Pub & Play – Romeo & Juliet coming to Moody’s Patio
The next time you’re enjoying a juicy burger or glass of sangria on the beautiful patio at Moody’s Pub, you may find yourself in the middle of a performance of Romeo and Juliet. That’s because a group of recent college graduates (many hailing from Northwestern) have gotten together to produce a show that will run through August at the popular Edgewater eatery. The 90 minute performances will be held at 7PM on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the month of August, though there will be no show on August 28th.
Dubbed the “Rabid Bat Theatricals,” a name whose origin comes from a notice posted on director Ned Baker’s apartment warning of a rabid bat on the loose, the group wanted to do a piece that was exciting and challenging, while at the same time being something that could give back to and be a part of the community.
The show aims to create an event that makes the traditional interaction between audience and play more personal and less formal, moving the play out of the conventional theater and into the bar courtyard, encouraging patrons to make themselves comfortable. Choosing Romeo and Juliet was mostly Baker’s idea, who says he was inspired by a biography of Joseph Papp, an American theatre legend, who took his first baby steps with a shoestring-budget production of Romeo and Juliet..
“I like giving people a chance to experience such a familiar show in such a potentially disarming and immersive way. I’m excited about the ways in which this will hopefully be as much a community event as a play,” Baker stated. ”Can’t wait to begin this crazy adventure and introduce ourselves to the Chicago community.”
For more info be sure to check out their website: bar-and-jay.squarespace.com. While every show is free and open to the public, seats are limited. Donations are also being accepted via their Kickstarter page, to help offset the costs of production.
