NBTHS to perform 'Romeo & Juliet'
Alchemist Theatre Co. will have shows on Friday, Saturday
BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer

PHOTO COURTESY OF JACQUELINE R. MORRISON Romeo, played by Justin Reager, steals a moment with Juliet, played by Farnaz Mansouri, during the dress rehearsal of "Romeo and Juliet" by the Alchemist Theatre Company of North Brunswick Township High School.

NORTH BRUNSWICK - Audience, audience, wherefore art thou, audience?

The Alchemist Theatre Company hopes they will be in the auditorium of the township high school on Friday and Saturday for their performances of William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet."

"This is the most well-known play in the English language, if not in every language. It is well known, so it is a natural draw, and seeing the play live on stage is always different than reading it," said Alchemist Director Joel Chesler.

With Romeo portrayed by Justin Reager and Juliet portrayed by Farnaz Mansouri, the play is an all-student cast who has been working day and night for the past few weeks to make sure they are prepared for opening night.

One member who has worked doubletime is Joseph Russo, who will be acting as well as student directing.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JACQUELINE R. MORRISON Justin Reager, as Romeo (r), fatally wounds Tybalt, played by Jose Charneco, during the dress rehearsal of "Romeo and Juliet" by the Alchemist Theatre Company of the North Brunswick Township High School. Performances are Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.

"I feel much more involved with the show, but it's kind of difficult to direct and be in the show, because you have to memorize your lines but know where everyone else is, too," he said.

The senior, who is in his fifth show with the Alchemists but his first large role, said that his experience with television production classes has helped him with the directing portion, especially since he wants to be a film director or a screen writer.

Russo also said that despite the 16thcentury setting of the play, it still has applications to real-life experiences today. In his acting role, he portrays Lord Montague, Romeo's father. When Romeo and Juliet kill themselves at the end of the tragic love story, the opposing families of the Capulets and Montagues come together to support each other in their time of mourning.

"Lord Montague says he will raise a statue of Juliet in gold. I thought that was a big moment in the play because everyone comes together to reconcile the loss of their children," Russo said.

However, something a little different from real life is female Hannah Jakubowski taking on the role of Mercutio, who is a male character. Although she said she has never played a female in an Alchemist production and auditioned for the role of Juliet as her first choice, she thinks theatergoers will enjoy her character because "he has so many layers: he is serious yet funny at the same time."

Jakubowski also designed the production poster, basing her drawings on the picture from the 1970s movie of Romeo leaning over the balcony to hug Juliet as the nurse calls out to them. She added a picture to the bottom depicting Mercutio and Tybalt fighting, "showing the contrast between love and war," according to the senior.

Another part of the behind-the-scenes atmosphere is the lighting and sound boards. Freshman Colin Daingerfield is responsible for turning on the microphones, making sure the volume is appropriate, and tuning the sound during the production.

"It's not as easy as it looks," Daingerfield said. "Acting is the most important because without acting, there is no show. But behind-the-scenes enhances the play, because without the sets and the sound and the lighting, it is kind of incomplete."

Chesler believes the students are up to the complete challenge, although he did say he thinks this particular venture "is more difficult [because] this is Shakespeare. First you have to understand what they're saying, and then once you get the lines memorized, you have to remember the emotional part of it," he said.

Yet the cast and crew have high hopes for the production nights.

"I hope that they cry - that would be good if they do that. I hope they leave with their expectations met. It is a very famous play, so we don't want to let them down," Jakubowski said.

"Romeo and Juliet" will be performed Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. at the high school theater at 30 Raider Road. Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for senior citizens and students, and can only be purchased one hour prior to showtime. For more information call Chesler at (732) 289-3700, ext. 4087.