By Magdalene Krzeczkowski
General Editor
Over the weekend of March 27-29, Franciscan students and local families crowded into the Sycamore Center to behold the exciting tale of “a pair of star-cross’d lovers” — Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.
The play was directed by Naedia McCann, a sophomore at West Virginia Northern University. McCann studies software engineering and teaches IT at the Weirton public library — but she also loves Shakespeare. When she found that there were no public theatre opportunities for the Bard’s work, she decided to create her own by putting on Romeo and Juliet.
Taking inspiration from the 2013 Broadway musical version of the story, which starred Orlando Bloom and Condola Rashad in the title roles, McCann chose a more modern setting for the tale. Rather than appearing in renaissance attire, the characters took the audience back to the 70s with denim, leather jackets, tie-dye and disco.
The stellar cast included several Franciscan students, siblings of students, and even children of university faculty. The supporting actors and actresses played their roles to perfection, providing an excellent backdrop to the principals.
Thaddeus Federoff brought Romeo to life, powerfully expressing passionate love, devoted friendship and heroic courage. Mary Rankin, starring opposite him as the fair Juliet, presented a moving portrayal of a girl divided between loyalty to her family and love for the rival heir.
Pier Giorgio Asci and Christianna Rivers provided enormous comic relief as Friar Lawrence and Juliet’s nurse, respectively, and Joseph Wingerter did his utmost to ensure his friends’ happiness and wellbeing as Benvolio.
Dante Robezzoli (Mercutio), Peter Wingerter (Tybalt) and Emmanuel Pacas (Paris) performed their respective death scenes with admirable panache and flair. Franciscan student Christopher Miller even made an appearance as the DJ at the Capulets’ party.
Stunning dueling choreography, dramatic confrontations, witty humor and emotional death scenes prompted a standing ovation at the conclusion of the performance. Audience members of all ages went wild during the curtain call, a testament to the enduring power of Shakespeare’s work.
In McCann’s words, “Whether you’re the cynic, the critic, or the hopeless romantic, Shakespeare has something in Romeo and Juliet for you.”