AISLE SAY Florida
ROMEO AND JULIET
Abridged & Adapted
by Dmitry Troyanovsky & Lauryn Sasso from William Shakespeare
Directed by Dmitry Troyanovsky
Acted by a Capulet Team of FSU/Asolo Conservatory Students
Cook Theatre, Sarasota, on Oct. 3, 2013, Premiere
Touring Schools and NonProfit Venues through Nov. 11
Reviewed by Marie J. Kilker
As one of two teams on The New Stages Tour
of schools and non-profit venues, a Capulet Team of seven FSU/Asolo
Conservatory final-year student actors present a 45-minute adaptation
of
ShakespeareÕs romantic tragedy. Scenery and props are at a minimum
though sound
is used effectively, especially as a bridge between scenes. Despite
cutting of characters as well as text, along with doubling to
quadrupling of roles (except
for the leads), ShakespeareÕs theme of star-crossed lovers comes
through. This version begins in confrontation with young Capulet and Montague
family guys threatening each other from their perches on the backs of chairs, action
initially keeps up emphasis on violence much like that among gangs today. Ben WilliamsonÕs Romeo fits in, though
less than Reginald RobinsonÕs Mercutio (who speaks what little verse the
adaptation allows with as much verve as answering TybaltÕs bullying and
threats). Brian Nemerov is frightening as Tybalt, a role heÕs much better
suited to than, later, the Nurse. (The only differences in the latter portrayal
are
that heÕs without a headband and with crooked posture and smile.) His
family head here is not Lord but Lady Capulet (a strong, commanding Amanda Lynn
Mullen).
When Romeo meets Juliet at a dance that has to be
imagined, their
love story begins
to dominate. It takes over immediately after the death of Mercutio and is most
like the original text in the loversÕ balcony meeting and their first
night-into-morning.
Both
Williamson and the pretty Kristen Lynne Blossom handle their poetry well and
act as if truly in love. Her taking-poison scene works without being overly
emotive as so often is the case. Tori Grace Hines is credible as the males
Benvolio and Friar Laurence, as is Robinson as Montague and Apothecary.
Overall, though the play is dumbed down
to a teen-movie type of love story, it should be of interest to the students
who are its main intended audience. To get more out of it, they will have to
rely on their teachers, popular movies, ShakespeareÕs text, and maybe a full
stage production of the latter elsewhere.
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