Inspired by one of the greatest and saddest love stories of all time, artists across centuries and oceans have retold the tale of Romeo and Juliet in various forms and incarnations. This section explores the connections across the arts and highlights some of our favorite versions of the tragic tale as depicted in films, operas, ballets and paintings.

Performing Arts

In this section, you can explore how Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet has inspired innumerable stage productions, such as the musical West Side Story, ballet by Prokofiev, opera by Gounod, and Tchaikovsky's symphonic poem. You can also find out about up-coming performances at the Kennedy Center related to the life and work of the famous William Shakespeare.

Visual Arts

Because the characters of Shakespeare's tale are so memorable and the events that occur in his plays are successfully described, many artists have produced images conveying their visual interpretations of particular scenes. This portion provides information about some artistic renditions of Romeo and Juliet, links to the galleries that house them, information on film versions of the play, and photographs of the Romeo and Juliet Houses in Verona.

Literary Arts

Did you know that Shakespeare was not the first person to write about the star-cross'd lovers Romeo and Juliet? Find out what inspired the renowned playwright to pen his tragic play in this section, as well as information on Elizabethan literature, literary criticism, and more.