), Steven Lee Johnson (Romeo), James Udom (Mercutio), Gracy Brown (Nurse), Claire Warden (Tybalt), Avery Bargar (Benvolio), Samantha Dena Smith (Lady Capulet), Cassandra DeMarco (Gregory).
31. Romeo and Juliet: Choose Your Own Ending, Valley Shakespeare Festival, Tavern 1757, Seymour, Connecticut.
    February 15, 2018. Directed by Tom Simonetti: Killian Meehan (Romeo), Jessica Breda (Rosaline), Ella Smith (Juliet, Bianca), Jeremy Funke (Mercutio, Nurse), Jack D. Martin (Tybalt, Paris), Sam Plattus (Benvolio, Capulet), Tom Simonetti (Chorus).
32. Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Allen Elizabethan Theatre, Ashland, Oregon.
    October 3, 2018. Directed by Dámaso Rodríguez: William Thomas Hodgson (Romeo), Emily Ota (Juliet), Sara Bruner (Mercutio), Julian Remulla (Benvolio), Robin Goodrin Nordli (Nurse), Michael J. Hume (Friar Laurence), Greg Watanabe (Capulet).
33. Shakespeare Opera Theatre, Grace The Plains, the Plains, Va.
    February 8, 2019. Directed by Lori Lind, Berlioz score conducted by Lisa Bloy: David Schoonover (Romeo), Elle Marie Sullivan (Juliet), James Brown (Mercutio, Montague), Robert Austin Barker (Benvolio), Ian Pomerantz (Friar Laurence), Maggie Ramsey (Prince).
34. Smith Street Stage, Carroll Park, Brooklyn, N.Y.
    June 29, 2019. Directed by Shaun Bennet Fauntleroy: Katie Willmorth (Juliet), Noah Anderson (Romeo), Jonathan Minton (Friar Lawrence), Lauren Pennline (Mercutio), Richard Lear (Capulet), Rachel Benbow Murdy (Nurse), Jeffrey Val Brabant (Benvolio), Alex Purcell (Tybalt).
35. American Shakespeare Center, Blackfriars Playhouse, Staunton, Virginia.
    April 9, 2022. Directed by José Zayas: Meg Rodgers (Juliet), Brandon Carter (Romeo), Gregory Jon Phelps (Friar Lawrence), Jessika D. WIlliams (Lady Capulet), Patrick Earl (Mercutio, Montague), Erica Cruz Hernández, Chris Bellinger (Capulet), Corrie Green (Benvolio).
36. Faction of Fools, Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, Washington, D.C.
    January 20, 2024. Directed by Kathryn Zoerb. Two casts: Travis Xavier Brown/Max Johnson (Romeo, Montegue), Bri Houtman/Jasmine Proctor (Juliet, Prince), Natalie Cutcher/Francesca Chilcote (Friar Laurence, Tybalt), Ben Lauer/Deimoni Brewington (Nurse, Benvolio, Paris), Robert Pike/Mary Myers (Mercutio, Caputlet).
    

The Spanish Tragedy

The Taming of the Shrew

The Tempest

Timon of Athens

Titus Andronicus

Troilus and Cressida

Twelfth Night

The Two Gentlemen of Verona

The Two Noble Kinsmen

The Winter's Tale

The Sonnets

The Rape of Lucrece

Venus and Adonis

Miscellaneous

Non-Shakespeare Productions