ROMEO & JULIET Checks in at the Hollywood American League 11/12-12/12

The Merry War Theatre Group's staging of William Shakesepeare's most famous tragedy promises to be one of the most innovative, ambitious, and entertaining to hit Los Angeles in years. A cast of just thirteen actors, two fight choreographers, and one beautiful theatre space will risk it all in this thrilling and imaginative rendering of The Tragedy of Romeo & Juliet. Featuring Benjamin Fitch, McKinley Belcher III, Evan Charest, Joseph Barone, Terra Shelman, Michael Prichard, Barbara Keegan, Jason Parsons, Phillip Kelly, Samantha Barrios, Laura Manchester, and Adam Burch and Chase McKenna as the star-crossed lovers. Romeo & Juliet opens at The Hollywood American Legion November 12th at 8PM and runs thru December 12th.

Director Chase McKenna has set the play in the upscale VERONA HOTEL & CASINO, a lavish retreat owned and operated by the Capulets while many Montagues fill the more blue-collar roles of bell hops and servers -- the tension is as thick as the cigar smoke at the high-stakes tables. "Romeo and Juliet is a classic story that's been reinvented countless times with different locations, time periods, and themes," states McKenna, "An idea came to me for a concept of the play that I'd never seen done before. I was intensely inspired and needed to pursue this project as soon as possible."

In this production, the world's most famous star-crossed lovers meet in the Verona Hotel & Casino, a setting replete with all the usual amenities -- luxurious rooms, chapel, high limit tables...and a tomb? See the flirting and fighting in this classic love story reinterpreted into an amazing new setting.

The abilities of the cast and crew are pushed to their limits in this ambitious project and the end result will be a deeply personal expression and therefore, hopefully, a special experience for the audience. It will be a fun, invigorating take on an old classic that people will remember for a long time.

Presented by The Merry War Theatre Group, William Shakepeare's Romeo & Juliet is directed by Chase McKenna, assistant direction by Phillip Kelly, with stage management by Michelle Roshanzamir, set design by Julienne Fielder, sound and lighting design by Alexa Anderson, fight choreography by Eric Anderson, assistant fight choreography by Jason Parsons, costume design by Sara Spink, featuring Benjamin Fitch, McKinley Belcher III, Evan Charest, Joseph Barone, Terra Shelman, Michael Prichard, Barbara Keegan, Jason Parsons, Phillip Kelly, Samantha Barrios, Laura Manchester, Adam Burch and Chase McKenna.

Formed in September 2010, The Merry War Theatre Group was founded by Chase McKenna and Phillip Kelly with the desire to bring inspired and impassioned productions, both classical and contemporary, to the stages of Los Angeles. Culling together the most talented of theatre artists, the goal is to circumvent The Common and grab hold of the stories and make the choices that thrill and excite audiences. Because theatre is an ever shifting art form, by navigating bold ideas, we hope to keep the joy of theatre alive within ourselves and share that experience with the audience by continuing to challenge ourselves as artists and people. The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet is the premiere production of The Merry War Theatre Group.

The Hollywood American Legion has been home to veterans since 1919. Hollywood Post 43 began as a Boxing Stadium, where the who's who of Hollywood could be found. Now it lives as one of the leading community centers and museums of war relics of soldiers who fought bravely overseas. Once a year it provides its space for theatrical presentations, allowing its remarkable and inspired interiors to give an environmental slant to some of the most creative live productions in Hollywood.

Tickets are $25. See www.merrywar-theatregroup.com for details.

The Hollywood American Legion is located at 2035 N Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90068. Parking is $5, cash only.

For information, the public should visit www.merrywar-theatregroup.com.

DETAILS FOR CALENDAR LISTINGS
Romeo & Juliet

WHAT:
The Merry War Theatre Group proudly present Romeo & Juliet, the most high-stakes love story
ever written, set at The Verona Hotel and Casino.

WHO:
Written by William Shakespeare
Directed by Chase McKenna
Scenic Design by Julienne Fielder
Sound Design by Alexa Anderson
Lighting Design by Alexa Anderson
Costume Design by Sara Spink
Featuring Benjamin Fitch, McKinley Belcher III, Evan Charest, Joseph Barone, Terra
Shelman, Michael Prichard, Barbara Keegan, Jason Parsons, Phillip Kelly, Samantha
Barrios, Laura Manchester, Adam Burch and Chase McKenna
Produced by Chase McKenna
Presented by The Merry War Theatre Group at The Hollywood American Legion

WHEN:
November 12th to December 12th
Fridays at 8 pm: November 12th, 19th, 26th, December 3rd, 10th
Saturdays at 8 pm: November 13th, 20th, 27th, December 4th, 11th
Sundays at 8 pm: November 14th, 21st, 28th, December 5th, 12th

WHERE:
The Hollywood American Legion
2035 N Highland Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90068

HOW:
Visit www.merrywar-theatregroup.com

TICKETS:
Tickets are $25. See www.merrywar-theatregroup.com for details.

EVENTS:
There is a bar on the premises of The Hollywood American Legion which will open at 6PM every
night prior to the performance.