The setting is a classroom that becomes Verona as a “lesson” given by a Prince of a teacher has her students becoming involved in an educational drama. Tyler Dobrowsky’s lively adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet fits well into a class period-time in schools throughout Florida, the main venues for an FSU/Asolo Conservatory tour. It’s helped immensely by youthful actors of the major characters and direction in tune with them. As justification for their rash fall into love, attractive, compelling Michael Judah and Jillian Cicalese in this adaptation barely exist individually until they meet and become the dominant couple. On the other hand, Joe Ferrarelli’s Tybalt and Jonathan Grunert’s Mercutio take over the “classroom” as longstanding quarreling opponents with immediate force. All handle their poetry as understandably as prose, setting a standard for their fellow actors/characters. Alex Pelletier easily converts from a stern teacher/Prince to Juliet’s Nurse, though she doesn’t act as traditionally bawdy as she does silly, especially in dress, hairdo, and makeup. Carla Corvo seems a bit young for Lady Capulet, who doesn’t have her hubby to bolster sternness. Concentrating on self interest seems her way of compensating. I didn’t miss Lord Capulet but wish Juliet’s intended spouse Paris had briefly appeared to help boost the Nurse’s urging Juliet to comply with her parents’ orders. Brian Richie as Friar Lawrence is a hippie guru more than a Catholic priest, but the audience full of millennials and younger in the first actual theater (not school) performance seemed to find him hilariously likable. The adapted text helps substantiate his changed character. Frank J. Paul’s clever scenic design has the classroom slate board swiftly and effectively projecting changes of setting throughout. The set never abandons the notion that the dramatic action teaches. Costumes immediately characterize their wearers. All other technical matters are handled appropriately and smoothly. This presentation will be made to about 15,000 viewers, mostly as FSU’s and Asolo Rep’s gift to students. They should find it as entertaining as educational.
