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Romeo and Juliet return

Updated: Friday, February 10 2012, 02:31 PM CST
By Rob Faubion, Austin On Stage www.austinonstage.com

Directed by Jeff Hinkle, Shakespeare’s classic tragedy of young passions, feuding families and star-crossed lovers features Ben McLemore and Chelsea Bunn in the title roles.

Young passions, feuding families and star-crossed lovers set the scene as The City Theatre Company brings to the stage William Shakespeare’s first great tragedy and one of his most beloved works - Romeo and Juliet.  The tale of young love thwarted by circumstance plays February 16th through March 11th
     
The popularity of Shakespeare's classic tale has inspired countless theatrical stagings, operas and ballets, along with numerous television and film versions.  Written around 1594, the play is Shakespeare's immortal tale of two young lovers who decide take fate into their own hands and pursue love despite the intense hatred dividing their two families.  However, circumstances conspire to thwart their efforts as missed chances, poor timing and tragic mistakes prevent the lovers from finding happiness.
     
The production is directed by Jeff Hinkle, whose directorial work at City Theatre includes Hamlet, The Taming of the Shrew, Hair and the B. Iden Payne Award-nominated Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.  Ben McLemore and Chelsea Bunn head the cast in the title roles.
    
The cast also features Tim Brown (Tybalt), Kevin Gates (Mercutio), Gabriel Diehl (Benvolio), Mick D’Arcy (Friar Laurence), Lindsay McKenna (Nurse), Trevor Bisell (Capulet), Kate Clark (Lady Capulet) and Matthew Butterfield (Prince) along with Mario Silva, Austin Gabler, Andrew Kotrla, Shirley Wofford, Aaron Bryant and Ashley deVille. Production design is by Andy Berkovsky, with costume design by Lindsay McKenna, fight choreography led by Wesley Riddle and production stage manager Emily Toothman. 
    
Performances will run Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 5:30 p.m.  Tickets are $25 for reserved front row seats and $15 to $20 for general admission.  All Thursday all seats are $10.
    
The City Theatre is located at 3823 Airport Blvd. Suite D, on the east corner of Airport Blvd. and 38 ½ Street.  For more information and reservations, call (512) 524-2870 or visit www.CityTheatreAustin.org.

(Image courtesy City Theatre)Romeo and Juliet return