A tale of star-crossed lovers

Since becoming the VHHS theater director, Alan Gardner has been known to direct performances with a mix of classic and modern flair. Last year’s fall play, Night of the Living Dead, incorporated multimedia elements and stemmed from Gardner’s research on out-of-the-ordinary characters and settings.

For this year’s performance, Gardner stepped aside and let the students take the lead.

“I spoke with students about what kind of play they wanted to do,” Gardner said. “They said they wanted to do something people had heard of but also keep the focus on youthful energy.”

Theater students are hard at work rehearsing for this year’s fall performance. On Nov. 6, 7 and 8, the VHHS Theatre will present Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

The tragedy was written by William Shakespeare early in his career and follows the journey of two star-crossed lovers whose deaths ultimately reconcile their feuding families. Believed to have been written between 1591 and 1595, the play was first published in a quarto version in 1597. It was among Shakespeare’s most popular plays during his lifetime and is one of his most frequently performed plays.

However, don’t expect a run-of-the-mill performance from these students.

From the scene where Romeo first sees Juliet to the famous final act, audiences can expect the fun and interesting theater elements that Gardner is known for. He said some scenes will take place in a New York club atmosphere in what he describes as a progressive setting.

“We’re not changing the play, we are just modernizing it,” Gardner said. “We’ll have a mix of modern music and interesting costume choices.” 

Gardner is heavily aware of the way costumes will represent the characters’ societal status of the time.

“Weather and affluence was really reflected in the characters’ fashion choices and the world around them,” Gardner said.

In addition to the costumes and dancing, Gardner said the set will reflect the modern theme.

“We will have platforms all over the stage that represent balconies and a variety of lighting schemes throughout the stage,” Gardner said.

He makes it clear that despite a more modern feel, the central elements of the play will remain true to the classic Shakespeare.

“I think it will be very appealing to the audience and something they can appreciate,” Gardner said.