For a complete set of pictures taken by Angie Nebola in the house during the final performance, click here!
"Two households, both alike in dignity,
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene . . ."
Photo by Julie Zimmer
She's 13, he's 15. They meet at a party and fall in love. What could
be a more ordinary beginning to a typical teen romance? But these two
young lovers from Verona, Italy in July of 1303 have a romance that is anything
but typical, for their fathers are mortal enemies. The long standing feud
between their families, which often breaks into open warfare on the streets of
Verona, dooms the secret love of Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet The glorious poetry of
William Shakespeare transforms this teen romance into the ultimate love story of
all time -- a story that pits the beauty of young love against the savage
violence of an Italy emerging from the Middle Ages.
"For
never was a story of more woe
than this of Juliet and her Romeo."
Technical Director Kevin Bookmeier has created this massive set on the stage of the Palace Theatre for ACT I's production of Romeo and Juliet.
ESCALUS, prince of
Verona Alexander Vasquez
MERCUTIO
Jared Parmater*
kinsman to the prince, and friend to Romeo
PARIS
Aaron Murphy
kinsman to the Prince, in love with Juliet
The House of Montague:
MONTAGUE
Alan Nebola
ROMEO, young son to
Montague Brandon Jolly*
BENVOLIO
Matthew Meyer
nephew to Montague, and friend to Romeo
BALTHASAR, servant to
Romeo Ben Mealhow*
ABRAM
Blake Hansen
PROTEUS
Ryan Calderwood
THURIO
Joshua Brewer
BAPTISTA
Brian Lefstad*
Montague
retainers
LADY MONTAGUE, wife to
Montague Kelli Otting*
The House of Capulet:
CAPULET
Steve Arnold
TYBALT, nephew to Lady
Capulet Joshua Deutsch
SAMPSON
Nick Schumacher*
GREGORY
Kordereau Sellers
PETRUCHIO
Dan Greaser
VINCENTIO
Kyle Brewer
Capulet retainers
SERVINGMAN to
Capulet Cody Robison
PETER, servant to Juliet's
nurse Ryan Calderwood
BASSANIO, Page to Tybalt
Dakota
Rundlett*
LADY CAPULET, wife to
Capulet Jeannine Peyton*, Kari Douma
JULIET, age 13, daughter to
Capulet Megan Christy
NURSE TO JULIET
Cathi Calderwood
PORTIA
Erin Horst
BIANCA
Josie Rundlett
VIOLA
Femke Treffers*
ROSALINE
Kayla Comer
HELENA
Kaitlin Karrick
LUCETTA
Beckie Stravers
Gentlewomen in the Court of Capulet
FRIAR LAURENCE
Edgar Dickerson
FRIAR JOHN
Cody Robison
Franciscans
AN APOTHECARY
Kordereau Sellers
ANTIPHOLOUS, Page to
Paris Trevor Walker
BIONDELLO, Page to Mercutio
Jason Long
CAPTAIN OF THE WATCH Bill Owens
SECOND WATCH
Bill Martin
THIRD
WATCH
Ryan Comer*
FOURTH
WATCH Cody
Robison
Townspeople
SYLVIA, a produce
merchant Lori Smith*
GRAZIANO, boy to
Sylvia
Adam Smith
NERISSA, a
baker
Josie Rundlett
PANTHINO, boy to Nerissa
Nathan Horst
Beggar
Lindsey Aamos*
Altar
Boys
Nathan Horst
Adam Smith
*Debut performance
Verona, Italy
July, 1303
William Shakespeare divided his play into five acts. For our performances, we will present the play in two parts, with one intermission.
