KINGSTON, R.I. — November 8, 2005 — The University of Rhode Island’s Theatre Department will present Romeo and Juliet in December.
Shakespeare’s most popular play still proves that love can triumph over death and hate. The play offers a blood feud as old as time. Rival gangs fight to the death in the streets and sewers of decayed, lawless Verona. However, true love manages to sprout between the cracks of violence and corruption.
Peter Sampieri, a member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, will direct the play. He is a graduate of the Trinity Repertory MFA Directing Program where he directed The Taming of the Shrew, Wit and A Christmas Carol. He has also directed at the Portland Stage Company, the Gamm Theatre in Providence, Mixed Magic Theatre, and Dramatist’s Guild in New York City. He serves as a guest artist on the faculty of Brown University and Rhode Island College.
Fight choreographer for Romeo and Juliet is Normand Beauregard, scenic design by Cheryl deWardener, costume design by Marilyn Salvatore, lighting design by Christian Wittwer and sound design by Peter Nabut.
Romeo and Juliet will be performed in the URI’s Robert E. Will Theatre, Fine Arts Center, Dec. 1 – 3 and 8 -10 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 4 and 11 at 3 p.m. General tickets are $14; $10 for seniors, URI faculty, and staff; and $8 for students. For reservations, call 401-874-5843. For additional information, please call 874-5922.
The play’s cast members, characters, and hometowns are:
Actor, Character, Hometown
Alejandro Alvarez, Friar John, West Warwick
Brett Azar, Abram, Barrington
Elyssa Baldassarri, Gregory, Holmes, N.Y.
Jill Blevins, Juliet, New Hope, Pa.
Patrick Bosworth, Lord Montague, Narragansett
Randi Buchanan, Benvolio, Burton, Mich.
Carlos Campbell, Sampson, North Kingstown
Shelly Cohen, Lady Montague, Stoughton, Mass.
Erin Condry, Lady Capulet, Warwick
Dan DaCunha, Tybalt, Pawtucket
Jordan Eastwood, Friar Lawrence, N/A
Nile Hawver, Peter, N/A
Lauren Iannelli, Capulet’s Page, Lincoln
James Joseph, Apothecary, Narragansett
Joeseph Kidawski, Mercutio, Framingham, Mass.
Geoff Leatham, Prince Escalus, Wyoming,
Alex McLeod, First Watchman, N/A
Dana Merson, Paris’ Page, W. Orange, N.J.
John Messere, Lord Capulet, N/A
Kayla O’Connell, Balthasar, West Greenwich
Erin Olson, Nurse, Warren
Patrick Poole, Paris, Pemberton, N.J.
Joe Short, Romeo, Wakefield
Anna Tobias, Petruchio, Warwick