CCM Opens 2016-17 Mainstage Series with a Retelling of 'Romeo and Juliet'

The University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music opens its 2016-17 Mainstage Series with a preview performance of William Shakespeare’s

Romeo and Juliet

on

Wednesday, Sept. 28

in

Patricia Corbett Theater

.  With this modern production of the Bard’s beloved tragedy, director

Brant Russell

aims to preserve Shakespeare’s intentions and give CCM students the opportunity to bring these iconic roles to life.

CCM’s retelling of

Romeo and Juliet

weaves the familiar story of ill-fated young love with a modern comedic twist. “It’s a comedy…until it’s not,” said Assistant Professor of Acting Brant Russell.

“What I’m hoping the audience will take away from this is everything that CCM does so well; lavish production values and excellent young actors coming together to tell a story that means something to everyone,” Russell said. “Everything an audience has come to expect from CCM and its eye-popping productions will be present in this show.”

CCM Acting seniors

Spencer Lackey

and

Katie McDonald

play the title roles — an experience that would be a dream come true for many young actors. Russell is happy to showcase fresh faces, which is what the script actually calls for. According to the play’s text, Juliet is almost 14 years old and Romeo’s age is never explicitly mentioned.

“This production puts the beauty and eloquence of Shakespeare’s language front and center, but, in the mouths of these young actors, you’ll hear the language like you’ve never heard it before,” Russell said.

Romeo and Juliet

opens on

Wednesday, Sept. 28 (preview)

and runs through

Sunday, Oct. 2

at the CCM’s

Patricia Corbett Theater

.

____

Creative Team

• Brant Russell, director
• Whitney Glover, scenic designer*
• Nick Saiki, lighting designer*
• Jeremy Lee, sound designer
• Sean K. Tingle, sound designer*
• Raphael Regan, costume designer*
• Erin Schwob, wig and make-up designer*
• Hope Rice, dramaturg**
• Brianna Latrash, choreographer*
• Hamilton Moore, choreographer*
• k. Jenny Jones, fight choreographer
• Andi Radujkovic, stage manager*

* CCM student

** DAAP student

Cast List

• Owen Alderson as Capulet
• Carissa Cardy as Montague
• Jabari Carter as Gregory
• Clare Combest as Lady Capulet
• Jacqueline Daaleman as Lady Montague/ Chorus 1
• Gabriella Divincenzo as Friar Lawrence’s Assistant/ Watchman
• Sarah Durham as Watchwoman
• James Egbert as Friar Lawrence
• Ryan Garrett as Paris
• Annie Grove as Mercutio
• Landon Hawkins as Tybalt
• Carter La Cava as Sampson/ Watchman
• Spencer Lackey as Romeo
• Katie Langham as Nurse/ Actor
• Katie McDonald as Juliet
• Julia Netzer as Abraham/ Apothecary/ Watchman
• Josh Reiter as Balthasar
• Mickey Tropeano as Benvolio
• Emily Walton as Prince

Performance Times

• 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28 (preview)
• 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29
• 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30
• 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1
• 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2

Location

Patricia Corbett Theater, CCM Village

University of Cincinnati

Purchasing Tickets

Tickets to

Romeo and Juliet

are $27-31 for adults, $17-20 for non-UC students and $15-18 for UC students with a valid ID. Tickets to the Sept. 28 preview performance are just $15.

Student rush tickets will be sold one hour before each performance to non-UC students for $12 or $15, based on availability. UC students can receive one free student rush ticket with a valid ID, based on availability.

Customizable subscription packages are also available for CCM’s 2016-17 Mainstage Series.

Tickets can be purchased in person at the CCM Box Office, over the telephone at 513-556-4183 or online at

ccm.uc.edu/boxoffice/mainstage/romeo-and-juliet

.

Parking and Directions

Parking is available in the CCM Garage (located at the base of Corry Boulevard off Jefferson Avenue) and additional garages throughout the UC campus. Please visit

uc.edu/parking

for more information on parking rates.

For detailed maps and directions, please visit

uc.edu/visitors

. Additional parking is available off-campus at the U Square complex on Calhoun Street and other neighboring lots.

For directions to CCM Village, visit

ccm.uc.edu/about/directions

.

____

CCM Season Presenting Sponsor: The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation

Mainstage Season Production Sponsor: Macy’s