ROMEO & JULIET

By William Shakespeare

Music by Landon Doak

Theatre on the Ridge

June-July, 2026

Scugog Shores Museum, Port Perry

Associate Producer: Iain Moggach

Stage Manager and Assistant Choreographer: Alea Carrington

Production Manager: Eva Carroll

Technical Director: Andy Williamson

Set Designer: Iain Moggach, Carey Nicholson, Alora Kotelo

Costume Designer and Props Master: Alora Ko

Romeo: Ben McIntyre-Ridd

Juliet: Una Rouslton

Nurse/Prince: Shannon Pitre

Mercutio/Paris: Kieran Prouty

Capulet: Elm Reyes

Tybalt/Friar Laurence: Michael Williamson

Benvolio: Hilary Wheeler

After the extraordinary success of Bluebirds, Landon Doak approached me with the idea of rebuilding and remounting our musical rendition of Romeo and Juliet. With the breadth of experience we both gained since its original production in 2015 (Landon having recieved numerous substantial accolaides such as Dora Award wins and nominations, and me with my experience developing, producing, and directing works across the province), and the fact that fate had given us a company in Port Perry (where the show was originally produced) that embraced the scrappy mentality of our original production, it felt like the perfect time.

Carey, the Artistic Director of Theatre on the Ridge, loved the idea. I have to admit, this did surprise me a little. The scope of it - 7 actor-musicians, multiple characters, etc., was a far cry from the minimalist restraint of Bluebirds, but I certainly wasn't going to question it.

I have to say, I have loved working with Landon again. It felt like we fell right back into the old rhythm of the creative partnership that blossomed close to 15 years ago. Except, just older, wiser, and while a little world weary from the whips and scorns of our industry, still the same hopeful, scrappy kids.

This process has also been a great opportunity to dive back into Shakespeare. I realized that the last time I directed a full Shakespeare production was 2018! And though I had directed R&J before, it had been so long it might as well have been new.

The launch of the project was strong. We received an OAC Recommender grant from Talk is Free Theatre that supported a 3 day workshop of the music, which is where the current photos are from. Not only did that workshop allow Landon to refine some of the music, but it also got the music into the mouths and bodies of the cast a month before rehearsal. And it had the bonus effect of breaking the ice between everyone.

We are deep into rehearsals now, and open on June 18th (link in my upcoming page or the announcement bar). I am certain I will have much more to say, but for now, I will say that I am having a great time with great people, Port Perry is a beautiful place, and, not to jinx anything, but we may be in the midst of something quite special.