Yale Rep’s next show features the world’s most famous lovers

“Romeo and Juliet,” William Shakespeare’s famed story about star-crossed teenagers who choose each other in spite of their feuding families’ ancient grudge, will be the next production of the Yale Repertory Theatre.

The production runs March 11-April 2 at the University Theatre, 222 York St. Opening night is Thursday, March 17.

Considered the world’s most enduring love story, “Romeo and Juliet” bounds between festive celebrations and bloody duels, and battles of wit and soaring romanticism. Directing the production is Shana Cooper, an alumnus of the Yale School of Drama who from 2000 to 2004 was the associate artistic director of the California Shakespeare Theater. Cooper’s recent projects include the Black Swan Lab, a new play workshop series, and “The (Un)Fortunates,” a workshop for the new musical by Three Blind Mice at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Other recent productions include “The Three Sisters” (The Studio, New York) and “A Lie of the Mind” (American Conservatory Theater M.F.A. program). She is a founding member of new theater house, where she directed Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “Twelfth Night,” among other plays. She is the recipient of a 2010 Princess Grace Award and Drama League Directing Fellowship, among other honors.

The cast features Brian Robert Burns, Catherine Castellanos, William DeMeritt, John Patrick Doherty, Marcus Henderson, Chris Henry, Ben Horner, Irene Sofía Lucio, Cynthia Mace, Graeme Malcolm, Christopher McHale, Seamus Mulcahy, Andy Murray, Fisher Neal, Joseph Parks, Christina Rouner, Blake Segal, Alice Shih, Gabriel Sloyer, Sarah Sokolovic, Henry Stram and Kathryn Zukaitis.

“Romeo and Juliet” features original music by Gina Leishman, choreography by Seán Curran, sets by Po-Lin Li, costumes by Leon Dobkowski, lighting by Laura J. Eckelman, sound by Jennifer Lynn Jackson, vocal coaching by Grace Zandarski, fight direction by Rick Sordelet, dramaturgy by Kee-Yoon Nahm and stage management by Kirsten Parker.

Performances are at 8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, with an additional 8 p.m. performance on Monday, March 14, and 2 p.m. performances on Saturday, March 19 and 26, and April 2, and on Wednesday, March 23. Special events include “Talk Back” discussions with the cast and crew following the 2 p.m. performance on March 19 and on March 26, and the 8 p.m. performance on March 24. A reception for senior citizens will precede the 2 p.m. show on March 23 and a reception for graduate students will precede the 8 p.m. show on March 26. The 2 p.m. show on March 26 is open captioned and the 2 p.m. show on April 2 is audio described. In addition, there will be three 10:30 a.m. WILL POWER! performances March 28-March 30 that are designed for middle and high school student groups only (contact Ruth Feldman at 203-432-8425 or email rm.feldman@yale.edu to arrange for a student group visit).

Tickets for “Romeo and Juliet” are $10-$85 and are available online at www.yalerep.org, by phone at 203-432-1234 and in person at the Yale Rep box office, 1120 Chapel St. (at York Street). Student, senior and group rates are also available. All tickets to the March 14 show are $10 and tickets to the March 15 and 16 shows are $20.