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

Source: 

Marion Rossi, 541-737-2853

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