Performed at Northland Church in Longwood FL. Have you seen the theatre at Northland Church? Have a look here. You will be pleasantly surprised. The Kiev Symphony orchestra puts sound quality at Northland Church Theatre to the test with spectacular results.
Romeo & Juliet - ACT 1
The story is, of course, is a tragic love romance. Two teenagers pursue their love for each other despite the fact that their families have been at odds with each other for decades. The story combines swordfighting, disguise, misunderstanding, tragedy, humor, and some of the most romantic body language ever been created in the name of true love.
In Verona, Italy in the late 1500's, two powerful families the Montagues and the Capulets have been feuding with each other for years. The opening seine is presenting the two families on opposite sides of the stage.
The seine goes in to the market place courtyard where two families meet and start to fight. They are interrupted by the Prince of Verona and commends to stop the violence in the city, or otherwise they will be kicked out of the city for good. Both families have no other choice but to agree and with anger walk away.
At the house of Capulet, Juliet enters the room vibrant and happy. Today she supposed to meet her fiancé for the first time. Lady Capulet (Juliet’s mom) enters the room with Tibalt (cousin) to introduce Paris to Juliet. It is an arranged marriage, and for generations this is the way things have been done, but Juliet’s heart is not there. Lady Capulet decides to throw a ball in the name of Paris, to introduce him as Juliet’s fiancé.
Capulet Masquerade Ball is the biggest event of the year. So Romeo and his best friend Mercutio decides to sneak in to the party of their opponents. By everyone wearing masques, the identities at the ball are anonymous. Once inside, his attention is stolen by Juliet. Romeo falls instantly in love, but is disappointed when he finds out that Juliet is a Capulet. Juliet notices Romeo too, but she is unaware that he is a member of the hated Montagues. Tibalt notices the connection between the young couple and recognizes Romeo. Tibalt is in the middle of break down and wants to fight Romeo, Lady Capulet stops the about to happened fight and with a huge disappointment throws Montague family out. Romeo and Juliet fell in love but now know that they can never be together, due to their families generation war.
ACT 2
The famous Balcony Adajio is the opening seine, where Romeo sneaks into Juliet’s back yard to express his love to her. Noticing Juliet on the balcony talking to the stars about him, he no longer able to control his powerful feelings, Romeo reveals himself to her and admits that he feels the same. The seine takes us to the famous Balcony Adajio.
The couple realizes that their families will never allow them to be together, the hatred is too strong. Unless, they can do something that their families have no power to separate their love. In the morning Juliet writes the letter to Romeo, asking him to meet her at Friar Laurence, to wed behind their parents back. Then they will always be together. Juliet ask the Nanny to find Romeo and pass the note to him. She refuses at first, but out of love for Juliet, she agrees.
Romeo and Juliet meet with Friar Laurence and beg him to wed them. Knowing that they are from the opposite sides he refuses, but a thought comes to him that may be their marriage will be the solution for two families to find piece between each other once and for all. Romeo and Juliet are secretly married.
The next day in the cities courtyard Mercutio and Tibalt run into each other. Tibalt cannot forget the intrusion of Montague family at the Ball. Romeo shows up, but does not want to fight Tybalt because he no longer holds a grudge against Juliet's family. Romeo's friends can't understand why he won't stand up for himself so Mercutio steps in to do it for him. A swordfight with Tybalt follows. Mercutio is killed. To avenge the death of his friend, Romeo kills Tybalt, an act that will award him even more hatred from the Capulet family. The Prince of Verona banishes Romeo from the city and he is forced to leave Juliet, who is devastated by the loss of her love.
ACT 3
Romeo and Juliet meet again for the last time before he has to leave the city. The Adajio between the loving couple cannot be more passionate. The true love is hard to find, and when you find it, you must hold on to it with everything you got.
Juliet's mother, Lady Capulet, not knowing of her daughter's marriage, is pursuing the marriage to Paris. Refusing to merry Paris, Lady Capulet is furious with Juliet, in the fight, the Nanny tries to protect Juliet, but only gets to be thrown across the room. At the end, Lady Capulet is only wants what is best for her daughter, she kisses her on the forehead, tells her that she will merry Paris the next day and leaves Juliet be.
In despair, Juliet consults with Friar Laurence. He advises her to agree to the marriage, but on the morning of the wedding, she will drink a potion that he prepares for her. The potion will make it look like Juliet is dead and she will be put into the Capulet burial vault. Then, the Friar will send Romeo to rescue her. She does as the Friar says and is put into the vault by her heartbroken parents.
Bad news travels fast. Before the Friar can tell Romeo of the hoax, Romeo hears from someone else that his beloved Juliet is dead. Overcome with grief, Romeo buys a poison and goes to Juliet's tomb to die beside his wife. Nothing will stop him from joining his love. Inside the vault, Romeo drinks the poison and takes his last breath next to his sleeping wife. Juliet awakens to see her husband's dead body. She witnesses his last breath, and in fear and confusion, she knows that there is no reason left to live, Juliet kills herself with Romeo's dagger. The tragedy has a tremendous impact on both the Montagues and the Capulets. The families are hurt so much by the death of their children that they agree to never fight again.
In conclusion, it took the death of two innocent teenagers to make piece between two families in the city of Verona. This story, which is more of a lesson to all, that in order to have piece, you have to put your Egos aside, and be able to find common grounds in every situation.