Publisher: Elizabeth Hurd

Coolly Romantic “Romeo and Juliet” Shows at the Myriad Gardens Water Stage

Elizabeth Hurd Published: September 16th, 2016

It was a dark and stormy night…and also the opening of “The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet” at the Myriad Botanical Gardens presented by Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park. Opening night can be a little shaky and the possibilities of rain certainly played a part. Artistic director, Kathryn McGill directs the production and assuring everyone that, if the show gets rained out, tickets will provide admission to an upcoming performance. The setting for “Romeo and Juliet” is ideal, and as the breeze cools, the September weather is very appropriate for the story. “Romeo and Juliet” is familiar to most as one of the high school memories we don’t suppress. The star-crossed lovers, Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet are children of feuding fathers and their quickly kindled love has all the intensity of first love along with the commitment of true love. With the help of Friar Laurence the lovers come together in marriage but the feud of the two prominent houses creates obstacles, street fighting and death. The interesting subtleties that we may not remember so well provide us with the meat of the matter. In this production the meat is done well, a rarity.

Tommy Stuart is cast as Romeo. His performance is a little uneven, rushing in the first act, although he recovers nicely for the second act. This may be the result of opening night jitters or weather concerns, probably a bit of both. It is certain that the koi fish, usually lazily lurking in the water surrounding the stage seemed quite active. As a result, Stuart has the unusual distinction of being upstaged by a fish. Hannah McCue is cast as Juliet. Her performance is slightly marred by a very touchy microphone. Probably not opening night jitters, but quite possibly weather related, her microphone couldn’t stay on long enough to complete sentences. The sounds not only vary in decibel level when the mike is not properly working but they also emanate from different areas on the stage. The unfortunate result is somewhat reminiscent of a ventriloquist act. The sound crew would have done well to turn off the mike and let her project. Nevertheless she carries on like a trouper and one can see and understand Juliet’s situation easily. Jointly McCue and Stuart have nice chemistry and upcoming performances will be very good.

Excellent presence is found with Wil Rogers both as Mercutio and the Prince of Verona. The two characters are distinctly different and delivery is smoothly competent and heartfelt. Hank McDaniel is Friar Laurence, performing naturally and sensitively. Other notable performances come from Jeffrey Ambrosini as Capulet alongside Renee Krapff as Lady Capulet. Also important are Tad Thurston as Montague and Judith Midyett as Lady Montague. Midyett shines in her main role as Nurse and confidant to Juliet. Her characterization perfectly complements McCue’s and together the two of them are quite wonderful.

The cast is large but there are no laggards as they pull together a solid performance under McGill’s expert and experienced direction-except for the fish. As the storm moved in, everyone rushed a little bit trying very hard to beat the elements and nearly made it! As is so common in Oklahoma the lightening can become dangerous and the technical staff was forced to stop the play before the ending. However the cast managed the important part and the play ended on opening night exactly at the point a modern playwright would end. While the few remaining minutes are a wrap up and important, no one felt dissatisfied as cast and audience alike scattered to shelter. This event, alone, indicates the overall top quality of performance by McGill and her cast and crew.

Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park will be showing “The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet” Thursday, Friday and Saturdays through September 24 with an 8:00pm curtain. The Water Stage is in the Myriad Botanical Gardens at 301 W. Reno in downtown OKC. For information and tickets click www.oklahomashakespeare.com or call 405-235-3700.