8/13/2007 6:33:00 PM Young actors bring talent to Shakespeare's tragedy
Friar Laurence (Jack O'Connor) performs the secret wedding of Romeo (Ben Rezendes) and Juliet (Torrey Berkson). – Photo by Kathie Meye
Juliet (Torrey Berkson) wonders wherefore art Romeo in this year’s Shakespeare in the Park production, “Romeo and Juliet,” written by William Shakespeare and directed by Lawrason Driscoll. – Photo by Kathie Meyer
We know the story. Love at first sight, a secret wedding, a faked death, an undelivered message, and finally -- two suicides. The end.
There are no plot surprises, of course, with this year's Key City Players' Shakespeare in the Park production, "Romeo and Juliet" directed by Lawrason Driscoll. There rarely are with the Bard's plays written in the 1500s. The "surprise" -- if that's what one might want to call it, for it's no big surprise at all, really -- of this production is the amassing of local youthful talent brought together to bring this story to the Chetzemoka Park stage.
Young but professional
Of the cast of 30, 23 members are younger than 30 years, yet this is no children's play. Each and every one of them, with parts both big and small, brought a professional countenance to their onstage presence that belied their age. No surprise there either.
For the most part, these kids have been working at their craft in local theater for some years now. This is, for instance, Liz Dennison's third year in a row appearing in the annual outdoor production.
Ben Rezendes is a nicely matched Romeo to Torrey Berkson's Juliet. The two of them reflect well off of each other throughout the course of the play, but they save their best acting chops for the final death scene.
Alex Lovett as Mercutio brings a special verve to his part, as he has in past Port Townsend High School productions. The fight scene, choreographed by Erik Van Beuzekom, is carried out masterfully by Lovett and Stephen Plachta as Tybalt, giving the production a special effect that no amount of modern technology can or will do for theater.
Also notable is singer Alanna Dailey, who brings her sweet voice to the Sting song "Fields of Gold" during Romeo and Juliet's secret wedding. To see Anna Smith back on the local stage after a year of college at Adelphi University in New York is a real treat.
As for the older generation, Pamela Deckett is outstanding as the nurse and Jack O'Connor a natural for his role as Friar Laurence. Peter Brinch, Ann Swallow, Art Reitsch and Patricia Earnest play their background roles well as the parents Montague and Capulet.
Beautiful setting
Few stage settings can beat Chetzemoka Park for its beauty, and set designer Ian Keith and set artist Michelle Stay have made better use of the park's corner spot than ever before. Most enchanting is Friar Laurence's hut, complete with dried flower adornment.
Kudos to those who played a backstage part in constructing and painting the set -- Len Enders, Robbie Metzger, Jan North, Ben Rezendes, Steve Arbuckle, Jean Harrington, Thaddeus Jurzcinski, John Liczwinko, Jennifer Nielsen, Caitlin Rich and Deborah Weise -- in between periods of uncooperative weather. Ginger McNew's costumes complete the medieval visuals, most particularly the delicate, chaste nightgown worn by Juliet for the balcony scene.
Last weekend
This is the last weekend for this traditional outdoor production. To sit in the front row and catch all of the action up close, bring a blanket to sit upon and get in line early. Dress warmly, as the sun goes down during the performance. Picnic fare is welcome, and light refreshments are available at the concession stand, with proceeds supporting Key City Players' scholarship fund.
Jefferson Transit makes extra stops on its downtown shuttle ($1.25 all-day fare) for Shakespeare in the Park, with the buses stopping at the Haines Place Park-and-Ride, the ferry terminal and Chetzemoka Park between 5 and 8 p.m.
For those with limited mobility, Discovery Bay Golf Club provides golf-cart transport from the park entrance at Jackson and Blaine streets down the hill to the performance venue. Sound amplification is provided.
Performances are Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 6 p.m. Seating begins at 5:30 p.m. No advance tickets or reservations are needed; suggested donation is $12. For further information, call 385-7396 or visit www.keycityplayers.org.
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