Chicago Street Theatre Presents Shakespeare Classic Outdoors

Central Park Plaza was serenaded by the classic story of Romeo and Juliet with a modern twist on Friday night. Chicago Street Theatre put on an intriguing show for the third year in a row to anyone who wanted to stop by and enjoy some entertainment.

Downtown Valparaiso was buzzing as a red carpet was rolled out for guests as participants enjoyed snacks from vendors before the show started at dusk. The young actors and actresses of Chicago Street Theatre involved with a Shakespeare summer camp entertained the audience until the show began.

“The event initially came about as an idea my wife and I had as we were leaving CST and saw them building Central Park Plaza. We saw it as an incredible venue to give the gift of Shakespeare's work to the City of Valparaiso and host a large cultural arts event. We wanted Valparaiso to be on point with other hip metropolitan areas that have been providing free public performances of these classic works,” Director Eric Brant said.

This year's show took on a Japanese style for the timeless show of Romeo and Juliet. The stage bursted with colorful costumes and instead of the regular dagger, the characters performed the infamous sword fights with samurai swords.

Marcia Burbage, historian and member of the Theatre Guild since 1968, provided the ambiance with her lighting work.

“I designed the lights to work both at Central Park Plaza and then back at the theatre," she said. "I have always enjoyed fantasy and make believe. I am still a kid, so theatre is perfect for me.”

All of the classic characters were represented as they played the roles of the star crossed lovers with a modern day, manga twist.

“The most exciting part about this show is that since we are outside, there is going to be a wide range of audience. They’re expecting over 1,500 people, and I’ve never done anything in front of that many people before. It’s nerve-wrecking but also exciting,” said Tom O’Neil, who played the coveted role of Romeo Montague.

Much hard work was put into the set. The cast and crew built a set that not only could stand the outdoors, but one that can be easily taken apart and ready to be used for the next two weeks at the actual theatre.

“We take this event very seriously because it’s the best way we have to reach as many people as can that might not typically come out to an evening of theatre," said Tim Gleason, who played the role of the ruthless Tybalt Montague. "We want to get people excited about local theatre. This show has some excellent quality action, stunts and swordplay. I think people are going to be amazed by it."

Performing on Friday and Saturday at Central Park Plaza and then also at Chicago Street Theatre the next two weeks, the cast and crew of Romeo and Juliet showed off their versatility as they put on an elegant show in the park for all to enjoy.

“I really love the event because I love Shakespeare's work and the idea that his stories are so timeless that a director has the creative freedom to set the play just about any where. I also see it as an opportunity to be someone's first experience seeing and hearing these plays as they were intended rather than dissected and studied in a classroom,” Brant said.

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