By Chuck Graham, TucsonStage.com
photo by Tim Fuller
With open arms and endless hope, Romeo (Hunter Hnat) calls out to his Juliet (Bryn Booth), safely ensconced on her balcony.
No matter how many times you've seen William Shakespeare's “Romeo and Juliet,” you definitely must not miss The Rogue Theatre's irresistible rendition directed by Christopher Johnson.
In the program notes Johnson says “We've made it our mission to approach the material as if for the first time.” In this, Johnson and his cast of 16 elaborately costumed actors are eminently successful.
Hunter Hnat and Bryn Booth have the titular roles. Both are older than the young teens described in the Bard's eponymous text, but are so convincing in the purity of their heart-rending performances.
Booth touches all the emotions from giddy first love to the wrenching conclusion of matching heartbeat for heartbeat with Romeo, her forever husband.
In that closing scene, their struggling dialogue is enhanced by delicate body language surrounding them in silence, tearfully expressing their final desire for each other.
Hnat is the jauntily enthusiastic lad grown into an eager warrior happy to defend his honor as well as that of his friends. At the same time Romeo's true love for Juliet turns this masculine impulse into deadly action.
Key to this classic clash of an irresistible force meeting an immovable object stands Joseph McGrath as the well-meaning Friar Laurence. Through his performance layered in subtle shades of idealism mixed with admiration, we understand how this man of the cloth could be drawn into the sentimental desperation of these star-crossed lovers.
Within this simmering conflict between the Houses of Montague and Capulet there are flashing moments of swordplay choreographed in high speed confrontations by Brent Gibbs.
Among the many supporting players, Ryan Parker Knox was tops as the compulsive Mercutio. No good deed goes unpunished as Knox shows he is drawn toward hot-blooded alternatives to the conservative law of order in Verona at the time.
Cynthia Meier brings extra depth to her role as the nurse of Juliet. In the first act, she provides comedy relief in looking after her love-struck charge. In the second act she adds pure pain to the finality of adolescent compulsion.
“Romeo and Juliet” continues through May 18, with performances at various times Fridays-Sundays in The Rogue Theatre, 300 E. University Blvd. Run time is approximately 2 1/2 hours, including intermission. Tickets are $47 general admission, discounts available. For details and reservations, visit www.theroguetheatre.com or phone 520-551-2053.
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