DCTC's Stage Theatre Presents ROMEO & JULIET, Now thru 2/24

The classic tale of two young lovers and feuding families, William Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet comes to the Denver Center Theatre Company's (DCTC) Stage Theatre tonight, January 25 - February 24. Tickets may be purchased now, by calling 303.893.4100 or visiting www.denvercenter.org.

Romeo meets Juliet at a masked ball, love sparks, swept along by flights of poetry and ecstatic romance. But the young lovers fall victim to their feuding families. Exuberant and tragic, this timeless love story still packs a huge emotional wallop. Although traditional in costume and time period, this production of Romeo & Juliet will be staged in a contemporary fashion.

The cast of Romeo & Juliet includes both new and returning actors. Playing the role of Romeo is Charles Pasternak (The Three Musketeers) and Lenne Klingaman (debut) is Juliet. The House of Capulet includes John G. Preston (The Taming of the Shrew, Pierre, After Ashley) as Capulet, Kathleen McCall (When We Are Married, Heartbreak House, The Taming of the Shrew) as Lady Capulet, Matthew Simpson (debut) as Tybalt, Jeanne Paulsen (When We Are Married, The Three Musketeers, Superior Donuts) as Nurse, Matt Zambrano (The Liar, The Taming of the Shrew, A Christmas Carol) as Peter and Leigh Nichols Miller (A Midsummer Night's Dream, Richard III, The Miracle Worker) as Sampson. The House of Montague includes Mike Hartman (14 seasons/Irving Berlin's White Christmas, World Premiere Great Wall Story, The Taming of the Shrew) as Montague and Friar John, Tracy Shaffer (When We Are Married, Two Things You Don't Talk About At Dinner, New Play Summit 2011) as Lady Montague, Mark Christine (debut) as Benvolio, Anthony Bianco (When We Are Married, The Three Musketeers, World Premiere Two Things You Don't Talk About At Dinner) as Balthazar and Benaiah Anderson (The Three Musketeers, Richard III) as Gregory and Page to Paris.

Philip Pleasants (The Giver, Heartbreak House, The Taming of the Shrew) plays the roles of Prince Escalus and Apothecary, J. Todd Adams (debut) is Mercutio, Geoffrey Kent (The Three Musketeers, Othello, Eventide) is Paris and Sam Gregory (39 productions/When We Are Married, The Three Musketeers, Heartbreak House) is Friar Laurence.

Sam Wentworth who has directed at Shakespeare Santa Cruz, Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey and Indiana Repertory Theatre makes his DCTC debut as director of Romeo & Juliet. Set designer Michael Ganio (Henry IV, Part 1 and Part 2, Tartuffe, Lifelines) creates a minimalistic and Contemporary Stage, using light Oakwood materials that are complemented by elegant detailed furnishing and candelabras. The set will boast the traditional Elizabethan period costumes designed by Christina Poddubiuk (debut), known as one of the best Shakespearean costumers in the country. Lighting design is by Peter West (debut) while sound design is by Craig Breitenbach (Irving Berlin's White Christmas, The Three Musketeers, Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash). Musical composition is by Rodolfo Ortega (The Three Musketeers). Kathryn G. Maes Ph.D (When We Are Married, Fences, The Three Musketeers, Heartbreak House) is both dramaturg and voice and text coach. Fight direction is by Geoffrey Kent (Othello, Eventide, Richard III) who is charged with creating duels and sword fights that are authentic to the time while Robert Davidson (Midsummer Night's Dream, The Taming of the Shrew, The Tempest) works with the actors on choreography.

About the Playwright: William Shakespeare was born in late April 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon. As a young actor, poet and playwright, he joined The Lord Chamberlain's Men, one of the most successful acting troupes in London. In 1599, the troupe lost the lease of the theatre where it performed and built its own theatre across the Thames, south of London, which it called The Globe. The new theatre opened in July of 1599 built from the timbers of the old theatre. In 1603, when James I came to the throne, the new king designated the troupe as the King's Company. Shakespeare entertained the people of London at The Globe until June 19, 1613, when a canon fired from the roof of the theatre during a performance of Henry VIII set the thatch roof on fire and burned the theatre to the ground. Shakespeare retired from the stage but continued to write until his death in 1616 on his 52nd birthday. To this day, Shakespeare is the most widely admired and well-known poet and playwright in English literature.

Single tickets for Romeo & Juliet, on sale now, start at $48 (non-SCFD) and also are available for $10 (SCFD 10 for $10 program) and are on sale now. To purchase, call Denver Center Ticket Services at 303.893.4100. For groups of 10 or more, call 303.446.4829. TTY (for Deaf and hard-of-hearing patrons): 303.893.9582. Tickets also may be purchased at the Denver Center Ticket Office, located in the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex lobby. Buy and print online at www.denvercenter.org.

Student rush $10 tickets are available one hour prior to curtain with a valid student ID subject to availability. Senior and military rush tickets are available one hour prior to curtain, subject to availability. No children under six will be admitted to any theatre. Visit the website at www.denvercenter.org.

Special Events for Romeo & Juliet

Perspectives on the Play | Jan 25 at 6pm
The DCTC's creative team provides the audience a unique perspective on the production. In the Jones Theatre.

Student Night | Jan 25, 7:30
Students purchase $10 tickets ahead of time on-line, in person or over the phone for these designated student nights (promo code 2013STUDENT, valid student ID required).

General Talkbacks | Feb 10, post-show
Join us for a discussion with the actors from the show

Talkback hosted by the Higher Education Advisory Council | Feb 17, post-show
Join the cast for a discussion led by members of our academic community.

Theatre & Theology | Feb 19, post-show
In a continued partnership with Pastor Dan Bollman of the Rocky Mountain Evangelical Lutheran Synod, this discussion examines the relevant connections to the productions through the theological lens.

Fourth Wall | Feb 23 at 5:30pm
Join other 20 and 30-somethings at Fourth Wall, which includes tickets to the play and pre- and post-show parties that expand the theatrical world. The event includes a light dinner, a ticket to the show and a drink at the after-party. For more information, visit www.denvercenter.org/fourthwall.

ASL Interpretation/Audio Described Performance | Feb 24, 1:30pm

For more information on these special events, visit http://www.denvercenter.org/education/EducationResources.aspx

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