For its first mainstage production, Prismatic Arts Ensemble presents “Romeo Juliette.”

The LGBTQIA+ retelling of Gounod’s “Romeo and Juliet” is set in two fictional drag clubs. This new production celebrates the Philly LGBTQIA+ nightlife by combining drag arts, burlesque, and immersive theater.

William Lim and Marcelle McGuirk take on the title roles, along side Kevin Patrick, Kaitlyn Tierney, Amanda Staub, Giovani Malcolm, Balena Canto, and others. Gabriel Rebolla serves as music director. The opera is sung in French, and features Prismatic Arts Ensemble’s newly commissioned English translation by Rebecca Sacks, which will be projected as supertitles.

With this project, Prismatic aims to put a spotlight on the diversity that exists within classical music, especially on artists who are a part of the LGBTQIA+ community. “Many of the singers that I know are queer and/or gender non-conforming,” says Marcelle McGuirk, Executive Director of Prismatic Arts Ensemble, “and while we are usually welcomed in opera, we very rarely have the opportunity to bring our whole selves into traditional productions of operas.”

“Romeo Juliette: An Immersive Opera Experience” takes place August 9 and 11 at Christ Church Neighborhood House in  Philadelphia, PA. Admission is pay what you can, with a suggested price of $25 per person.