Romanoff and Juliet

"Romanoff and Juliet" is a play by Peter Ustinov. A comic spoof of the Cold War, it is set in the small mythical mid-European country of Concordia, whose leader is wooed by the United States and the Soviet Union, each one wanting him as an ally. Russia's ambassador, a member of the Romanoff family, has a son Igor who falls in love with Juliet, the daughter of the US diplomat. The two opposing families, one communist, the other capitalist, represent the warring Capulets and Montagues of "Romeo and Juliet".

The play premiered in Manchester, England on April 2, 1956 [ [http://www.brainyhistory.com/events/1956/april_2_1956_117753.html BrainyHistory.com] ] . The Broadway production, produced by David Merrick and directed by George S. Kaufman, opened on October 10, 1957 at the Plymouth Theatre and ran for 389 performances.

The opening night cast included Peter Ustinov as the General, Gerald Sarracini as Igor, and Elizabeth Allen as Juliet, with Fred Clark, Natalie Schafer, and Jack Gilford in supporting roles.

Ustinov was nominated for Tony Awards for Best Play and Best Actor in Play.

Film adaptation

In 1961 Ustinov wrote the screenplay, directed, and starred in a feature film adaptation of his play released by Universal Pictures. It co-starred John Gavin as Igor and Sandra Dee as Juliet.

Ustinov was nominated for the Golden Berlin Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival and the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures.

References

External links

* [http://www.ibdb.com/production.asp?ID=2645 IBDb listing]
* [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055383/ IMDb listing]