THEATRE REVIEW
Star-crossed in Herndon
By Michael Birchenall
Weekender Theater Critic
Weekender, The Herndon Times
Times Community Newspapers (Link
to Article)
Wednesday, August 7, 2002
-
Photo courtesy of Rich Klare
FORBIDDEN LOVE: Romeo (Jordan Richardson) and Juliet (Kelly Newman) exchange
sweet nothings as they grapple with the temptation of young love in the
Elden Street Players' production of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet."
William Shakespeare lives on. In a day when language has evolved into
sound bites--clever phrases with modern shallowness--the blank verse of
Shakespeare forces the audience to listen. That is, to listen to the words,
sense the moments of emphasis, feel the breathing of the actors and to process
its meaning in the greatest computer of all--the brain.
Elden Street Players' current production of Romeo and Juliet explores love
and its consequences in a splendidly eloquent production in the Industrial
Strength Theatre's black box.
Director Scott Bailey has accepted the challenge of the 16th century bard's
story of rival families and how two young lovers from each find and lose love.
Most audiences know the story, are familiar with the often quoted soliloquies
and understand they should appreciate the work of the genius of theater. But to
appreciate the richness of the work and its beauty requires great work on the
part of the actors--to break from the confines of modern acting and to let the
words do their magic.
Bailey, as the director, has a sense of this responsibility and guides with
skill the more talented members of the ensemble through the play presented here
in two acts.
One must forget the first 20 minutes, where the words setting the story's
foundation are somewhat lost in the less experienced actors' less confident
delivery, lest you become frustrated and unsure of the play's path. It is when
Mercutio, as played by an exuberant Joshua Redford, bursts upon the scene that
the Shakespeare flows freely with its rhythmic imagery. Redford can give us his
character without concentrating on the words and how to deliver them--he speaks
his part with gusto.
Now the play is in motion as Susan Watkins Talbott surrounds herself and the
audience with her portrayal of Lady Capulet. When she talks to Juliet (Kelly
Newman), the sense of mother and daughter is real--the language works. Andrea
Kojan is superb as the nurse--bawdy and easy to relate to while following the
love of Romeo and Juliet.
Jack Seeley ably plays the Friar Laurence, who counsels and marries the young
lovers. His early moments are relaxed and right on with phrasing and confidence,
though he seems to tire in the last scenes and loses some of the speaking
clarity. Joe Richardson surprises with a strong second act with his vibrant
portrayal of Lord Capulet, father of Juliet.
Jordan Richardson's Romeo is convincing and believable. Richardson responds
to the strong actors around him and gathers his own momentum and interpretation
as the play moves along.
It is the beguiling Newman as Juliet that carries us along this tale of love
that was never meant to be. She casts a beautiful glow over the stage that beams
with an energy that releases the Shakespeare magic. She does not succumb to the
temptation of overacting that some cannot resist with Shakespeare. Rather, she
takes the more natural path and lets the emotion come from the words in the
verse. Newman's less-indulgent acting skill is refreshing and gives us a
fabulous Juliet.
One cannot watch Elden Street's Romeo and Juliet and not be amazed by the
costuming, although oddly, the costumier is listed in the playbill as part of
the production staff, but there is no accompanying mention for Val Nelson. There
is no costume designer, so the inspiration may have been a collaborative effort,
but certainly would not have made it to the stage without a stellar effort of
great proportions for the obviously talented Nelson.
"Romeo and Juliet"
Elden Street Players
Perform: The Industrial Strength Theatre, 269 Sunset Business Park, Herndon
Web site: http://www.eldenstreetplayers.org
Performances: August 9, 10, 11(E), 16, 17, 18(E), 23, 24
Curtain: 8 p.m., 7 p.m. (Sundays)
Tickets: Play, $12(A), $10(SC,S)
Information / Reservations: 703-481-5930
ŠArcom Publishing Inc. - Times Community Newspapers 2002
