Romeo and Juliet opens June 18

Riverside – Romeo and Juliet, written by William Shakespeare and directed by Ron Clark, will open at the Riverside Theatre Shakespeare Festival on June 18.

The world’s most enduring love story, Romeo and Juliet tells the story of young lovers caught between feuding families. Romeo and Juliet desperately struggle to be together, but their love races toward a final confrontation with fate. Clark, a co-founder of Riverside Theatre and the company’s production manager and resident artist, says that this year’s production is filled with action, passion, swordplay, dance and a new musical score.

Romeo and Juliet features Andrew Truschinski as Romeo and Cristina Panfilio as Juliet. Parents of the star-crossed lovers are portrayed by Dan Stearns as Lord Montague, Mallory Raven-Ellen Backstrom as Lady Montague, Tim Budd as Lord Capulet, and Kalen Harriman as Lady Capulet. Romeo’s friends Mercutio and Benvolio are played by Michael Daniel Anderson and Michael Perez, respectively. Playing the part of Tybalt, enemy to Romeo and his companions, is Zachary Andrews. The part of Paris, the wishful suitor to Juliet, is played by David Tull. The Nurse and Prince Escalus are portrayed by Riverside co-founders Jody Hovland and Ron Clark, respectively. Friar Lawrence is played by Patrick DuLaney and Friar John is played by Benjamin Koehler. Servingmen Sampson, Gregory, and Peter are played by Nathan George, Chad Bay, and Dennis Florine, respectively. Two other servingmen, Abram and Balthasar, are played by Ayana Atiba Sahar.

The costumes are designed by Renee Garcia, scenic and lighting design by Paul Sannerud, original music and sound design by Timothy Munger.

Audience members are invited to bring a blanket and enjoy a picnic in City Park before the show. Concession items are available at the box office before curtain and during intermission. One hour before each main stage performance, patrons may gather at the Green Show stage (located next to the pavilion) to brush up on the plot of that night’s play with original story theatre versions of the evening’s play performed by the Festival Intern Company.

Patrons are also invited to take advantage of Family Night discounts. On Family Nights, up to two adults accompanying a youth (18 or younger) will receive their tickets at the $15 youth price. A Family Night performance for Romeo and Juliet is scheduled for June 29; Family Nights on June 22 and July 6 will feature Love’s Labour’s Lost. Family Night shows begin at 7 p.m.

For more information, call the box office at (319) 338-7672 or visit www.riversidetheatre.org.