Beavercreek Community Theatre Presents ROMEO AND BERNADETTE

Beavercreek Community Theatre is staging the story of Romeo but it's not the story that Shakespeare wrote and Romeo's love interest isn't Juliet but Bernadette.

"Romeo and Bernadette" is a musical farce based on Shakespeare's tragic love story of Romeo and Juliet but this comical love story was written by Mark Saltzmam, a native of Yonkers, New York, who earned seven Emmy awards as a script writer and songwriter for the "Sesame Street" television show.

Under the direction of John Falkenbach of Dayton, BCT will present "Romeo and Bernadette" at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. on Sundays from March 12 through March 21.

In this version of the story, Romeo, played by Jeremy King of Dayton, didn't die at the climax of "Romeo and Juliette" but instead slept straight through to 1960 thanks to a strong dose of sleeping potion.

Following his awakening, Romeo finds himself in Brooklyn surrounded by sassy dames, warring dons and some of the world's most recognizable Italian melodies.

In search of his beloved Juliet, Romeo becomes convinced he's found her in Bernadette, portrayed by Jeri Williams of Dayton.

The whole story is presented as a bit of a fable, told by a Brooklyn guy, played by Stephen Phillips of Beavercreek, after he takes his date, portrayed by Kimberly Hanze of Beavercreek, to see "Romeo and Juliet."

He cooks up the tale of the sleeping potion-induced sleep after his romantic plans seem dashed when his date becomes depressed over the death of Romeo.

The cast also includes Beavercreek residents Loren Bush, Ellie Larson, Terry Larson, Pat Phillips and Rick Haverland.

Rounding out the cast are Dayton residents Mark Diffenderfer and Dave King; Fairborn residents Carol Haverland, Rick Haverland and William Quinn; Ty Thompson of West Carrollton and Allie Hill of Riverside.

The music director is Judy Varner of Bellbrook, the stage manager is Lesa Gootee of Beavercreek and the producer is Diana Blowers of Beavercreek.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $11 for BCT members, students, and senior citizens.

A group discount of $1 per ticket is available to groups of 10 or more, when purchased at the same time for the same performance.

Tickets can be reserved by calling BCT at (937) 429-4737 and leaving a message or by e-mailing boxoffice@bctheatre.org. For more information, visit the theater's Web site at www.bctheatre.org where tickets can also be purchased online.

Beavercreek Community Theatre is located within the Lofino Adult Enrichment and Cultural Arts Center at 3868 Dayton-Xenia Road in Beavercreek.

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