The Scenes
Prologue
In the Tomb of the Capulets
Photo by Angie Nebola
Sunday, July 14, 1303
Act 1, Scene 1
A public square in Verona
Mid morning
Photo by Angie Nebola
Photo by Angie Nebola
Act 1, Scene 2
A room in the Capulet palace; later, on a street
An hour later
Act 1, Scene 3
Juliet's bedchamber
Immediately afterward
Act 1, Scene 4
A street in Verona
Dusk
Act 1, Scene 5
The banqueting hall of the Capulet palace
That night
Photo by Angie Nebola
Act 2, Scenes 1, 2
The private gardens of the Capulet palace, overlooked by Juliet's balcony
Later that night
Photo by Angie Nebola
Monday, July 15, 1303
Act 2, Scene 3
Friar Lawrence's cell
Dawn
Act 2, Scene 4
A Street in Verona
About 9:00 AM
Act 2, Scene 5
Juliet's bedchamber
An hour later
Act 2, Scene 6
A small chapel adjoining Friar Lawrence's cell
Early that afternoon
Act 3, Scene 1
An hour later
A public square in Verona
Photo by Angie Nebola
Photo by Angie Nebola
Intermission
Act 3, Scene 2
Juliet's bedchamber
Two hours later
Act 3, Scene 3
Friar Lawrenece's cell
Soon after
Act 3, Scene 4
A room in the Capulet palace
Late that night
Tuesday, July 16, 1303
Act 3, Scene 5
Juliet's bedchamber
Dawn
Act 4, Scene 1
Friar Lawrence's cell
Later that day
Act 4, Scenes 2, 3
A room in the Capulet Palace; then Juliet's bedchamber
Late that afternoon
Wednesday, July 17, 1303
Act 4, Scene 4
Juliet's bedchamber
Dawn
Act 5, Scene 1
Romeo's lodgings in Mantua
Several hours later
Act 5, Scene 2
Friar Lawrence's cell
Very late that night
Thursday, July 18, 1303
Act 5, Scene 3
The Tomb of the Capulets
Dawn
Many of the costumes used in the ACT I production have been borrowed from the Brucemore historic site in Cedar Rapids, which produced the play in July of 1999 as part of their "Classics at Brucemore" series. In addition to the Brucemore costumes, ACT I has constructed many new pieces as well, designed by Jill g. Lockard Bopp.
Director
Steve Arnold
Assistant Director / Stage
Manager Alexander Vasquez
Technical
Director Kevin Bookmeier
Choreographer Charlie Vogl
Combat Coach Alexander Vasquez
Tybalt / Mercutio Fight Staging Josh Deutsch, Jared Parmater
Sound
Editor
Charlie Vogl
Lighting Design
Austin Karr
Property
Mistress Julie Long
Property
Assistant Chelsea Meyer
Assistant Stage Manager Nick Schumacher
Many costumes provided by The Classics at Brucemore
New Costume Designs Jill g. Lockard Bopp
New Costume Construction Lisa Finch
Laura Payne
Lori Smith
Linda Fischer
Connie Gill
Kellie Otting
Marilyn Yedlik
Jeannie Springer
Jeannine Peyton
Deb Rundlett
Set Construction Kevin
Bookmeier
Ray Bookmeier
Barb Bookmeier
Anita Yessak
Jason Yessak
Jordan Yessak
Jessica Rundlett
Aaron Pingenot
Jay Appleby
Kecia Appleby
Julie Johnson
Tammy Blair
Lighting and Sound BOardOperators Austin Karr
Kevin Bookmeier
Lu Karr
Julie Johnson
Jessica Rundlett
Poster
Design
Steve Arnold
Program Design and Layout Mary Horst
Publicity
Brian Larkin
Julie Zimmer
House Manager Brenda
Hackbarth
Box Office Manager Linda Radcliffe
Tea and Shakespeare
Promotional Performances:
Cast: Alexander Vasquez, Aaron Murphy, Erin Horst, Cathi Calderwood, Megan Christy, Josie Rundlett, Edgar Dickerson, Elise Dickerson, JoDee Edmunds, Matthew Meyer, Kayla Comer, Jared Parmater, Steve Arnold
ACT I of Benton County as well as the cast and crew of Romeo and Juliet would like to thank the following for their help and support to this production:
James Kern
Brucemore Historic Site
Hardees of Vinton
Jim Miller and Center Stage
Elise Dickerson
Hilda's
Larry Vogl
Casey Cooling
The Palace Theatre Staff and Board of Trustees: Lu Karr, Jan McLeod, and Julie Zimmer, Managers
and as always our most grateful thanks to Jon and Julie Clingman and Clingman Pharmacy for providing ACT I with our rehearsal space and costume storage.
ROMEO and JULIET
Fact or Fiction?
