By MH Thomas
Everyone has heard of Romeo and Juliet—William Shakespeare’s most well-known tragedy. You think you know Romeo and Juliet? As you enter Utah Valley University’s Noorda Theatre, the set is the first clue that you are in for a different Shakespearean experience. There is a grittiness to the scenery that foreshadows a grittiness in this production. Kudos to Stephen Purdy for his well-planned and executed set.
This version of the oft-performed play has more than one twist. As the show begins, you discover that there are no actors on stage yet. The action is on the screen that is cleverly built into the set. This section of film sets the scene. We come to understand the gang like competitiveness that exists between the Montagues and the Capulets.
Romeo at this moment is enamored with Rosaline. As he visits with his friends, Benvolio (Topher Rasmussen) and Mercutia (Maddy Forsyth), they are given invitations to a party given by their rival Capulets. Rasmussen and Forsyth do an excellent job playing off one another. They exhibit a charming yet edgy humor as they banter together as they proceed to the party.
The party is projected on the screen and the scenes proceed seamlessly from stage to screen. I think the smooth transitions are largely due to the live musician on stage who sings a running narrative throughout the show. The performer (Trenton McKean) has a soothing voice and seems to blend right into each scene. Romeo and Juliet meet and sparks quickly fly. Dallin Major (Romeo) and Devin Marie Neff (Juliet) play the sweet-faced young lovers. The innocence of their romance is in stark contrast to the hard atmosphere surrounding them. They are clearly in a world of their own.
This cast is particularly strong. From Friar Laurence (Brian Kocherhans) to Lady Capulet (Kaitlyn Dahl), they all put in the effort to create strong and believable characters. Laurie Harrop-Pursor plays an eccentric but loving aunt to Juliet. Two more standouts are Shawn Francis Saunders with his fierce portrayal of Tybalt and Jacob Theo Squire as a cocky, young Paris.
Another twist in this version of Romeo and Juliet is that we get to see it from two perspectives. As it appears that the show may be coming to a close, everything backs up and we find Juliet and her family on stage. I found the characterization of Lord Capulet (Christopher Clark) as an abusive husband and father to be very effective. The can of Coke that was in his hand often could very well have been a can of beer. He seemed to be playing an angry drunk.
In this production, we see the ready availability of drugs that can harm and kill. The stage director (D. Terrie Petrie) states in his notes: “It is my wish that this production will raise the social consciousness and awareness of pernicious drug use in Utah and Salt Lake Counties and initiate a discussion concerning this growing problem.” The multimedia director (Joel Petrie) helps create an atmosphere on screen that takes us into the lives of people living with dangerous addictions.
The use of various film locations, from the church where Romeo and Juliet are married to the car where they spend the night, brings a sense of reality to the production. We don’t just imagine day and night, we see day and night on the screen.
Hair, makeup and costumes had to be tailored to meet the needs of both film and stage. This was done impressively. It was interesting to see a costume portrayed on screen appear on the stage as the movement of one scene led to another in smooth succession. Costume Designer Nancy Cannon did a fine job in creating designs which fit the feel of the production. Hair and makeup for stage and screen were designed by Estee Parker and Jyllian Petrie (film). There was an impressive consistency between the two mediums.
As we know, this is a tragedy. The many members of the two families that are lost parallel those who are tragically lost right here in our local area. I do hope that the director’s wish comes true and we look for real solutions to real problems that exist right within our midst. Let’s show the love and compassion to help those who need our understanding and assistance.
The Romeo and Juliet Project
UVU Noorda Theater
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