Rosebriar Shakespeare Company, central Ohio's only year-round Shakespearean theatre troupe, kicks off the new year with an edgy and modernized production of the Bard's most famous tragedy, romeo and juliet. Adapted and directed by Rosebriar's Resident Director, Steve Emerson, romeo and juliet will run February 18-27, Thursdays through Saturdays at 8pm at Groveport Elementary School, 715 Main St., Groveport, OH.



Although commonly viewed as a romance, Emerson's take on romeo and juliet emphasizes the darker side of the play, "It's not just a love story. It's also a hate story. Vendetta, jealousy, rage, indulgence, and ambition all have a strong presence in the play." His deconstructed Shakespeare employs mask work, rhythmic speech, and stylized movement to update and energize the script. The production, heavily influenced by a commedia dell'arte aesthetic, utilizes a trimmed down cast of nine talented actors, each playing multiple roles, to create an eerie, carnival-like atmosphere.



Capitalizing on the success of the recent partnership initiated with Rosebriar's previous production, Taming of the Shrew, the company is once again teaming up with Groveport Elementary School for romeo and juliet. This time, Emerson will take his small cast and minimal set to the unlikely location of the school's gymnasium. "We'll transform that space into the different locations- the palaces, the streets, the church, the apothecary, the tomb, using the actors' physicality instead of the traditional sets and costumes," says Emerson when describing his version of the classic tragedy. Although RSC plans to perform future productions in the school's Main Street Cruiser Theater, the national historic landmark's formal proscenium set up was not quite right for this production. Said Emerson, "I want the audience to be right there in the action, intimate.

Rosebriar Shakespeare offers free tickets to its performances, although donations are welcome. For more information call 614-836-7939 or visit the company's website at www.rosebriarshakespeare.org.