Classic Stage Company Presents The Young Company's "Romeo & Juliet" Feb. 23 - Mar. 6

Classic Stage Company, under the leadership of Brian Kulick, Artistic Director and Jessica R. Jenen, Executive Director, will present the fourth year of its popular YOUNG COMPANY, which creates classical works specially tailored for young audiences. This season's production will focus on Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet, and will run from February 23 through March 6 at Classic Stage Company (136 East 13th Street). Columbia M.F.A. student actors will be featured in Shakespeare's most romantic play, in this thrilling interpretation ideal for all ages 12 and up. Directed by Tony Speciale, Romeo & Juliet will be presented in a 90 minute abridged version specifically geared toward student and family audiences. Tickets are $25, and $15 for Students/Seniors. Each child under 12 gets in free with one adult ticket.

In tandem with the productions, Classic Stage Company continues their exciting educational outreach program, focused on the development of young actors and young audiences in New York City. Student actors of THE YOUNG COMPANY will be functioning as teaching artists in a series of workshops on Shakespeare in NYC public schools throughout the five boroughs, culminating in the students' attendance at special student matinees of Romeo & Juliet. The overall goal of the program is for young artists to inspire young audiences.

Classic Stage Company is the award-winning Off-Broadway theatre committed to re-imagining the classical repertory for a contemporary American audience. CSC presents plays from the past that speak directly to the issues of today. As we return to works of the past, we endeavor to keep a clear eye on the future, particularly in terms of the next generation of artists and audiences. Classic Stage's artists are the best-established and emerging theater practitioners working in this country. Highly respected and widely regarded as a major force in New York and American theater, Classic Stage has been cited repeatedly by all the major Off-Broadway theater awards: Obies, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Drama League and 1999 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Body of Work. CSC's new production of Chekhov's Uncle Vanya is currently in previews, starring Maggie Gyllenhaal, Denis O'Hare and Peter Sarsgaard.

Romeo and Juliet is a wild celebration of youthful rebellion set against a backdrop of a violent and unstable world, not unlike our own. This is a Verona where surveillance cameras capture your every move and even your most exquisitely private moments become public domain. Romeo and Juliet is a tragic romance plucked from the jaws of a comedy that moves like a blazing meteor towards the inevitable destiny of its two star-crossed teenagers.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE: Feb 23: 10a, 8p, Feb 24: 1:30p, Feb 25: 1:30p. Feb 26: 10a & 1:30p, Feb 27: 10a & 1:30p, March 1: 8p, March 2: 8p, March 3: 1:30p, March 4: 10a & 1:30p, March 5: 1:30p and March 6: 1:30p.

Tickets for performances of THE YOUNG COMPANY: ROMEO & JULIET are on sale now. For tickets please go to www.classicstage.org, call 212-352-3101, or toll free at 866-811-4111, or visit the theatre in person at 136 East 13th Street, between 3rd & 4th Avenue. Box office hours: Monday-Friday 12am-6pm.