The excitement is building for Shakespeare's R & J

Tickets are already selling for Theatre VCU's first mainstage production of the 2011/12 season.

here's the lowdown:

Shakespeare’s R&J
Adapted by Joe Calarco
Female Cast Directed by Matt Johnson 
Male Cast Directed by Stephen Fried
Performed at the Raymond Hodges Theatre, VCU

Running time -  (only) 80 minutes
Female Cast - Sept. 29 • Oct.1 & 7 - 7:30 pm • Oct. 8 - 7:00 pm
Male Cast - Sept. 30 & Oct. 6 - 7:30 pm • Oct. 2 - 3:00 pm • Oct. 8 - 9:30 pm

Tickets: General Admission - $25.00 • Seniors, VCU Faculty & Staff - $20.00
VCU Students with Valid ID - $10.00 • Other Students with Valid ID – $15.00
MasterCard & Visa Accepted
High School Matinees - Oct. 4 Female cast - 10:00 am 
Oct. 5 Male cast - 10:00 am • All HS matinee tickets - $10

Six prep school students in a restrictive Catholic school discover a forbidden copy of Romeo & Juliet and are compelled by their curiosity to read the “sinful” play. In this refreshing production we experience them slip deeper into self-expression as they go from adolescent mocking to soulful re-enactment as the magic of Shakespeare takes hold. The rigidity of their lives begins to parallel the characters in the play as perceptions forever change, the fun of acting turns serious, and the words and meanings begin to hit home. Delving into Romeo & Juliet leads to the students’ exploration of gender roles, questions of sexual identity, and issues brought on by religious repression. Performed on alternate nights with two completely different casts, one male, one female. Running 80 minutes with no intermission.

The male cast director Stephen Fried’s recent work includes productions at Shakespeare Theatre of NJ, Trinity and Illinois Shakespeare Festivals. Matt Johnson, the female cast director, recently moved from the Cincinnati area where he served as the Associate Artistic Director for Cincinnati Shakespeare Company for the past 11 years.

Final Night!
October 8 - Buy one ticket and see second show for FREE!
Female cast  - 7:00 pm • Male cast - 9:00 pm
with one brief intermission between shows

Theatre VCU Box Office: 804-828-6026 • theatretix@vcu.edu • vcutheatre.showclix.com
Theatre VCU • Raymond Hodges Theatre
W.E. Singleton Performing Arts Center
922 Park Avenue, Richmond, VA 23284
David S. Leong, Theatre Department Chairman Website: www.vcu.edu/arts/theatre/dept