When I was first introduced to Shakespeare's tragedies in high school, I was incredibly intimidated. We would study them in sombre confusion; we'd read them aloud with great conviction and little understanding. I'm not sure if the language bogged me down, or the seemingly huge emotions. I just remember those classes being very depressing. Re-reading Romeo and Juliet these years later, after having worked on Twelfth Night, A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Taming of the Shrew, I am reminded of Shakespeare's incredible sense of play, his sense of fun. The tragedy in the show is interesting because it is juxtaposed with the comedy. I find myself laughing at Romeo's antics, impressed by Juliet's maturity and embarrassed by the "adults" hypocrisy. In my preparation for this show I have decided that Shakespeare is accessible to a director, actor or audience who is willing to relax and become involved in the characters and the language (verbal, physical and emotional) with which they charm, amuse, or disenchant.
-Darlene Spencer, Director
Fall 1991 Production
By William Shakespeare
Directed by: Darlene Spencer
Performances: November 20-23, 1991
Venue: Theatre of the Arts, Modern Languages Building
Cast
The Capulets
John Salvini – Capulet
Nancy Forde – Lady Capulet
Michelle D’Alessandro – Juliet
Jennifer Clark – Nurse
Tim Rogers – Tybalt
Don Bain – Peter/Servant
Brad Curtin – Sampson
Mike Glussich – Gregory
Jonathan Goad – Paris
Mike MacDonald – Paris’ Page / Thug
Lynn Dowsley – Waitress / Party-Goer
Tara Terrick – Waitress / Party–Goer
The Montagues
David Wilson – Montague
Irene Binstock – Lady Montague
Joel Harris – Romeo
Tammy Speers – Benvolio
Roger Sumner - Mercutio
Robert Lombardi – Bathasar
Adam McCarthy – Abram / Servingman
Craig Mason – Friar Lawrence
Jonathan Plumtree – Friar John/Thug
Roger Lemke – Apothecary/Thug
George Rich – The Prince
Creative Team
Director - Darlene Spencer
Set Design - Stephen Degenstein
Lighting Design – Cathy Prendergast
Costume Design – Jocelyne Sobeski
Design Assistants – Mike Poole, Mike Glussich
Production Team
Stage Manager – Lesley Storm
Assistant Stage Manager – Luisa Lago, Todd Ruthman
Master Electrician – Terry Tremeer
Costume Mistress – Kelly Lemon
Costume Crew – Sarah Weber, Heidi Classen
Properties Master – Erin Heirman
Props Assistant – Mary Moore
Lighting – David Stanley
Light Crew – Sheilagh Henry
Sound Coordinator – Martin McCormick
Publicity – Joyce Hahn
Publicity Assistant – Kimwun Perehinec
Master Carpenter – Michael Quigley
Carpentry/ Painting Crew – Carlos Heleno, Steve Bereza, Chad Cronkwright, Kim Powell
Special Thanks
Al Anderson
Alex Kordics
Luisa Lago
Robert Lombardi
Sam Nichols
Yum Yum Creations
Drama 243