Romeo and Juliet

By: William Shakespeare

Narrated by: Calista Flockhart, Matthew Wolf, Julie White, Alan Mandell, Richard Chamberlain, Nicholas Hormann, Josh Stamberg

Length: 2 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

The most iconic love story of all time, Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is an epic-scale tragedy of desire and revenge. Despite the bitter rivalry that exists between their families, Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet have fallen madly in love. But when the long-running rivalry boils over into murder, the young couple must embark on a dangerous and deadly mission to preserve their love at any cost.

An L.A. Theatre Works full-cast performance featuring Calista Flockhart as Juliet; Matthew Wolf as Romeo; Julie White as Nurse; Alan Mandell as Friar Laurence; Richard Chamberlain as Prince Escalus; Nicholas Hormann as Lord Capulet; Josh Stamberg as Mercutio; Mark J. Sullivan as Benvolio and others; Logan Fahey as Tybalt and Balthasar; Alfred Molina as Chorus; Henry Clarke as Paris and others; Lily Knight as Lady Capulet; Janine Barris as Young Lady, Boy Page to Paris and others; Darren Richardson as Sampson and Peter; Alan Shearman as Lord Montague and others; André Sogliuzzo as Gregory and others; and Sarah Zimmerman as Lady Montague and others. Directed by Martin Jarvis. Recorded at the Invisible Studios, West Hollywood in January, 2012.

©2012 L.A. Theatre Works (P)2012 L.A. Theatre Works

awesome read

loved every minute of it. I can't wait to hear it again. performance unmatched for a audio book.

Tragedy Done Right

This is a classic tale of romance, passion, and its victims done right. It has a top notch cast that makes it a thoroughly enjoyable listen.

Great performance

this was the first time in 40 years that I truly appreciated the cheekiness of Shakespeare. the performers did an excellent job.

Always good

I'm not a huge fan of Shakespeare's works usually but Romeo and Juliet is certainly a personal favorite!

Listening to Shakespeare is easier than reading

It requires some patience to listen to a book written over 400 years ago. Language has evolved and it may require listening again to some parts to understand the context of archaic syntax and words. It was worth it -- to be familiar with such known quotations:

What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other word would smell as sweet.

O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?

But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks?
It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.

A part of star-cross'd lovers take their life.

Good night, good night. Parting is such sweet sorrow,
That I shall say good night till it be morrow.

Good performances but I needed visuals

I really enjoyed the performances in this, but with so many male characters around the same age and with such similar voices, it was difficult to know at times who was speaking. If I were to venture this again, I'd have the script in front of me.

Dramatized drama at its best...

It has been 45 years since I read this play. I have seen a couple movies based on the play but they really didn't to it justice. I found this audio book to present the play in an authentic, dynamic manner. I appreciate the cast and their wonderful work.

Beautiful

I've always loved this story. This has to be my favorite version of it. I think all the voice actors were amazing. This is a very well known and very beautiful play.

Great for classroom use

Would you consider the audio edition of Romeo and Juliet to be better than the print version?

Yes! I've been teaching Romeo and Juliet to 9th graders for a few years, and this year I finally decided to use an audiobook in class for some scenes instead of having students read it aloud. It's been so helpful already! It's good for the students to read it aloud themselves sometimes too, but hearing it the way it was meant to be read has really helped their understanding of the play and their engagement in the story. I am enjoying this version; it is well-performed and has captured and kept my students' attention.

it's Shakespeare

I am very much a fan of Shakespeare. Romeo and Juliet being among one of my favorites. I know the play well , but this performance seemed a little flat lacking passion that I've heard any other past performances.