The GW Shakespeare Company presents “Romeo and Juliet” Thursday through Saturday at 7 and 10 p.m. in the West Hall Theatre. The show is directed by Luther Smith.
The cast and audience felt like opening night was a fantastic success with the theater packed full and the audience members excited to see Shakespeare’s 1567 masterpiece.
The cast believes that the audience will walk away from this show with many emotions because though classic, the play can be related to modern times.
“I think that we tried to convey all the emotions,” said first-time director Luther Smith. “We wanted the audience to feel more than just love between Romeo and Juliet.”
Typically seen on stage as an actor, Smith had to transition into being a director. “When he tells you to do something, he doesn’t just explain it from the outside perspective; he gets into your mind, where you are, and he comes and shows you,” said actor John Kinde who plays Romeo.
“This is the first play I have ever done,” said Kinde. “I always wanted to act when I was in high school but could never find the time.”
Kinde’s co-star was Hannah Fried-Tenzer, who was previously studying abroad but knew she wanted to get back involved with GW Shakespeare the second she returned.
The cast and director wanted to make the classic play an enjoyable experience for their audience. They wanted to make it different than the experience most students had while reading the play in high school.
“I think that it’s a play that everyone has read, seen, and done reports on,” said Smith. “I knew that everyone held some sort of sentiments and I felt like people could really relate to the characters.”
The cast became really good friends during the five-week rehearsal process.
“Proud is not even the word that can accurately describe how I feel,” said Smith. “They brought me to tears during several of the scenes.”
Tickets are still available and can be purchased at the door for five dollars. The show continues Friday and Saturday at 7 and 10 p.m. in the West Hall theater on the Mount Vernon Campus.