Orlando Shakespeare Theater Continues Free Reading Series 3/13

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF concludes its popular free reading series, Cross-Dress'd Shakespeare, with a reading of Romeo and Juliet on Sunday, March 13, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.

Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, one of the most enduring love stories of all time, tells the tale of two star-crossed lovers and their famously feuding families. As tensions between the Montagues and Capulets approach a deadly breaking point, the children of each house fall more and more deeply in love. Orlando Shakespeare Theater's age-reversed reading allows audiences to see this classic story from a new angle - the lovers will be 45 years old and up, and the parents will be 40 and below. Come see this classic romance through a pair of older eyes, with their children desperately trying to control them! What might we learn about the relationships between parents and children, how age changes our outlook on life, and the nature of love?

John Didonna, Co-Producing Artistic Director of the Empty Spaces Theatre Co(llaboration), directs a cast that includes Dennis Neal as Romeo and Robin Olson as Juliet, with Michael Edwards (Mercutio), Christopher Kiley (Friar Lawrence), Bob Lipka (Benvolio), Tom Nowicki (Tybalt), and Kristin Shirilla (Nurse).

"When looked at in the standard ages, Romeo and Juliet can seem impetuous in that first love - and that impetuous and impulsive nature - so inherent in their youth - leads to dire circumstances," said Director John Didonna. "In this version, however, it is not the beginning blush of first young love, but the longing and need for a final love. That makes it all the more real, and complex, and full of deep yearning as it is forbidden."

The Cross-Dress'd Reading Series is free and open to the public. Romeo and Juliet will take place in the Margeson Theater at the John & Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Theater (812 East Rollins) in Orlando's Loch Haven Cultural Park.

Romeo and Juliet Cast:
Prince Escalus - Mason D. Criswell
Paris - Mark Brotherton
Montague - Grant Jordan
Capulet - Ian Kramer
Romeo - Dennis Neal
Mercutio - Michael Edwards
Benvolio - Bob Lipka
Tybalt - Tom Nowicki
Friar Lawrence - Christopher Kiley
Balthasar - Skip Alderman
Peter/Friar John - Matt Wenge
Lady Montague/Apothecary - Pascha Weaver
Lady Capulet - Brooke M. Haney
Juliet - Robin Olson
Nurse - Kristin Shirilla

About Romeo And Juliet -
Age-reversed cast. The lovers will be 45 years old and up, and the parents will be 40 and below. The world's most enduring love story, see its star-crossed lovers through a pair of older eyes as they hurtle from their first glances to their last kiss.
WHEN: Sunday, March 13, 2011 at 7 p.m.
COST: Free! / Limited Seating Available

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