BWW Reviews: Michigan Shakespeare Festival's ROMEO & JULIET

Romeo & Juliet is often considered to be the quintessential love story; a young boy and girl experience love at first sight, a true and eternal love that lasts even after their untimely deaths.

Produced by the Michigan Shakespeare Festival and Directed by MSF's new Artistic Director, Janice L. Blixt, love is the theme of this Shakespearean classic, but not solely the idealistic romantic love enacted by our star-crossed title characters. Deeper relationships are explored and love in many forms, from volatile Capulet hurting the one he holds most dear, to the defense of a friend at the cost of one‘s own life, to the bumbling affections of a nurse for her ward, can be seen in the interactions of all involved in Verona's ancient feud.

Our Romeo and Juliet, Wesley Scott and Amanda Reader, are believable and tender. Each kiss is electric, and as their love grows, so does the danger at hand, until the fear of being discovered together on a moonlit balcony seems like a fleeting fancy.

Particular actors to watch are Will Clinger, captivating as the ever-evolving Capulet, and newcomer Daniel Mozurkewich, who brings an unexpected and fascinating vulnerability to the role of Balthazar. However, if there was one truly standout performance of the evening, it was a remarkably complex Mercutio, played by the immensely talented Scott Stangland. Passionate, unpredictable, and perhaps even a bit insane, Romeo's best friend may utter one last pun before he falls "Ask for me tomorrow, and you shall find me a grave man", but you also know that he means it, when he cries out "A plague on both your houses."

Excellent staging and the utilization of the entire theatre for their performance gives every audience member a front row seat, making them feel truly inside the story, and each flash of a sword leaves you on the edge of that seat. In addition, the production is so well-acted, even those who regularly have difficulty understanding the antiquated language present in Shakespeare will have no problems following along and finding both the humor, and the deeper meanings in the story. When the end that everyone dreads and anticipates arrives, an awed silence falls over the theatre, silent as the Capulets‘ tomb. Bring your tissues.

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Remaining 7:30 p.m. performances include July 24 and 30 and Aug. 7 and 8; a 2 p.m. matinee performance will take place July 31.

Michael Baughman Theatre is located in the Potter Center at Jackson Community College, 2111 Emmons Road in Jackson, Michigan.

For more information, call (517) 998-3673 or visit www.michiganshakespearefestival.com.

 

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