ActorsNET Presents Shakespeare's ROMEO AND JULIET

Star-crossed lovers' doomed romance explodes on the Heritage Center stage as ActorsNET ends its 22nd season with a lush staging of William Shakespeare's classic tragedy, Romeo and Juliet.

Performing at The Heritage Center Theatre in Morrisville weekends July 13 - 29, ActorsNET's Romeo and Juliet aims to deliver all the romance, visual splendor and exciting action of The Bard of Avon's tale about teenagers whose warring families oppose their love. George Hartpence and Carol Thompson of New Hope co-direct a cast of 24 in this faithful rendering of what is arguably one of the most famous love stories in all of literature.

In Verona, Italy during the Renaissance, two rival families of nobility - the Capulets and Montagues -- forbid their offspring to fraternize, much less mate. Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet court and marry in secret despite the decades-long feud which explodes into violence as the lovers' romance blossoms.

"Romeo and Juliet is one of the most ambitious productions we've staged," explains ActorsNET Artistic Director Cheryl Doyle. "Co-Director George Hartpence's gorgeous set design, upon which all the action and the iconic balcony scene will be recreated, was inspired by London's famed Globe Theatre set. Our cast is adorned in sumptuous garb culled from Scaramouche Costumes and our own extensive period costume collection. The exciting stage combat scenes have been painstakingly orchestrated by Fencing Master Mark Holbrow of the Bucks County Fencing Academy."

Nicholas Napoli and Kelly Colleran star as the title characters, alongside many ActorsNET veterans and new talent from throughout the area. Co-starring are Tom Stevenson and Kimberly Hess as the Montagues; David and Theresa Swartz as the Capulets; Lorie Baldwin as the Nurse; DJ Holcombe as Friar Laurence; Cat Miller as Mercutio; Matthew Duchnowski as Tybalt; Chris Capitolo as Benvolio and Tom Smith as Paris; C. Jameson Bradley as Prince Escalus and Mort Paterson as the Chorus are featured.

Also appearing (alphabetically) are James Cordingley, Carolyn Cuesta, Tim Faulkner, Keli Ganey, Matthew Newcomer, Marco Newton, Hans Peters, Kira Scharf, Joe Stockette and Joy Woffindin.

Romeo and Juliet performs Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. from July 13 - 29 at The Heritage Center Theatre, 635 North Delmorr Avenue (Route 32), Morrisville, PA. Tickets are $20 for adults, $17 for seniors (62+), $15 for WHYY members and students (high school or college) and $10 for children age 12 and younger. For reservations and information, phone 215-295-3694 or email actorsnet@aol.com.

Two additional outdoor encore performances on August 3 and 4 at Fonthill Castle in Doylestown. Mr. Hartpence and Ms. Thompson will portray the Capulets at these performances only. Showtimes are at 7 p.m. Location and registration information for the outdoor performances is available at https://www.mercermuseum.org/events/shakespeare-at-the-castle/.