Mixed Precipitation celebrates 15 years of outdoor summer fun, performing one of the most beloved and famous tragedies in the theatre tradition, Romeo and Juliet, adapted from Vincenzo Bellini’s 1830 opera, I Capuleti e i Montecchi (The Capulets and the Montagues).
This adaptation of the beloved tragedy promises laughter, gorgeous bel canto melodies, and calamitous romance. This timeless tale of star-crossed lovers careening toward doom is tragically hopeful and hopefully tragic. Continuing Mixed Preciptiation’s tradition of musical ingenuity, this production also features the music of Fleetwood Mac, The Fugees, and the Pixies – star-crossed bands whose passionate romance and feuds play out in their music.
More about our show and our incredible team!
Juliet and Romeo are online strivers in a time of global strife. She’s lifting up others through her social media career – teaching survival skills, sharing recipes, and DIY crafts. Romeo is documenting his van-life travels, inspiring millions to live life to the fullest, even in the darkest times. These two social media sensations are tired of depending on clicks and likes to survive. So they’re teaming up for a cross-country elopement and honeymoon. But larger forces plan to disrupt their destiny.
This adaptation of the beloved tragedy promises laughter, gorgeous bel canto melodies, and calamitous romance. This timeless tale of star-crossed lovers careening toward doom is tragically hopeful and hopefully tragic. Continuing Mixed Preciptiation’s tradition of musical ingenuity, this production also features the music of Fleetwood Mac, The Fugees, and the Pixies – star-crossed bands whose passionate romance and feuds play out in their music.
For this 15th summer production, Mixed Precipitation welcomes new artists to our team: staging director Tara Moses and multi-hyphenated theater artist and playwright Denzel Belin.
Tara Moses (she/her) is a citizen of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, Mvskoke, director, and award-winning playwright. She directed an acclaimed outdoor production of Othello for the South Dakota Shakespeare Festival, and her adaptation of Hamlet: El Príncipe de Denmark was recently published in The Bard in the Borderlands: An Anthology of Shakespeare Appropriations en La Frontera, Volume 1. Last spring she directed a production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch in Providence, Rhode Island and the world premiere of Cashed Out by Claude Jackson, Jr at San Francisco Playhouse.
Regarding this production, Tara says, “This is not my first outdoor production, but it is the first time I’ve been able to bring together many of my loves: Shakespeare, beautiful Italian opera, and Fleetwood Mac. Being able to tell this classic story with such a contemporary lens has breathed new life into this cautionary tale, and with the adaptation by Denzel Belin, it has also shed light on the more sinister parts of social media.”
Music director Gary Ruschman and artistic director Scotty Reynolds and movement director Jacob Miller contribute to this modern adaptation.
Sopranos Corissa Bussian and Jennifer LeDoux lead the cast, sharing the role of Juliet (Guilietta ) on alternating weekends. Mezzo-Sopranos KrisAnne Weiss and Kara Morgan share the role of Romeo. Tenor Paul Coate plays the role of Tabaldo, Romeo’s rival.
Mark Billy and Joshua Eidem share the role of Lorenzo. Baritone Nick Miller returns for his 4th Mixed Precipitation production as Capellio, Juliet’s father. He will share this role with Baritone Eric Smedsrud . Multi-instrumentalists Ruschman, Nick Miller, Uchenna Chidozie and Galina Dordevic accompany the drama. Watch our website for information about the rotating cast.
This touring spectacle features the work of set designer Alex Hathaway, costume designer Rhiannon Fiskradatz, props designer Woody Timberheart, and stage manager Brian Hirt. We are also supported by intimacy coordinator James Grace, and our Anti-oppression and Wellness facilitators, Akiko Ostlund and Asher Edes.
Their 2023 summer tour includes performances in sprawling parks, nature centers, and farms all over Minnesota. Audiences are encouraged to bring a lawn chair and beverages for comfort and hydration. The performance lasts approximately 75-90 minutes. All shows are outdoors. Watch our website and social media for weather delays.
Mixed Precipitation began this mobile format in 2020, using a blue 2011 Ford Ranger Pickup Truck and a trailer as the container and platform for the opera’s action. The Pickup Truck will bring pop-up performances to audiences on neighborhood streets, public squares, libraries, and care facilities.