Baltimore Shakespeare Factory Presents ROMEO & JULIET, Beginning 4/6

The Baltimore Shakespeare Factory (BSF) is set to kick-off their 2013 Season of Magic and Mayhem with one of Shakespeare's most famous plays, Romeo and Juliet. The timeless story of star-crossed love torn apart by passion and vengeance will be presented on BSF's Elizabethan-style stage Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays throughout April.

Though it's more than 400 years old, Director Tom Delise (also Artistic Director for BSF), notes that this play still resonates in our world today. "Romeo and Juliet is more than a simple story of two young lovers. Many types of love fill the story - in addition to the young lovers there is the love of family, friends, and city - but the hatred (with cause unknown) that exists between the two families, ultimately overwhelms everyone. 'These violent delights have violent ends;' in a time when over 50 conflicts are currently being fought in the world, it seems to be a lesson that we still have not learned."

As with all productions, BSF will present Romeo and Juliet using the staging conditions that Shakespeare himself employed to produce his plays on England's Elizabethan stages of the 1590s. Productions use universal lighting, allowing the actors to see and interact with the audience. Just as Shakespeare's actors would have entertained audiences with the songs of the day, BSF actors perform modern music (thematically related to the show) prior to the show and during intermission. BSF also makes liberal use of cross-gender casting as a nod to the conventions of the Elizabethan stage-since women weren't allowed to perform in Shakespeare's time, all his female roles were originally played by boys. Productions regularly feature women playing the parts of men and men playing the parts of women.

Performance Details:
April 6 - April 27
Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 2:00pm
The Great Hall Theatre at St. Mary's
3900 Roland Avenue, Baltimore, 21211
Tickets are $20 for Adults and $15 for Students, Teachers and Seniors. Admission is free for children Grade 5 and below.
Tickets are available online at theshakespearefactory.com or by calling 410-921-WILL (9455).

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