New take on Romeo and Juliet

Tom Titus

Eighth-graders doing Shakespeare? On two weeks’ notice? A recipe for

disaster if there ever was one.

It’s a recipe the Laguna Playhouse’s Youth Theater cooks to a

hilarious boil in its world premiere production of “Romeo and Juliet

Together (and Alive!) at Last.” This one turns the Shakespearean

tragedy into something resembling a cross between “Play On” and

“Noises Off,” two comedies which reduce theatrical endeavors to pure,

and outlandish, slapstick.

This new play by Sandra Fenichel Asher, adapted from the novel by

children’s author Avi, gives its actors a rare opportunity -- to play

classic tragedy and stumble-footed farce in the same production. A

fantasy scene in the first act depicts how “Romeo and Juliet” should

be played under the best of conditions, with full costuming, scenery

and properties (and, obviously, with more than two weeks of

rehearsal).

The second act brings things back to reality as the junior high

kids actually mount their hurried-up production, using whatever

accoutrements are available. The result is a set resembling Camp

Snoopy, costumes collected from whatever is available in the school’s

storeroom and, oh yes, performances far removed from the Royal

Shakespeare Company.

Youth Theater director Joe Lauderdale has gone all out on this

one, summoning a huge cast of young people (with only two adults in

support) and channeling the spirit of Mack Sennett as his muse. The

result is as an elaborate production as you’re likely to see by a

cast replete with teenagers.

The focus of Asher’s comedy is rather thin -- an inventive

student’s ambitious plan to fix his bashful buddy up with the equally

shy girl he’s got a crush on. The scheme involves staging a school

production of “Romeo and Juliet” and casting the buddy and his secret

love in the title roles where, at some point, they’d have to share a

kiss.

The result, however, is outrageously funny. After playing it

straight in the first-act fantasy scene (and demonstrating that these

kids really can act), the “real production” in the second act is done

according to Murphy’s Law. Anything that possibly can go wrong, most

assuredly will.

Justin Klinchuch as the imaginative instigator of the plot

projects a superior sense of command, even when things are falling to

pieces all around him. When Juliet’s mother (Amy Jefferson) gets

sick, he even fills in for her, sans costume or makeup, to keep the

show rolling.

The title characters are nicely enacted by Trevor Evans and Amanda

Ward. His awkwardness and her too-soft speaking voice highlight the

reality portion of the show, while the fantasy segment demonstrates

that both actors have more than adequate performing skills.

Every play needs a modicum of conflict, and this is the province

of Jared Wigdor, playing an egotistic student who wanted to be Romeo,

but is cast as his rival, Tybalt. Their sword-wielding duel in the

fantasy scene is skillfully waged (thanks to fight director Todd

Loweth), while their real faceoff in the second act -- with soft,

spongy weapons -- is hilarious.

Sean Kelly’s Mercutio strikes a comical note in his death scene,

while Valerie Sullivan lends strong support while functioning as a

delectable piece of eye candy as Klinchuch’s assistant. Cory W.

Casoni and April Morgan are strong in the play’s only adult roles as

teachers ostensibly supervising the project.

Barnard Miradi shuffles about in a robe and pink slippers as a

clueless Friar Laurence and Perris Weiland throws herself into the

role of the nurse, costumed in a 1940s-looking Red Cross outfit.

Travis Amman’s raincoat-clad Lord Capulet also is a hoot.

Actually, the costumes, by Dwight Richard Odle, and Tim Mueller’s

twin scenic designs are right on for the contrasting flavors of the

project. Donna Ruzika’s lighting and Dave Edwards’ sound design

(which includes elements of “Star Wars” and other popular melodies)

complete an impressive picture.

“Romeo and Juliet Together [and Alive!] at Last” is an ambitious

project wonderfully realized by a group of young performers, blending

tragedy and hilarity into a most impressive mix.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater.