CORVALLIS - William Shakespeare's best known and perhaps most beloved play will come to life this April at Oregon State University when OSU's University Theatre presents the classic, "Romeo and Juliet."
Performances will run April 2-4 and April 9-11 at the Withycombe Hall Theater, 30th and Campus Way. Curtain time for each performance is 7:30 p.m.
This tale of star-crossed young lovers has been produced numerous times - both on stage and on screen - and for good reason. "Romeo and Juliet" is not only a story about love, it shows us the darker side of humans, where love may spark lies, hatred, mayhem and even murder.
"Shakespeare's genius stems, in part, from his ability to capture the mercurial and often duplicitous nature of love and loving," said director Marion O. Rossi. "While primarily a play about love, 'Romeo and Juliet' also explores other powerful ideas: the nature of community and civic duty, the role of fate in our daily lives, the clashes between reason and emotion, and the loyalty of family."
The story of "Romeo and Juliet" is, of course, well known. Young lovers from opposing families locked in an ongoing feud risk everything they have to be together. Driven by their powerful passions, they fall victim to both fate and the animosities of their warring families. Yet their deaths do not come without redemption, as the torn community heals and the two families reconcile.
Timm McLagan, an OSU junior from Corvallis majoring in liberal studies, has the lead role of Romeo, sharing the stage with Sarah Ericksen, a senior in theater arts from The Dalles, who portrays Juliet. Jen Waters, a sophomore in theater from Corvallis, plays the nurse; Dan Fisher, a junior in forestry from Antelope, Calif., portrays Friar Laurence; and Craig Marianno, a Ph.D. students in physics from Fairfield, Calif., is Mercutio.
Rossi, who is on the faculty of OSU's University Theatre, is directing the play. The set and lighting are designed by associate professor Richard George; costume design is by Elizabeth Holthofer, a master's degree candidate at OSU.
Tickets for "Romeo and Juliet" go on sale March 30 and may be reserved by calling 541-737-2784. Tickets are priced at $7 for general admission, $5 for seniors, and $4 for students. Reserved tickets must be picked up by 7 p.m. the night of the performance. The performance on Friday, April 10, will be sign-interpreted for the hearing impaired and have narrative description for the visually impaired.
THE CAST OF ROMEO AND JULIET
BEAVERTON
Todd Booth, a junior in fine arts, ensemble
CENTRAL POINT
Stephen Shroy, a freshman in pharmacy, ensemble
CORVALLIS
Erik Hundtoft, a senior in music, as Capulet; Rick Leubbers, a junior in English, as Tybalt; Ray Lischner, a Corvallis resident, ensemble; Stephen Massott, a post-baccalaureate student in theater, as Escaulus; Timm McLagan, a junior in liberal studies, as Romeo; Evan Mix, a freshman from Crescent Valley High School, ensemble; Jared Pieterick, a freshman from Crescent Valley High School, ensemble; Peggy Ringle, a sophomore in theater and French, as Lady Montague; Daniel Ungier, a sophomore from Crescent Valley High School, ensemble; Jen Waters, a sophomore in theater, as the nurse
KLAMATH FALLS
Tori Ehlers, a freshman in political science and communication, ensemble
PORTLAND
Oliva Crocker (zip code: 97217), a sophomore in veterinary medicine, ensemble; C.J. Hill (97206), a freshman in biology, ensemble; Jeff Weston (97236), a senior in theater and computer science, ensemble.
SELMA
Adam Goodrich, a junior in theater, as Montague
THE DALLES
Sarah Ericksen, a senior in theater arts, as Juliet
WEST LINN
Rob Johnson, a freshman in mechanical engineering, ensemble
CALIFORNIA
ANTELOPE
Dan Fisher, a junior in forest recreation, as Friar Laurence
EUREKA
Julia Landa, a senior in theater, stage manager
FAIRFIELD
Craig Marianno, a Ph.D. candidate in physics, as Mercutio
ILLINOIS
<> FRANKFORT
Jill Lombaer, a senior in math, as Lady Capulet
TENNESSEE
KNOXVILLE
Alexander Johnson, a freshman in economics, as Paris
WASHINGTON
MILL CREEK
Dave Radford, a junior in political science, as Benvolio
WISCONSIN
BRISTOL
Jen Backstrand, a junior in theater arts, ensemble
Marion Rossi, 541-737-2853
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