Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival has delivered a fresh and dynamic take on Shakespeare’s classic “Romeo and Juliet,” that is accessible and satisfying.
PSF gives the romantic tragedy a funky stylistic update that melds perfectly with the story of a forbidden love set against a nameless feud that violently divides the residents of Verona.
“Romeo and Juliet” continues through July 29 at the Main Stage Theatre, Labuda Center for the Performing Arts, DeSales University, 2755 Station Avenue, Center Valley.
From the set that employs neon lights and tattoo-inspired designs to the brightly-hued eye-catching costumes to the clever use of music, this production feels contemporary while stile staying true to Shakespeare’s traditional language. In fact, I feel the musicality of the production emphasizes the rhythm of Shakespeare’s use of iambic pentameter.
Austin Nedrow is raw and passionate as the love-lorn Romeo. His portrayal seems, at times, it will be over-the-top, but then Nedrow pulls it back to give us a Romeo who is authentic and brimming with youthful emotion. He also sings sweetly accompanying himself on guitar.
As the 13-year-old Juliet, Maya Jean is a bit more restrained and deliberate. Her portrayal exudes a childlike earnestness, tempered with prudent awareness. She also has the chance to sing and has a pleasing voice.
Nedrow and Jean have good chemistry together and their ultimate despair is heartbreaking.
Suzanne O’Donnell is delightfully sly and sublimely humorous as Juliet’s nurse. She flirts outrageously, playfully teases Juliet and makes the most of her position, even challenging her employer at one point.
Maboud Ebrahimzadeh takes the thankless role of Juliet’s domineering father and transforms it into a portrait of a truly loving father who is out of his element trying to deal with a headstrong daughter. His final grief rings painfully true.
Mark Yowakim’s hot-headed Mercutio is charismatic and brash. He and Arrainna Daniels’ cautious Benvolio complement each other well.
Cassia Thompson is memorably extravagant as Lady Capulet.
Ian Merrill Peakes and Karen Peakes have an easygoing confidence as Romeo’s indulgent parents.
Eli Lynn lends an unyielding sense of authority as Prince Escalus, while Doug Hara is warmly benevolent and sympathetic to the lovers’ plight as Friar Lawrence.
Jason King Jones’ direction is tight and clean, with action moving forward briskly.
Brian Sidney Bembridge’s single set cleverly transformed through lighting and set pieces, from a sunny square in Verona, to Juliet’s moonlit balcony to a cavernous tomb. Props to sound designer David M. Greenberg for the echo-ey soundscape.
Costume designer Nancy L. Leary created a wardrobe that felt contemporary but was in a world of its own, with brightly colored suits for the adults and more grungy slashed designs for the younger generation.
Meet the actors for a talk-back after the July 30 performance.
There is a performance featuring audio-described for the blind or visually-impaired and open captioning for deaf or hard-of-hearing performance, 2 p.m. July 25.
The creative team includes Brian Sidney Bembridge as scenic designer; Nancy L. Leary as costume designer; Thom Weaver as lighting designer; David M. Greenberg as sound designer and Cedric Lamar as composer.
“Romeo and Juliet” will play in repertory with “Ken Ludwig’s Moriarty,” which runs July 16 to Aug. 1.
Repertory means the two shows will be performed by some of the same cast on the same stage on alternating days.
“Romeo and Juliet” is recommended for ages 12 and up.
Performances are 7:30 p.m. July 15, 22, 24, 28 and Aug. 1; 6:30 p.m. July 14; and 2 p.m. July 19, 25 and 29.
For information, call 610-282-9455, or go to pashakespeare.org/.