"Two households, both alike in
dignity
In fair Verona where we lay our scene,
From ancient grudge breaks to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
A pair of star crossed lovers take their life;
Whose misadventured piteous overthrows
Doth with their death bury their parents strife."
Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet takes place in Verona, Italy. The old city of Verona today looks much as it did seven hundred years ago at the beginning of the Renaissance, when the play is set. Here, it is not difficult to imagine the brilliant swordplay that might explode in an instant from a few quick insults exchanged by members of the Capulet and Montague families.
"My naked weapon is out. Quarrel, I will back thee."
As Italy emerged from the Middle Ages, it was a collection of independent and weak city states, where warring families vied for political and economic power. It was a violent time, and local conflicts continuously led to bloodshed and death. Every youth kept his sword at his side and knew how to use it for the sake of his own life.
"Three
civil brawls bred of an airy word
By thee, old Capulet, and Montague,
Have thrice disturbed the quiet of our streets."
Shakespeare was not the first writer to tell us the story of the feud between the Capulets and the Montagues, and the tragic and secret love of their children, Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare's play, first published in 1597 and probably written two years earlier, was only one of many tellings of the story, which was already popular when Shakespeare created his version. Arthur Brooke's 1562 poem "The Tragicall Historye of Romeus and Juliet" was Shakespeare's primary source. Brooke's poem was a loose translation of a French story by Pierre Boaistuau, published in 1559. This in turn was based on a 1554 work by the Italian Mateo Bandello, who had adapted his version from another published in 1530 by Luigi Da Porto, who was the first to give the characters their names and to set the story in Verona.
The evolution of this story didn't stop with Shakespeare. It was Shakespeare, of course, who was the source material for the 1956 Broadway musical "West Side Story," taking the story out of its Italian setting and placing it in New York City on the upper west side of Manhattan. The lovers, renamed Tony and Maria, emerge from the world of warring teenage street gangs, with switchblade replacing rapier as the weapon of choice.
Although they are fictional characters as portrayed by Shakespeare, the Capulets and the Montagues were real Verona families and their children, Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet, may have really lived. A history of the city of Verona places the year of this tragic story in 1303, and with that in mind ACT I sets its production in that year. Is the picture below of the house believed to be the Capulet home really Juliet's balcony?
"But
soft. What light through yonder window breaks?
It is the east, and Juliet is the sun."
The house on the left is believed to have been the Montague family home in Verona. Might a real life brooding young Romeo have penned his love poetry inside those walls?
"Away from light steals home my
heavy son
And private in his chamber pens himself,
Shuts up his windows, locks fair daylight out,
And makes himself an artificial night."
Below, Juliet's balcony, as presented in the ACT I production opening February 22 at the Palace Theatre in Vinton.
A statue of Juliet stands in her honor in Verona, a tribute to one of the greatest love stories ever told. Whether or not the young teenagers Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet lived and loved against the background of violence that marks Shakespeare's play, his immortal poetic voice makes the story just as real and moving for us as it was over 400 years ago when the first London audience wept for these tragic young lovers.
"For I will ray her statue in pure
gold,
That whiles Verona by that name is known,
There shall no figure at such rate be set
As that of true and faithful Juliet."
ABOUT OUR CAST and CREW
Cast members Jared Parmater and Blake Hanson practice their swordsmanship
ACT I assembled an impressive cast for its production, and we were been able to cast the play with talented young actors who could truly match ages with the characters they played rather than using adult actors. Fifteen year old Megan Christy returned to ACT I for her third major role, as thirteen year old Juliet. She first appeared as Lady Jane Grey in "The Prince and the Pauper" and later as Gretel in "Hansel and Gretel." Brandon Jolly, a Bettendorf native who is a junior at Coe College majoring in Education, appeared as Romeo. This was Brandon's very first stage acting experience, although he participates regularly in performances of Civil War reenactments. As Mercutio we featured Jared Parmater, also in his debut with ACT I. Jared is a Vinton native who discovered theatre his senior year at WHS, when he played the prince in "The Twelve Dancing Princesses." This was only his second acting role. He is currently a junior at the University of Northern Iowa and a member of the Iowa National Guard. As Benvolio, we had Matthew Meyer, a young ACT I veteran of five previous productions and three previous major roles. Most recently, Matt was seen as Colin in "The Secret Garden." He is a freshman at WHS. In addition to his interest in drama, Matt is active in vocal music activities at WHS as well as football and golf. Tybalt was played by Joshua Deutsch, a junior at WHS who has been involved in ACT I since fifth grade. His list of acting credits goes on forever, beginning with Kurt in "The Sound of Music" and continuing with such roles as Hank in "Marvin's Room," and Whitney Day in both "Life with Father" and "Life with Mother." Josh came to the role of Tybalt already an experienced swordsman, having played Peter in "The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe." When Josh isn't onstage, he is out excelling in his many athletic pursuits. Paris is played by Aaron Murphy, who is a senior at WHS. Aaron's many appearances with ACT I have shown off his dancing and acting ability and he has played many major roles both with us and at Theatre WHS. He is also active in vocal music activities, including DanSingCorps show choir at WHS, and is the drum major for the WHS marching band.
