"Romeo and Juliet Redefined" The Musical

Gulfshore Playhouse presents an original musical version of Romeo and Juliet!

Gulfshore Playhouse is proud to announce its second full-scale production, Romeo and Juliet Redefined to be held at the Cambier Park Bandshell, April 19-21, 2007, at 8pm.  Ticket prices are $40 for general admission, $20 for students, and $100 for a VIP ticket which includes priority seating and a cast party cocktail at the von Liebig Art Center after the show.

A twist on Shakespeare in the Park, Kristen Coury, Gulfshore Playhouse Founder and Producing Artistic Director has conceived a reduced version of Shakespeare's classic of two star-crossed lovers, with a smattering of opera, ballet, modern dance, Broadway showtunes, and original music thrown in.  "I wanted to create something that was more accessible than just straight Shakespeare," Coury states.  This allows the spectator to see a classic on stage for perhaps the first time, but in a way that is engaging, enjoyable for all ages, and will leave them humming on the way out of the theatre."  Although this original piece is a Gulfshore Playhouse production, with Coury directing, support has been provided by local arts groups as well.  Opera Naples, headed by Steffanie Pearce has provided soprano Mary Ellen Assue from their April 22^nd production to sing an aria from the Gounod opera Romeo et Juliette, and Gulfshore Ballet artistic and executive directors Melinda Roy and Roberto Munoz are going to be choreographing two pas de deux from the Prokofiev ballet.

The script follows the arc of the story of Romeo and Juliet with all the extraneous characters removed, and a song or a dance added at appropriate moments.  It is a sort of Romeo and Juliet, the musical.  Friar Laurence, for example, is also a narrator, and additional connective narration has been penned by local award-winning author Janina Birtolo.

Coury adds, "Gulfshore Playhouse is so committed to educational opportunities that we are donating 60 tickets to area students to attend a performance, as well as offering intern opportunities to several students as well.  This will be a great opportunity for students to tie their curricula into an accessible, enjoyable evening of culture, stimulation, education and entertainment."

Coury has hired 5 actors from New York, including Chris Peluso (from Broadway's "Wicked," "Assassins" and "Lestat") as Romeo and Tamara Flannagan (known to local audiences for her star turn in "Syringa Tree") as Lady Capulet.  Gulfshore Playhouse is proud to introduce Southwest Florida's own Alexandrea Tocco, as Juliet.  "I was delighted to have the opportunity to be a judge for the Young Artist Awards last year, where I heard 16 year-old Alexandrea sing for the first time," Coury said. "She is an extraordinary talent and is going to bring an enormous amount to our show, and the role of "singing Juliet."  I'm delighted to be able to introduce her to local audiences in this way because I am sure she will be on Broadway soon!"

Romeo and Juliet Redefined

April 19, 20, and 21 at 8pm at the Cambier Park Bandshell. 

VIP cocktail to follow at the von Liebig Art Center. 

General admission:  $40, students $20 and VIP tickets $100 

For tickets, call the Norris center at 239-213-3058   www.gulfshoreplayhouse.org

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