As a late addition to its 2025-2026 season, Falcon Theatre is bringing audiences the regional premiere of Juliet: A Dialogue About Love by András Visky this December. The play is based on the experience of the playwright’s family under the brutal Communist regime in Romania during the early 1960s and is told by Visky’s mother.
The Production Team
I’d like to commend Director Zoë Peterson for their command of this poetic piece. There is no linear timeline; yet, Mx. Peterson keeps the dialogue and action focused without compromising the whimsical presentation of it all. Pacing is steady and their grasp of the intended course this play takes is second to none. Further, their incorporation of shadow puppetry is a brilliant choice.
Complementing Mx. Peterson’s direction beautifully is the choreography of Movement Consultant Grace Wagner. The action onstage is constant while still holding focus when necessary. Movement is representative without being silly or in the pantomime vein. Special shout-out to Lighting Design by Ted Weil for its contribution to the overall aesthetic and changing landscape in the story unfolding before us.
The Performing Artists
Stepping into the titular role is the incredible Samantha Joy Weil. Ms. Weil’s studies with playwright Visky while earning her B.F.A. in Theatre Performance at Northern Illinois University fundamentally helped to shape her as an artist and this performance is clearly her love letter to him. As one would expect, the physicality Ms. Weil brings to Juliet is nothing short of perfection. She is constantly in motion, but it is controlled rather than chaotic, and yet, still wonderfully organic.
In addition to being a master of movement, Ms. Weil’s ability to fully amalgamate to her characters serves her well on this particular journey. Every emotion is clearly communicated with every fibre of her being. Without breaking my rules about spoilers, I will reveal that the character of Juliet shares with us that she is not the best at crying nor laughing. However, if you assume this means she emits no strong emotions, you would be utterly incorrect. The control Ms. Weil exercises with her body is matched by the grasp she has on the portrayal of emotion throughout this tale. There are no missteps–either proverbial or literal–made in this depiction of one of Visky’s more personal works.
The Sweet and Lowdown
It is not hard to understand why this play has been one of Samantha’s passion projects. Visky’s writing style is lyrical and soothing, even when addressing not-so-soothing topics. He does not shy away from gritty topics and is clearly using his voice to fight repression. As a survivor of five years in a gulag (something before which he has no memory as he was only two-years-old before being imprisoned), his words are especially meaningful to the continued fight for freedom and justice.
Juliet is a deeply moving piece of art and Falcon Theatre does it proud.
Tickets to Juliet: A Dialogue About Love
There are only three more chances to catch Juliet: A Dialog About Love at Falcon Theatre. They are December 13, 19th and 20th. Purchase tickets here.
