Romeo and Juliet
at Brethren Christian High School

Reviewed on November 16, 2013

Dakota Hill
Pacifica High School
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

Cappie review for Brethren Christian "Romeo and Juliet"

Brethren Christian's tale of love and death
for the Orange County Register

by DAKOTA HILL

Dakota Hillis a senior at Pacifica High School in Garden Grove


"Romeo and Juliet," an iconic tragedy, in fair Brethren Christian High School, where we lay our scene. With the enduring cooperation, these strong players elegantly tackle this iambic pentameter masterpiece.

Cole Fencl and Ashley Thinnsen are the two star crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet respectively. With clear and sweet diction, Thinnsen charms the audience as well as her Romeo. Fencl naturally develops his character through adolescent mood swings and doe eyed serenity when his eyes lay on Juliet. However, the duo truly flourish during believable interactions with each other. From their first encounter at the dance to their final words, each moment together is a well-developed expression of blossoming love.

Matthew Holevas portrays the saucy Mercutio. Holevas captivates the audience by using his entire body to emphasize the meaning and humor in his lines. His suggestive gestures and precision delivery would effortlessly make even the Bard himself burst into laughter. Aiding in the overall quality, Jordan Thomas stays focused as Nurse. As she holds her aching back and weeps for Juliet, she is the epitome of the dedication the cast members bring to the show.

While some of the actors struggle with adding vocal variety to their characters, Seth Kennard, as the forceful Lord Capulet, uses his gruff voice to clearly show his transition from aggression to fatherly care smoothly. Quinton Fults, featured as Prince Escalus, utilizes his deep booming voice and intimidating demeanor to command the stage as soon as he walks on.

The lighting, designed by Erik Alkire, is brilliant. Using simple colors, Alkire creates a flowing environment. His use of warm colors makes Juliet look angelic in the classic balcony scene. In contrast, cooler colors bring out the melancholy of Romeo's soliloquies. Alkire excels far beyond the task of providing an evenly lit stage by utilizing lighting to strongly evoke the mood and emotion of each scene.

The entire ensemble works together to deliver new life to this time-honored script. For never was a production of more joy, than this of Brethren Christian High School's beautifully executed "Romeo and Juliet."

Sabrina Thompson
Pacifica High School
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

Cappie review for Brethren Christian "Romeo and Juliet"

A Fantastic Tale of Forbidden Love
for the Orange County Register

by SABRINA THOMPSON

Sabrina Thompson is a junior at Pacifica High School in Garden Grove

A tug on the heart strings is nothing compared to the love and passion showed by the cast of Romeo and Juliet at Brethren Christian High School. The tragic tale of two star crossed lovers is brought to life. Managing to bring the sorrow, passion, and the comedy in this classic Shakespearean play, audience members become enchanted by the cast's portrayal of well-known and beloved characters.

Within the first few minutes of the play, Romeo (Cole Fencl) establishes himself as a love struck young man. Fencl's representation of one of the two lovers is something admiring and entrancing. His varying ways of facial expressions give light to the passionate moments, in every moment of speaking to Juliet, or in the distraught moments, in which the audience watches his face fade into sorrowful expression upon learning that Juliet is dead.

Doe-eyed Ashley Thinnsen brings a youthful innocence to Juliet in her interactions with both her lover and her Nurse. In speaking to the Nurse of her plans of marriage Thinnsen shows the connection Juliet and her confidante share. The adoration she has for the young Romeo is put forth by not only the lines she speaks, but the way she speaks them; a youth's eyesight in both. Thinnsen's fluidity with the language enhances the feelings she has for her Romeo.

Bringing some comedy into the tragedy, Juliet's Nurse (Jordan Thomas) and Romeo's good friend Mercutio (Matthew Holevas), have the audience doubling over with laughter. Through delightful physicality, the audience grasps the jokes that may otherwise have been lost in the language. Thomas's nurturing voice and playful interactions with Juliet define her character as one of Shakespeare's great comic reliefs. Mercutio provides a more masculine sense of comedy. Holevas enhances Mercutio with a natural storyteller's ability. In talking of dreams Holevas physicality lends itself to the understanding and over all hilarity of the story.

The cast's familiarity with a difficult language, as Shakespeare often seems to be, was almost always on point. The ease at which they spoke provides audience members with a clear understanding of the story.

Whether by fate or circumstance these two lover's tale is unforgettable, much like the performance done by the astounding cast of Romeo and Juliet at Brethren Christian High School.

Christa Pehrson
University High School
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

Cappie review for Brethren Christian "Romeo and Juliet"

Star-crossed lovers challenge the world in Romeo and Juliet
for the Orange County Cappies Facebook

by CHRISTA PEHRSON

Christa Pehrson is a sophomore at University High School in Irvine

Star-crossed lovers, comedic characters, and lights that portray feeling and emotion are all play a role in Brethren Christian's production of Romeo and Juliet. Told through traditional Shakespearean pentameter, this classic tale narrates how two rival families, the Montagues and the Capulets, are united through the everlasting love of their children, Romeo (Cole Fencl) and Juliet (Ashley Thinnsen). The cast has a perfect balance between comedy and tragedy to keep audience members on their toes waiting anxiously to see what happens next.
The lovers Romeo and Juliet portray their love for each other through their vocal variety as well as their facial expressions. When Romeo (Cole Fencl) is confessing his love to Juliet (Ashley Thinnsen) he uses varied volumes and different types of vocal expression which help convey his love for Juliet. Fencl's top notch diction is clear and easy to understand so audience members are tuned in and engaged throughout the performance. As well as diction, Fencl also uses facial expressions to convey emotion. When Friar Lawrence (Spencer Otte) delivers the news the Juliet is dead, Fencl's wide grin fades to a look of utter tragedy and shock causing audience members to feel his emotional pain. Fencl truly brings Romeo to life, making him a dynamic character that ties the story together.
Mercutio (Matthew Holevas) brings comic relief to the tragic tale at all times. During the fight scene between Tybalt and Mercutio, Holevas still uses his comedic timing impeccably making the serious fighting scenes lighter and more enjoyable. Even after Mercutio is stabbed by Tybalt, Holevas manages to balance Mercutio's pain but still keeping up his witty character.
Lighting designer Erik Alkire truly brings feeling and emotion to the scenes through different lighting colors. During the balcony scene, a pink light is shining from behind Juliet giving the illusion that love is in the air. While pink is used for love, a dark blue is used for death and tragedy. After Romeo and Juliet die for true love, the lights slowly shift from a light amber to a dark blue symbolizing death and sadness. Alkire is consistent in his lighting design which adds to the emotion and meaning of the scene.
Brethren Christian's Romeo and Juliet, tells the iconic love story of the star-crossed lovers leaving audience members assured that love can exist, even in the worst of times.