ROMEO AND JULIET

The epic beauty and timeless heartbreak of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is exemplified by the stunning costumes and strong performances in Shakespeare By the Sea’s current production in San Pedro.

The aging band shell at the well-known Point Fermin Park on the water in San Pedro has once again played host to the initial performances of Shakespeare by the Sea’s new season. It is a venue that is low on charm and often chilly, but experienced audience members prepare well to brave both the cold weather and limited bleacher-like seating in order to view this year’s well-conceived and deftly-executed romantic tragedy, Romeo and Juliet.
Upon arriving at the park, its sprawling landscape on the ocean may seem an unlikely fit for a play such as Romeo and Juliet. However, as the crowd gathers and the set takes shape before your eyes, it becomes clear that this venue has seen this many times before. The cast and crew work diligently to piece together the towering set, which although somewhat oddly configured, proves to suit well this difficult drama. The sound and lights are effective, though sitting directly under a speaker proved to be a mistake and the nippy breeze off the ocean make a warm coat and a blanket a necessity to say the least. However, this location is only one of many that this production is slated to visit during their multicity tour of the Southland. The vigor, pace and beauty of this production makes it worth a visit whenever the schedule brings them to a park near you.

The story of Romeo and Juliet is so well-known that it has become diluted and, even worse, cliché to modern audiences. However, the intricacy and depth of both language and story in this classic work is, without a doubt, inspiring and never fails to impress. Two young lovers, Romeo (Cylan Brown) and Juliet (Barbara Jean Urich), are kept apart by circumstances be yond their control. Spurred by passion, jealousy, and youthful miscalculation, they are ultimately done in by the time constraints and boundaries set for them by societal regulations and family expectations. Adding accelerant to the blazing fire of star-crossed love are the actions of the explosive Tybalt (Garret Replogle) and the mischievous Mercutio (Patrick Vest), each set on furthering the conflict that exists between their families. It is a tale that has been told perhaps more times than any other, and this production shows why it is still relevant today.

The acting is superlative for the most part, with its strength laying with the overall accomplishment of the cast as a whole. Brown is impassioned and devoted to his role as the head over heels boy next door. Urich lights up the stage, even across the expansive crowd some 400 people deep. Vest and Replogle are both more than able in their roles and draw the audience in through their conflict. The youthfulness that is written into the script is absent, but the quality of performers in most of the roles makes up for that and then some. Additional talent is well placed in supporting roles with well-delivered contributions being made by Ben Hackney, David Graham, Casey Kooyman,  and Josh Aguilar, among others. The direction by Stephanie Coltrin is complete and most skillful in weaving a story that is filled with import and emotion. The musical score adds enormity and depth, as do the extraordinary costumes and effective technical elements.

This is, without a doubt, a "Shakespeare in the Park" experience. Actors can be seen well before they enter the scene and audience members attend with a wide variance of attention levels. Fully costumed actors sell raffle tickets before the show and at intermission, and the inevitable pre-show speech requesting financial support takes something away from the overall artistic validity. However, the fact that these productions are presented free of charge to audiences without a doubt overshadows the measures needed to keep the company afloat. Touring a show of this magnitude cannot be an easy task and accolades should be heaped upon those who can do it with both artistic success and financial viability. Romeo and Juliet is as grand as it is gorgeous and delivers a more than gratifying night of theatre in the open air.

Shakespeare by the Sea’s Romeo and Juliet tours Southern California cities through Aug. 10, 2012. http://www.shakespearebythesea.org/index.php