Lord of the Rings actor Orlando Bloom (pictured, via) has landed the role of Romeo Montague in a Broadway revival of Romeo & Juliet. Previews will begin on August 24th and opening night will take place on September 19th.
Tony Award-nominated actress Condola Rashad will portray Juliet Capulet. This particular production will feature William Shakespeare‘s infamous starcrossed lovers as an interracial couple.
In an interview with the New York Times, director David Leveaux explained this casting decision: “I’m not about to turn a contemporary version of Shakespeare into a sociological or political point. We know there are families from one background or another who would reject their children getting together with someone from another group. Romeo and Juliet reject that notion.”