Real-Life Romance at Shakespeare in the Park

Oscar Diaz and Janelly Mendoza from Laredo, Texas, celebrated their marriage on stage at the Public Theater’s Delacorte Theater in New York. This special event took place on June 11 after a performance of Romeo and Juliet.

An hour before the play started, Diaz and Mendoza appeared on stage, looking surprised. They were introduced to actor Francis Jue, who not only portrayed Friar Lawrence in the play but also officiated their wedding.

The couple had known each other since childhood. They connected with the Public’s associate artistic director, Saheem Ali, in Laredo. Ali had visited the area to gather insights for his adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, set at the U.S.-Mexican border. In this production, Romeo’s family is Latino, while Juliet’s family supports the border patrol.

Mendoza and Diaz shared with Ali a unique ritual practiced in border cities, where a Mexican citizen and a U.S. citizen marry on a bridge, each standing in their own country, with an officiant in the center. This inspired Ali’s idea to host a real wedding at the play’s conclusion, symbolizing hope where Romeo and Juliet experienced tragedy.

Initially, Mendoza and Diaz dismissed the notion, thinking such events were meant for others. However, after Ali’s follow-up, the couple realized the wedding was indeed happening.

Before their wedding, this was Diaz’s first visit to New York, while Mendoza had been there once as a child. They explored iconic sites like the Brooklyn Bridge and Times Square.

Diaz and Mendoza were not the only couple to marry at Shakespeare in the Park this summer. The theater hosted 32 weddings or vow renewals, one for each performance. Jue shared his gratitude for the opportunity to officiate, emphasizing how theater unites communities.

After the play, Jue addressed the audience and introduced Mendoza and Diaz. Diaz donned a brown blazer with cowboy boots, and Mendoza wore a long ivory dress with sparkling shoes. Jue remarked on the significance of witnessing a real couple commit to a life together, unlike the fictional fate of Romeo and Juliet.

Their vows brought the audience to cheers. Following the ceremony, Diaz and Mendoza showcased their rings and completed their wedding license. Ali playfully ensured their marriage’s permanence by signing as a witness.

Reflecting on their experience, Mendoza expressed joy, saying, “Better!” when asked if the day met her expectations.

This story was prepared for broadcast and digital by Luis Clemens, with audio mixed by Eleana Tworek.