Romeo & Juliet
(a joint project with the Berkeley Springs Thespian Troupe)

Directed by Tom & Beth Brooks

The Morgan Arts Council’s spring play once again calls on William Shakespeare, staging "Romeo and Juliet" with an exceptional cast of youth and adults. Opening at the Berkeley Springs High School auditorium on Friday, April 1 at 7:30pm for a two-weekend, nine performance run,“Romeo and Juliet" is a first-time collaboration between the Ice House Theater Project and the Berkeley Springs Thespians. Bloody swordfights and elegant dress balls keep the audience engaged in the action as the familiar story swirls through the intrigue and family feuds that dominate the lives of Romeo and Juliet, starcrossed young lovers from the rival Montague and Capulet families.

"This play struggles through a precarious collection of accidents to have a tragic ending," said Steve Vandevander, a cast member and fencing coach, of Shakespeare's most famous play. "It really was Shakespeare's first black comedy. We are emphasizing the comic aspects," he said. Vandevander praised the extraordinary comic gifts of Paul Truitt who plays Romeo's witty young friend Mercutio. Zak Ziler earns his laughs in the play through pratfalls as the hapless Potpan. Tim Brooks and Rex Barkdoll as bumbling yet well meaning servants and Sharon Carpenter-Rose as the garrulous, often vulgar nurse of Juliet add to the fun.

Vandevander also highlights the action side of the play. "There is lots of physicality and some of the kids have a real flair for it," he said as he examined more than a dozen swords lined up on a prop table. One of those actors with a flair for sword fighting is Orry Clark who shines as the fiery Tybalt. Clark predicts it is the irony and suspense that will grip the audience. And the language. "I love the language," said Clark "Its rhythm gives the dialogue life." Among other talented young people in dominant roles are theater veteran, Ashley Shade as Juliet and Joel Ziler as Romeo.

There are more adult cast members performing Shakespeare for the first time than students. Charles Balkan has three roles in "Romeo and Juliet" and freely admits that working on the play is filling a gap in his education. "This is my first experience," said Balkan. "I never studied Shakespeare. It's like learning a new language. Since it's been around for 500 years though, I figure it must have some value," Balkan jokes. Jim Ross, an Ice House Theater Project regular is also performing in his first Shakeseparean play. "It scared me," said the imposing Ross who plays the head of the Capulet family. "But the words just begin to fall into place at some point. Every night I understand better what I am saying." Most cast members agree that it is easier to see Shakespeare on stage than read his work by yourself.

Tom and Beth Brooks are back at the helm after their work in "Annie," directing Romeo and Juliet, their second effort with Shakespeare in Berkeley Springs. The duo also directed "A Midsummer Night's Dream" in 2003 at the Ice House, and have a passion for making the Bard come to life for both the cast members and hometown audiences.

Other MAC production favorites are seen on stage as well. Sharon Carpenter-Rose is hilarious as the garrulous, often vulgar nurse of Juliet. David Young offers a commanding performance as the Prince of Verona and Abbie Brown adds to her repertoire of characters as the shady Apothecary. Elizabethan musicians, headed up by Leslie Milbourne, will be performing period music before and during the show. Luscious costumes created by Marti Sikes, the recently named Costume Manager for the Morgan Arts Council and a visually rich, classic set with lifelike stone archways, Juliet's famous balcony and burial vault created by Brice Williams complete the high quality production support worthy of Romeo and Juliet.

The production will be held at the Connie Perry Community Auditorium at Berkeley Springs High School with opening night on Friday, April 1 at 7:30pm. Subsequent performance dates and times are: Saturday, April 2 and 9 at 1pm and 7:30 pm with post-show discussion following both afternoon performances; Sunday, April 3 and 10 at 3pm; Thursday, April 7 at 7pm and Friday, April 8 at 7:30pm.

To reserve a seat for any of nine performances call the Ice House Theater Hotline at 304-258-5021.