[NEohioPAL] Preview of "Romeo and Juliet" at GLTG

[Bob Abelman]

Experience the power of young love in downtown Chardon

 

Bob Abelman

News-Herald, Chagrin Valley Times, Solon Times, Geauga Times Courier

Member, International Association of Theatre Critics 

 

This review appeared in the News-Herald 1/30/09

 

Never in its storied history has the Geauga Lyric Theatre Guild tackled any of William Shakespeare's classic tragedies, comedies or historical works.

 

Until now.  Romeo and Juliet comes to downtown Chardon.

 

Romeo and Juliet was written early in Shakespeare's career and features two teenaged "star-cross'd lovers" whose suicides unite their feuding families and serve as perpetual reminders of the power and significance of young love.  It was among Shakespeare's most popular plays during his lifetime, is one of his most frequently performed plays in modern times and, according to director Mark Cipra, "still resonates and is long overdue for local audiences.  It is must-see theater."

 

Cipra ought to know, having performed as Lear in King Lear, Caesar in Julius Caesar, King Henry in Henry IV, Menenius in Coriolanus, Capulet in Romeo and Juliet, and Boyet in Love's Labour's Lost with the Cleveland Shakespeare Festival troupe.  He directed numerous other works by the Bard of Avon.  The man knows his Shakespeare.

 

What he did not know upon applying for the director's position was what the GLTG brain trust had in mind when it put Romeo and Juliet in its 2008-09 season.

 

"When the show was first announced," he recalls, "I thought that the theater wanted scaled-down Shakespeare.  You know, an abbreviated version set in modern times with contemporary clothing and a meager attempt at Elizabethan English.  This is much easier to do for a theater inexperienced in things Shakespearean."  

 

Instead, Cipra learned that the GLTG wanted the real deal and was willing to put tremendous resources into the production, including elaborate period costuming and fight choreography.  Cipra figured that with the right combination of inexperienced-but-enthusiastic young actors and veteran performers, he could pull this off.  When the dust settled after auditions, he knew that GLTG patrons were in for something special.

 

Romeo and Juliet will be played by Nathan Earley and Kelly Smith, with David Duffield and Civia Wiesner portraying Juliet's parents and Greg Super and Kris Thompson portraying Romeo's parents.  Other featured players include Debbie Tapager as Juliet's Nurse, Marvin Mallory as Friar Lawrence, and Chad Duwe as Juliet's vain cousin Tybalt.

 

In an innovative bit of against gender casting, Angela Miloro will be playing Mercutio, Romeo's closest friend and advisor on matters of the heart.

 

"There were so many outstanding young women auditioning for Juliet," says Cipra, "that I had to find a way to use more of them.  Angela combined the grace, language skill and acting chops to pull off the tomboyish result needed for this traditionally male role.  She'll illuminate some new sides to the character." 

 

According to producer Donna Nedrow, one of the reasons for staging Romeo and Juliet is its tie-in with the local school curriculum.  Students will bring to this play an existing knowledge of the storyline and clearly drawn images of the characters from reading the classic work in class.  That should allow them to take away from the stage performance a greater understanding and appreciation of the literature.  They also may come to realize the ability of live theater to transform the written word into something vibrant and memorable.   

 

To date, students from Lakeside High School and Chardon's Middle and High schools will be attending performances.  In addition, Cipra will be visiting local classrooms to discuss the play, and representatives from Tim's House, a suicide victim support center in Chardon, will have a table in the theater lobby during performances to provide resources about suicide prevention.  

 

O Romeo, Romeo!  Wherefore art thou Romeo?  At Geauga Theater starting tonight.

 

Details

 

What:     Romeo and Juliet 

When:    January 30 through February 15 (8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays) 

Where:               Geauga Theater, 101 Water Street, Chardon.

Tickets:  $10-12

Info:        440/286-2255 or www.geuagatheater.org.
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