In the adult cast, Cathi Calderwood lent her comic talents to the role of the Nurse. Cathi has been seen previously in such roles as Veta Louise Simmons in "Harvey," Vinnie Day in both "Life with Mother" and "Life with Father," and Widow Corney in "Oliver!" Edgar Dickerson was featured as Friar Lawrence. Ed made his Main Stage debut with this production but he appeared last season in major roles in both our readers' theatre offerings as well as our poetry reading. Ed is a Seventh Day Adventist lay pastor. Jeannine Payton, a teacher associate at West Early Childhood Center, made her debut as Lady Capulet. She shared the role with Kari Douma, a former professional child actress whose ACT I roles have included Martha in "The Secret Garden," Myrtle Mae in "Harvey," and Eliza Doolittle in "My Fair Lady," not to mention vocal performances in both our "Intermezzo" recitals. Kari is a vocal music instructor at Tilford Middle School and Washington High School in Vinton. Alan Nebola, who first appeared in "My Fair Lady," played Lord Montague. He was seen earlier this year as Pseudolous, the leading character in ACT I's production of "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum." Alan is a nuclear technician at the Duane Arnold Energy Plant in Palo. Alexander Vasquez, who was also assistant director, stage manager, and fight coach for this production, took the role of Escalus, Prince of Verona. Alex has appeared in several ACT I productions since his debut in "The Prince and the Pauper," including "My Fair Lady," "A Streetcar Named Desire," and most recently as Wilson in "Harvey." Alex is also a living historian, participating regularly in Civil War Reenaactments. Bill Owens, a veteran of our readers theatre productions, also made his Main Stage debut as the First Watch. Bill is Vice President of Farmers Savings Bank and Trust, the sponsor of this production. WHS science teacher, football and wrestling coach Nick Schumacher made his ACT I debut as Sampson. Nick came in with many previous acting roles in high school productions, notably Conrad Birdie in "Bye Bye Birdie." Bill Martin, whose wife Lois and their daughters have previously appeared with ACT I, joined us for the first time as one of the watch.
