Theatre Review: Romeo and Juliet

On October 30, 2006, I attended Shakespeare's famous play, Romeo and Juliet, at Young Auditorium. This particular American Players Theatre production was directed by David Frank and managed by Evelyn Matten. In the program under the director's notes, Frank described the play's theme as "that simple truth is the streak of adolescence that lurks within all of us: a longing for utterly perfect, romantic love." The intense tragedy of the second act, combined with the sexual and light-hearted comedy of the first act would make this, in my opinion, a Tragicomedy.

The play is about two young teens struggling against their family's differences and adolescent views of love for each other, while at the same time growing up, without anyone realizing it, and showing both their families what matters most in this world... love. The two main characters, Romeo and Juliet were played by Shawn Fagan and Leah Curney. Fagan did an exceptional job of playing the love stricken boy, who found his inner "Man", once holding the lifeless body of his best friend, Mercutio-played by Darragh Kennan. And Curney got a standing ovation for her role as the naïve young beauty, who followed her heart and led her disrespected parents into a greater peace for their family's name that was thought impossible to reach.

The theatre type was a proscenium with a both realistic and symbolic design depending on the scene it was used for. It was a very plain design of black steel and wire with a winding staircase, balcony, mini flight of stairs, and a bridge. The lighting and music were always set to the mood of scene. For example, when the Prince came after a death or disturbance the lighting was focused on him and dark upon those that caused the ruckus. As far as verisimilitude goes, it was along Shakespeare's play's accuracy, but had some of its own add-ins to make it the director's own and the language was the same as if reading it from Shakespeare's play. There were many moments that I found myself comparing it to the modern movie with Leonardo Dicaprio and Clare Danes as well as to what I had read in high school from Shakespeare's play, so the combination of all of those versions along with this play in a way prevented me from simply enjoying it rather than critiquing it. The costumes reflected the Elizabethean Times and the only props used were a backless bench, a cot-like bed, and hand props which were the masks for the masquerade ball where Romeo and Juliet met.

I always love this play in every form and version that I've seen it in, but this was, however, the first time I saw it on stage in front of me, rather than a taped version of the play on stage. I think this version was definitely successful and was amazed at how many changes were made, and yet how much stayed the same. I think, though, that it would have been more enjoyable if I wasn't comparing and contrasting to the play I read and the movie version and all other versions that I've seen and read, but it couldn't be helped.