Shakespeare in the park
While comedies are the usual fare for Hobnob Theatre Company's summer shows in the park, this year a romantic tragedy is on the schedule.
A clever cast of William Shakespeare's most popular characters is being brought to life for a two-weekend run in Preston Park beginning July 12.
Hobnob's Kenny and Liz Smith bring it all together with some interesting twists amid the flora and fauna.
“This show contains profound joy contrasted with dark intensity. In 'Romeo and Juliet,' Shakespeare beautifully conveys what it means to be alive,” said Shannon Donovan who is cast in the role of Juliet.
“By that I mean, these characters are fully loving, mourning, laughing, raging and growing — and to the extremes of each,” she said.
“I'm beyond grateful to be playing Juliet,” said Donovan. “Juliet has always been a dream role of mine since I was a girl. She is a passionate young girl with a 'bounty as boundless as the sea' and a 'love as deep,'” she added.
Donovan described her character as impulsive, headstrong and mature beyond her years.
“She has been forced to grow up quickly being surrounded in the world of feuding families and bloodshed,” Donovan explained.
In addition to playing Juliet, Donovan is also the fight director for the production, which is an extremely physical show.
“It was such a wonderful beast to choreograph,” she said.
The play begins with the entire cast involved in a town brawl, followed by multiple clashing sword fights and, of course, a tragic ending. “The cast has tackled the choreography beautifully and has been awesome to work with. Props and thanks to Daniel Williams (Tybalt), Kyle DePasquale (Romeo) and Matt Leslie (Mercutio),” said Donovan.
She said the opportunity to be involved in the show is bittersweet as it is the first time in seven years she's not directing the Summer Youth Production at the Butler Little Theatre.
“Being Juliet and the fight director/choreographer is an absolute dream,” said Donovan who now lives in Shadyside after graduating from Point Park University. She is attending graduate school for stage combat/fight directing.
In the traditionally male role of Benvolio for this show is a young woman, Taryn Pfeifer.
“A surprise we get to share with the audience is that the male Benvolio will be played by a woman this time. Differing from way back when men played all roles, even female, it's exciting to do a full 180,” said Pfeifer.
“Being that we added a female figure to Romeo's inner circle, it is exciting to be just one of the guys, but with a twist,” she said.
Also starring in the production are Dallas Hayes, Hailey Hermann, Elijah Errington, Jake Kyriazis, Jeff Carey, Alison Carey, Phil Ball, Bob Meals, Justin Macurdy, David Skeele, Lorraine Martin, Amy Cannard and Liz Flanders.
WHAT: “Romeo and Juliet”WHO: Hobnob Theatre CompanyWHEN: 6:30 p.m. July 12-14 and 19-21WHERE: Preston Park, 415 S. Eberhart RoadTICKETS: $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and younger, available at www.hobnobtheatre.com or at the park prior to performances. Take a chair or blanket for seating and some bug spray.
