Resonances Works presents immersive Roméo & Juliette

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Date: May 21, 2026 CONTACT Maria Sensi Sellner, Artistic & General Director media@resworks.org  (412) 501-3330 Resonance Works' Roméo & Juliette makes grand opera intimate Gounod's operatic retelling of Shakespeare's star-cross'd lovers will be performed in Pittsburgh for the first time in 20 years. Pittsburgh-native tenor Benjamin Werley and soprano Helen Zhibing Huang as Roméo and Juliette • Photo courtesy of El Paso Opera Resonance Works' Roméo & Juliette makes grand opera intimate Gounod's operatic retelling of Shakespeare's star-cross'd lovers will be performed in Pittsburgh for the first time in 20 years. Resonance Works concludes its 13th season with Roméo & Juliette, Charles Gounod’s operatic retelling of Shakespeare’s tale of star-cross’d lovers and the devastating cost of hatred, performed in Pittsburgh for the first time in 20 years. Performances take place Friday June 19 at 8:00 PM and Sunday June 21 at 3:00 PM at The New Hazlett Theater in Pittsburgh's Northside neighborhood. Gounod's luminous score brings Shakespeare's beloved characters to urgent, aching life, from the ecstasy of first love to the catastrophic consequences of a feud neither side chose. "In this time of great division in our world, Roméo & Juliette is just as relevant as it was in Shakespeare’s and in Gounod’s time," says Maria Sensi Sellner, Artistic & General Director of Resonance Works. "These beloved characters remind us of the human consequences of villainizing one another. Roméo & Juliette reminds us, in the opera's own words, that ‘des haines le temps est passé’ — the time for hatred has passed.” Originally premiered at El Paso Opera in 2025, this fresh and innovative production was created by stage director (and former Carnegie Mellon School of Drama faculty) Justin Lucero and Sensi Sellner. “Roméo & Juliette is grand opera made intimate and immersive,” says Sensi Sellner. “Audiences won't simply watch the story unfold; they'll be drawn into the heart of it, surrounded by the drama in a way that is rarely possible in traditional operatic settings.”  Mercutio (Patrick McNally) and Tybalt (Donovan Smith) fight it out amidst the audience Photo courtesy of El Paso Opera Shakespeare's tale and Gounod's score are brought to life by a spectacular ensemble cast, led by returning soprano Helen Zhibing Huang as Juliette, and Pittsburgh native tenor Benjamin Werley, making his Resonance Works debut as Roméo. Also making their company debuts are acclaimed bass Philip Cokorinos as Friar Laurence, bass-baritone Ricardo Herrera as Juliette's father, Lord Capulet, and mezzo-soprano Cherry Duke as Gertrude, Juliette’s confidante. Returning favorites George Milosh and Patrick McNally find themselves on opposite sides of the centuries-old feud as Juliette's cousin Tybalt and Roméo's friend Mercutio, respectively. Acclaimed Metropolitan Opera bass Philip Cokorinos as Friar Laurence with Helen Zhibing Huang's Juliette - Photo courtesy of El Paso Opera Resonance Works invites audiences to encounter Roméo & Juliette before the curtain rises with two special free preview events. On Thursday May 28 at 7 p.m. at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall in Carnegie, engage in an evening of readings from Shakespeare's play, live performance by cast member Benjamin Werley, and a rich discussion about the opera and its source material.    On Sunday, June 7 at 3 p.m., make your way to Acclamation Brewing in "fair Verona,” PA for an unforgettable afternoon of live music from the opera and a meet-and-greet with our cast. An ideal introduction to the production for first-time opera goers and longtime fans alike. “Resonance Works is all about helping people experience classic stories and music in new ways, and Roméo & Juliette does just that. We are so proud to bring this beautiful opera back to Pittsburgh after more than twenty years, with a cast and creative team that will surprise, thrill, and deeply move audiences." Roméo & Juliette Friday, June 19, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. Sunday, June 21, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. The New Hazlett Theater 6 Allegheny Square East Pittsburgh, PA 15212 Run time: 2 hours with one intermission Tickets: $20 - $65, with special rates for seniors and students www.resonanceworks.org/romeo-juliette  Ticketing, group sales, and general questions: sales@resworks.org (412) 501-3330 About Resonance Works Resonance Works presents music that deserves to be heard, performed at the highest level of artistry, giving new context to beloved classics and introducing new and underperformed works to Pittsburgh audiences. Performed in the intimacy of small theatres, churches, art galleries, and even cemeteries, our productions heighten the soul-stirring experience of live music by bringing audiences and artists into close proximity.  Our programming is intentionally diverse, exploring the full breadth of classical music performance from fully staged opera to orchestral, choral, and chamber music. We challenge traditional assumptions about classical music, engaging audiences, sparking conversations, and creating community through shared experiences. By cultivating dynamic partnerships with nationally and internationally renowned artists, we create musical experiences that empower the artists’ voices and speak to urgent contemporary issues. We believe in creating equitable musical spaces where everyone in our community feels welcome and has the opportunity to see their experience reflected on stage. Accessibility: At Resonance Works, we are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment. We will provide venue-specific accessibility details closer to each performance date. If you have questions or require specific accommodations, please contact Brennan Sellner at brennan@resworks.org or 412-501-3330, and we will make every effort to work with you. Facebook Instagram Website Email