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.