Firebird's Mixed-Age 'Romeo + Juliet' Opens this Friday!

Young director and founder of teen-run Firebird Youth Theater, Leo Lion, says that ROMEO + JULIET strives to poise the classic in a new light.

Romeo and Juliet is the most famous love story of all time - but who is it really about? Firebird's answer is: "It's about teenagers." Grounding their production in the evocative themes of youth and growth, FYT is pulling age to the foreground with a mixed-age cast of adults and teens. This intergenerational, present-day take on the Elizabethan classic is tailored to resonate with modern teenagers and make the trials of the play's young heroes hit close to home for the new generation.

This age-centric production is fraught with significance for the award-winning Firebird Youth Theater, which is run entirely by teenagers. ROMEO + JULIET will be the company's fifth annual production, following last year's world-premiere of a new adaptation of the literary classic Treasure Island. Firebird's past two shows both received National Youth Arts awards for Direction and Ensemble. This year's production is FYT's first to feature adult actors. 17-year-old director Leo Lion says, "Romeo and Juliet is usually performed either with adults or with youth actors, never with both. Putting the true number of years between these children and their parents gives the story new life. We're a teen-run company committed to creating adult-grade work - who is better suited to tell this story?"

Visit www.thefirebirdproject.org for show info and more.

Dates & Times: Evenings: June 16th - 18th, at 7:00pm Matinees: June 17th - 18th, at 1:00pm

Place: Hudson Guild Theatre in NYC - 441 West 26 St. (between 9th and 10th Avenues).

Ticket Information: www.thefirebirdproject.org

$20 General Admission

$10 School Groups (10 or more students)

Approximate run time: 105 minutes with one 15-minute intermission

Age Advisory: Kids 10+ to adult

Media and Outreach Contact: firebird.stage@gmail.com / 718-915-3925