The supporting roles for this production feature many very familiar faces as well as several newcomers to ACT I. Kordereau Sellers (Gregory and the Apothecary) is a freshman at WHS who first appeared with us while in second grade in "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever." He most recently appeared as Prince Michael in our summer production of "The Emperor's New Clothes." Cody Robison (Capulet Servingman and Friar John) has also made his mark as an actor with both ACT I and WHS. Ben Mealhow made his debut as Balthasar after appearing in several school productions. Ben's school activities include vocal music and swimming. Also among our corps of swordsmen playing members of the Montague and Capulet retinues are several freshmen at WHS: twins Joshua and Kyle Brewer, who have appeared in numerous ACT I shows, including "The Prince and the Pauper" in which they portrayed the title characters; Kyle also played the title role in "Oliver!" for us four years ago. Dan Greaser is a veteran of three previous ACT I shows including "Oliver!" and the "Velveteen Rabbit." Ryan Calderwood, (who played both sides of the Montague / Capulet conflict, cast as both a Montague retainer and as Peter, Servant to the Nurse) counts among his previous roles Hansel in "Hansel and Gretel," Harlan Day in "Life with Father" and "Life with Mother;" and Mr. Beaver in "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe." He also appeared as Michael Darling in "Peter Pan" at Theatre Cedar Rapids. Brian Lefstad made his ACT I debuts after having roles in school productions. Brian is active in sports as well as theatre. Blake Hanson, with interests ranging from sports to dance, appeared as Abram after debuting in "The Emperor's New Clothes." Blake is the grandson of longtime ACT I member Dorothy Albert. Ryan Comer is a freshman at WHS making his first appearance on stage as a member of the watch. As the Capulet Gentlewoman, our featured dancers, we had six very talented young women, including Kayla Comer, whose appearances with us include roles in "Hansel and Gretel" and "The Secret Garden." Josie Rundlett has played a several roles for ACT I during the past two years including Mary Warren in "The Crucible." Erin Horst has appeared in thirteen ACT I productions as well as school theatre. Her roles include Mary Lennox in "The Secret Garden" and the Princess in "The Emperor's New Clothes." Kaitlin Karrick previously appeared in "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" and "The Emperor's New Clothes." Beckie Stravers has been seen in several ACT I productions including "The Miracle Worker," "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever," and "Bye Bye Birdie." Femke Treffer made her debut with us; Femke is a foreign exchange student from The Netherlands where she was active as a dancer and appeared in play productions. All six of these talented young dancers perform with the WHS show choir, DanSingCorps.
Additional roles were played by Kelli Otting, making her ACT I debut as Lady Montague. Kelli works at CarPac in Vinton. Lori Smith appeared as the Produce Merchant. Lori operates Expressions in downtown Vinton. She and her company are the sponsors of our next Main Stage production, "It Runs in the Family." An orphan beggar was played by Lindsey Aamos in her ACT I debuts. Dakota Rundlett made his ACT I debut as Tybalt's Page, and fourth grader Nathan Horst returned for his seventh ACT I show in the dual role of Baker's Boy and an altar boy. Having made their ACT I debuts during our summer program, we enjoyed return performances by seventh grader Adam Smith as the Produce Merchant's Boy and an altar boy, and fifth grader Trevor Walker as Paris' Page. Fifth grader Jason Long came to the role of Mercutio's Page with several ACT I productions already under his belt, most notably the role of the Dwarf in "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe."
Property Mistress Julie Long previously held that position for "Life with Mother." Julie's crew also includes Chelsea Meyer, who has worked backstage for several ACT I shows. Costume Designer Jill g. Lockard Bopp, who created original designs for several of the costumes used in this production, returned to ACT I after an absence of eight years. She has directed five past ACT I productions. Choreographer Charlie Vogl was also choreographer for this season's "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum." He is a junior at Kennedy High School in Cedar Rapids, and in his second year as dance captain for Happiness, Inc, that school's show choir. Charlie's involvement with ACT I began in 1997 with the role of The Artful Dodger in "Oliver!" and he also has many acting credits with Theatre Cedar Rapids, including their summer production, "Tommy." Charlie also served as Sound Editor for this production. In April, Charlie plays the leading role of Danny in the Kennedy High School production of "Grease" and will also serve as choreographer of that show. Director Steve Arnold has staged twelve past ACT I shows, including "The Secret Garden," "The Miracle Worker," "The Prince and the Pauper," and "Bridge to Terabithia." His favorite acting roles with ACT I include Henry Higgins in "My Fair Lady," and Andrew Wyck in "Sleuth." He has also played major roles with Theatre Cedar Rapids and the Old Creamery Theatre and has appeared as Scrooge in "A Christmas Carol" for both ACT I and TCR. Technical Director Kevin Bookmeier, at the age of 21, has a list of credits longer and more varied than anyone else in ACT I; he has worked on 32 different ACT I shows. Beginning as a seventh grader in "Bridge to Terabithia," Kevin has served many times as technical director and has played eight acting roles both large and small in both musicals and straight plays. He has served as Stage Manager and every other conceivable crew position; he has served as a board member of ACT I and he also directed "I'll be Home for Christmas," our 1999 Variety Show that served as ACT I's first show in the Palace Theatre. In addition, Kevin is employed part time as one of the technical staff at the Palace, ACT I's resident venue.
To download the complete text to
Romeo and Juliet, click here!
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