‘Romeo and Zooliet’ offers kid-friendly fun in new location this fall
“Romeo and Zooliet” is a comedy filled with friendship, adventure, and larger-than-life puppets as part of the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival’s 2026 season. (photo courtesy of St. Louis Shakespeare Festival)
By Brittany Blackwell
Reporter • This fall, St. Louis Shakespeare Festival will bring back its family-friendly production “Romeo and Zooliet” at a new location.
According to Erin Vlasaty, senior manager of institutional giving, the production will now take place at the same location as Shakespeare in the Park in Forest Park, known as Shakespeare Glen just off Fine Arts Drive on the east side of Art Hill.
Previously performed at the Saint Louis Zoo, this interactive production is designed to introduce Shakespeare to younger audiences and families in an accessible and engaging format.
According to St. Louis Shakespeare Festival’s website, “Romeo and Zooliet” tells the story of zoo animals mounting their own production of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” but the Montagues are herbivores and the Capulets are carnivores.
This comedic production features animal puppetry by Michael Curry Design, playwright Jennifer Joan Thompson and director Tom Ridgely. It is adapted from the award-winning graphic novel “The Stratford Zoo Midnight Revue Presents Romeo and Juliet” by Ian Lendler and Zack Giallongo.
The show will run for three weekends, from Sept. 24 to Oct. 11, and will offer matinees, group ticket options and free seating similar to main stage performances. Tickets are available at https://stlshakes.org/production/romeo-zooliet/
Additionally, “Romeo and Zooliet” puppets will appear at Meet and Greets throughout St. Louis. For more information, visit stlshakes.org/romeo-zooliet-puppet-meet-greets.
The production is part of the organization’s broader effort to create multiple entry points into Shakespeare programming. The nonprofit offers three key areas of access for performances — TourCo, Shakespeare in the Park and Shakespeare in the Streets, which turns a collection of neighborhood stories into a play performed for the community and inspired by Shakespeare. The event is free and held every other year. The next installment is set for fall 2027 in Dogtown, one of St. Louis City’s enclaves.
TourCo will present “The Two Gentlemen of Verona” in various communities, including Highland, from Aug. 4 to Sept. 6. Shakespeare in the Park will feature “The Tempest” through June 21.
