Academy offers lesson with ‘Romeo and Juliet’

TOM TITUS

All high school students study Shakespeare as part of their

curriculum, but those at Huntington Beach High School can take

advantage of a more immediate form of Shakespearean studies next

weekend.

That’s when one of the Bard’s most renowned works -- and one most

accessible to high schoolers -- will be offered by the Academy for

the Performing Arts.

“Romeo and Juliet,” the timeless story of two star-crossed teenage

lovers whose torrid romance ends in tragedy, will be presented

Thursday through Sunday in the school auditorium. Today’s teens may

notice a familiar theme -- especially if they’re familiar with the

musical “West Side Story.”

“This is a show fit for those being introduced to Shakespeare, or

even Shakespeare veterans themselves,” director Earl Byers said.

The production requires expertise from a number of artistic

disciplines, which Byers believes is a perfect fit for the academy.

He had more than 500 young people with professional aspirations at

his disposal when casting and selecting his technical crew.

“I am looking forward to doing classical theater once again,” he

said. “It has been a while since we have put on such a show. We

believe that the students will benefit by seeing a live production,

aside from reading it.”

The title roles of the teen lovers from two antagonistic families

will be played by Alessandro Randazzo and Nicole Weber. A.J.

Gutierrez will enact Romeo’s comrade Mercutio, while Matt Bartosh is

cast as Juliet’s hot-tempered kinsman Tybalt.

Kelly Dixon and Greg Plunkett have drawn the juicy supporting

roles of Juliet’s nurse and Friar Lawrence, respectively. Romeo’s

parents will be Alec Malczynski and Stephanie Jarnigan, while

Juliet’s father will be Jonathan Dean and her mother’s role is being

divided between Amanda Bolton and Emily Sinclair.

Others in the Academy’s production are Annie Sui, Nick Russell,

Ian Johnson, Ryan Field, Aaron Edminston, Alex DesCombes, Anthony

Page, Jack Wells, Zak Whitson, Riley Richards and Troy Butcher.

“I am excited to be working with such a strong featured cast,”

Byers said. “It’s a rewarding feeling to be putting on a show of such

caliber.”

Curtain times for “Romeo and Juliet” are Thursday through Saturday

at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $9, and $7 for students

and senior citizens. Reservations are being taken at (714) 536-2514,

ext. 4025.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Independent.