MC Performing Arts Department Presents Romeo & Juliet

Marin Catholic’s Fall play held on November 3 through 6, featured a talented cast of nearly 30 students performing William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.
Marin Catholic’s Fall play held on November 3 through 6, featured a talented cast of nearly 30 students performing William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

The MC production inspired the actors to explore modern problems through a story first told more than 400 years ago! The cast presented through dance, sword fights, rap, and vibrant phrase, the story about two lovers whose deaths will end a long-time family feud. 

Those who did not sleep through high school English will remember the tragic tale about
two star-crossed lovers divided by injustice, prejudice, and their violent, warring families – the Capulets and the Montagues. Revenge, love, and a secret marriage force Romeo and Juliet to grow up quickly — and fate causes them to commit suicide in despair. Contrast and conflict are running themes throughout the celebrated Shakespeare play.  The MC production (set in the here and now, with a twist), inspired the actors to explore modern problems of blind hate, mad passion, and dysfunctional family relationships through a story first told more than 400 years ago!

The production was directed by Christine Samson, the newest member of the school’s Performing Arts Department.  The tale of Romeo and Juliet was cleverly set in two locations to embrace the audience with an atmosphere of cool air and a crescent moon in the school’s fountain courtyard for Act 1, and to draw them into the story in the revamped Poetz Theater for Act II.  In the first half, when Juliet stood outside on the balcony while Romeo professes his heart’s dear love - “Lady, by yonder blessed moon I vow,” the audience dutifully follows his pointed finger to note the clear moon above.  Inside the theater, dimly lit with overhead chandeliers, the divided seating opened the floor to connect with the stage, thus committing the viewers to intimately witness the tragic events unfolding in the story’s second half.
The opening scene was beautifully delivered by a lone rapper who was joined by the talented cast to present through dance, swordfights, and vibrant phrase, the story about two lovers whose deaths will end a long-time family feud.  The delivery of Shakespeare's heightened language by students committed to communication through abbreviated texts, 140-character tweets, and down-to-business e-mails was an affirming testament to the intelligence, passion, and embrace of style that each member of the MC student cast brought to the production.  The audience’s appreciation for the delightful performance was evident throughout the story – and was as ‘boundless as the sea.”  Truly, the quality, style, and emotional resonance delivered by MC’s students through this production was a shining affirmation of gratitude for the on-going support of the Grand Sponsors, Patrons of the Arts, school parents and dedicated faculty
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