SUNY Fredonia offers fresh take on William Shakespeare classic
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A truly timeless classic comes to the stage of Marvel Theatre at the State University of New York at Fredonia this month when the Department of Theatre and Dance presents William Shake-speare's "Romeo and Juliet."
Professor Ted Sharon will direct the Walter Gloor Mainstage production, which runs for five per-formances from Thursday to Sunday.
"The challenge with 'Romeo and Juliet' is that everyone knows the ending," Sharon said.
"Even first-time viewers are told the outcome in the prologue.
So, the journey to the end is where the magic lies -- the discovery of how things come to be.
Our production could easily be called 'Ro-meo and Juliet …what if?'"
More than 75 students are involved in the design, assembly, execution, acting and directing of the Mainstage production.
"We have learned so much about the story and all the wonderfully complex characters involved over the past few weeks. their wants and the ways they go about getting what they want are what fascinate us as a cast and creative team," the director said.
"We have added elements which I believe Shakespeare used in his productions including overlapping scenes, early entrances, the char-acter of Rosaline (Romeo's former love) and we even see Tybalt's ghost."
Sharon explained the cast is being tutored in the art of "shattering the fourth wall," which will al-low the audience will be involved in the experience.
The highlights of the Mainstage production will be many.
"Reasons to come see the show?" Sharon asked. "The costumes are astounding.
The set has been designed to mirror the thrust and levels of Shakespeare's globe theatre. The fights (coordinated by faculty member Steve Vaughn) and the dances (choreographed by faculty member Samantha Kenney) are artistry in motion and compel the story forward."
"Romeo and Juliet" runs for one week only. Dates and show times are 7:30 p.m. on Thursday; Friday and Saturday. Matinee performances are 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Tickets are available through the Campus Ticket Office in the Williams Center, by phone at 716-673-3501 and online at www.fredonia.edu/tickets.
"Romeo and Juliet" is presented as part of the 2022-23 Lake Shore Savings Season at Rockefeller Arts Center.