Ohio Shakespeare Festival’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ delivers
There is something absolutely satisfying about seeing a well produced Shakespearean masterpeice. The poetic style of writing has phrases that still ring true to the ear nearly 500 years after being put down on paper for the first time. The intensity of the plot and sub plots giving us a glimpse of how life went on during the Elizabethan Period in England.
“Romeo and Juliet” is not in any form an original idea. It is noted that William Shakespeare borrowed heavily from two sources, one of which was an Italian tale written by Matteo Bandello. This story was later translated into verse as “The Trafical History of Romeus and Juliet” by Arthur Brooke. To Shakespeare’s credit he expanded the plot by adding supporting characters including Mercutio and Paris. The true genius was the use of poetic dramatic structure which included switching between comedy and tragedy to raise the tension level. Shakespeare knew his audience and wrote to please them.
Currently the Ohio Shakespeare Festival production of “Romeo and Juliet” is being offered on the Henry C. Bishop Stage in OSF’s winter quarters at Greystone Hall at 103 S. High Street in Akron, Ohio. The show is directed by Lara Mielcarek.
This well known Shakespearean romtrag (romantic/tragedy) delves into the idea of what happens when a generations long hatred between two families boils over taking the youngest members to their untimely deaths.
In the city of Verona, Italy two families (The Montagues and Capulets) have been at war with each other for longer than can be remembered. Tensions are so high that a mere gesture is enough to instigate a street brawl. Swords flash in the sunlight as reinforcements from both families arrive to defend their family’s honor. Prince Escalus (Chris Bizub) arrives on the scene and puts a stop to the fight declaring that any further breach of the peace will be harshly dealt with.
That day, Count Paris (Austin Vandegrift) meets with Lord Capulet (Brian Pedaci) to discuss marriage to Capulet’s daughter, Juliet (Maria Guardino Schreiner) but Paris is asked to wait two years. Capulet then invites Paris to a ball. All the while Lady Capulet (Natalie Steen) and Juliet’s Nurse (Hannah Storch) attempt to persuade Juliet to allow the courtship.
As this unfolds, Benvolio (Troian Butler) is having a conversation with his cousin Romeo (Lloyd Wayne Taylor) about the young man’s ongoing depression. It soon becomes clear that Romeo is in unrequited love with Rosaline one of the Capulet nieces. Word comes around about the upcoming Capulet ball. Benvolio with help from Romeo’s friend Mercutio (Geoff Knox) convinces Romeo to come with them to crash the masked ball. The trio arrives in mask and as the music swells, Romeo loses sight of his first love and casts his eyes on the vision of Juliet. The two lovers manage to sneak away for some talk and a kiss.
Juliet’s cousin, Tybalt (Ryan Zarecki) realizes that some Montagues have managed their way in but is stopped by Lord Capulet from starting a fight. That night, Romeo sneaks back to under Juliet’s window “But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.” upon which Juliet (unaware of Romeo’s presence) speaks of her love “Romeo, Romeo where for art though Romeo?” The two meet and pledge their love for each other with plans to get married the next day with the help of Friar Laurence (Derrick Winger). Friar Laurence hopes that this marriage will bring the families together.
Out on the street, Tybalt who is still incensed about the Montagues crashing the ball runs into Romeo challenging him to a duel. Romeo now considers Tybalt part of his family and refuses to fight. Mercutio steps in to fight in Romeo’s stead and is killed. Angered that his friend has been killed for no reason Romeo picks up a sword and kills Tybalt. Prince Escalus arrives and banishes Romeo from the city and the young Montague goes to spend the night with his new wife, Juliet. Romeo leaves the bed chamber just before Lord Capulet enters to inform Juliet that she is to marry Count Paris.
This production is as pure an example of traditional Shakespeare as you will be likely to find anywhere. Props are minimal with large chests transformed into benches, beds and a sarcophagus. The balcony is used for various locals that include the entry ways for the two families (left for Montague, right for Capulet) as well as a trap door to the burial vault. The main detail is in the costumes designed by Marty LaConte. The period inspired works have fine detail even when seen up close. The sword fights choreographed by Ryan Zarecki are spirited and realistic with the action covering the stage. In fact all during the show you need to pay attention to everyone on stage to see their reaction to events unfolding around them. Josy Jones does excellent work as the lighting designer with partial blackouts to cover the movement of props and stage sets while spotlit scenes carry the scene forward.
As for the actors, what more can be said of people who live and breathe the words of the Bard. Lloyd Wayne Taylor is up to the task as Romeo bringing a youthful freshness to the roll. The same can be said of Maria Guardino Schreiner who portrays Juliet exactly as one would expect a teen of that time period to act. Geoff Knox as Mercutio steals the stage with his antics as Romeo’s side kick giving a balance of near madcap and baldy comedy to the tragic story. Derrick Winger as Friar Lawrence is the cool head hoping to prevail but his best efforts go for naught. Hannah Storch is the female comic farce as Juliet’s Nurse. Ryan Zarecki as the smoldering Tybalt plays his part well. Brian Pedaci and Natalie Steen as Lord and Lady Capulet are the vision of royalty along with Geoffrey Darling and Stephanie Cargill as Lord and Lady Montague.
Seldom will you find productions of the Shakespearean masterpiece “Romeo and Juliet” done with such attention to detail right down to the youthful ‘teenage’ appearance of the principles. This is a smooth error free production that will leave you feeling fully entertained. Make the drive to Akron.
The Ohio Shakespeare Festival production of “Romeo and Juliet” will be on stage at Greystone Hall’s Henry C. Bishop Stage located at 103 South High Street, Akron, Ohio through March 2, 2025. For more information and to order tickets go to https://www.ohioshakespearefestival.com/ or call (330) 574-2537.
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