Romeo & Juliet
at Tesoro

Reviewed on November 19, 2015

Katya Beener
Fullerton Union
Submitted for publication to OC Register

Tesoro's ‘Romeo and Juliet' is to die for.

Katya Beener is a Senior at Fullerton Union High School

With a striking opening, strong technical elements, and powerful performances, Tesoro high school tackles the familiar classic of ‘Romeo and Juliet.'

Falling in love upon first glance, Romeo and Juliet become inseparable--presenting many issues as the two come from rival families. With the friar and nurse aiding them, the two awestruck lovers attempt to make a life together.

The entire cast takes advantage of comedic moments within the show. Adam Robinson as Mercutio employs this tactic phenomenally in his monologue about dreams. His physical energy and confident walk make this scene one of the most memorable.

Matching Adam Robinson's great energy is Matt Davies-Morris, as Romeo. As well as great physical language, Davies-Morris's delivery of lines has depth and complexity. Despite the difficult language of the show, he makes his intentions clear and easy to understand. With shaky hands and a youthful personality, Lexi Ginn as Juliet provides a great performance. Davies-Morris and Ginn compel the audience with their playful, energetic body language.

Some other standouts include Connor Vera, as friar Lawrence and Claudia Mansoory, as the nurse. Vera shows emotion and compassion to all characters in the show. His vocal inflections and clear expressions make it evident that he cares greatly about the townspeople. Mansoory's vocal variance and lively energy make her a relatable, motherly character.

The designers of the show decided on taking a classical approach in telling this tale. The costumes, designed by Lydia Lee and Kylie Quick, are extravagant and accurate to the time period. The color scheme separating the two families into red and blue aids in making the audience aware of what character belongs to which family as well as creates a sense of unity within the two families. Hair designers Abrianna Orbaker and Natalie Satarzadeh pay extreme attention to detail when creating elaborate designs for the wealthy characters and more subdued designs for the peasants.

Utilizing strobes to create dramatic moments and shadows to create stage pictures, the lighting, designed by Alli Berger, highlights important moments and greatly enhances the show. Shifts in intensity and color make the setting evident, along with the addition of a moon projected onto the back of the stage and a stain glass window every time characters are in the chapel.

The cast and crew of Tesoro high school's ‘Romeo and Juliet' work collectively to create and extremely impactful and entertaining production.

Jennifer Hardy
Capistrano Valley
Submitted for publication to OC Register

Tesoro's "Romeo and Juliet" is tragically beautiful

Jennifer Hardy is a junior at Capistrano Valley High School


Tesoro High School's dazzling production of "Romeo and Juliet" highlights the consequences of reckless bloodshed, hopeless romance, and unfounded hatred.

The cast fills their performances with incredible character choices, making each and every character distinct in their own way; Matt Davies-Morris and Lexi Ginn wonderfully capture the passionate exchanges between Romeo and Juliet, portraying the pair of star-crossed lovers beautifully as their feelings for one another remain secret in the midst of a deep-seated family rivalry. Ginn's young, bright energy blooms alongside Davies-Morris' dramatic, fervent demeanor as the two share kisses and make plans to marry, topped off with delightful comedic moments that breathe fresh air into the play.

Looking after Juliet is her Nurse, played by Claudia Mansoory, who steals the spotlight with her spectacular charm and her warm, prideful personality which compliments each character she performs with. Accompanying Romeo on his antics is Mercutio (Adam Robinson), who brings his monologues to life with exuberant movements and enthusiastic spirit, theatrically rattling off stories for his friends and dancing tauntingly around the concept of combat.

The technical crew's dedication and efforts shine brightly on stage alongside the performers. The versatile set, designed by Lexi Ginn, Winter Little, and Madi Stowe, transforms from Juliet's bedroom in one scene to a bustling party in the next. The Renaissance and Elizabethan inspired costumes designed by Lydia Lee and Kylie Quick accurately pinpoint the time period in which Romeo and Juliet takes place.

Lighting, led by Ally Berger, enhances the performance by creating strobe effects during the ominous opening sequence and projecting a vibrant shade of red onto the cyclorama during certain death scenes.

Tesoro High School's production of "Romeo and Juliet" is a refreshing, charming, and marvelous take on a timeless play.

Olivia Wolff
Capistrano Valley
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

Star-crossed Lovers at Tesoro High School

Olivia Wolff is a sophomore at Capistrano Valley High School

"Two households, both alike in dignity" dauntingly take the stage in Tesoro High School's production of Romeo and Juliet. Though a classic tragedy, Tesoro's modern take on the tale helps convey the message that was made for people hundreds of years ago, but is still relevant today.

Matt Davies-Morris is the charming Romeo, with his excellent use of voice variation and romantic gestures. Davies-Morris manages to beautifully jump back and forth between being happily in love, to being sad and heartbroken, creating depth to his character and helping the overall atmosphere of the play.

Juliet, Romeo's lover, is played by Lexi Ginn. Ginn marvelously executes the childlike, giddiness of the character, and manages to find the comedic relief in the tragic drama. Hands shaking and eyes sparkling, Ginn also manages to bring out the most dramatic parts of the play, contributing to the dark tone of the show.

With his charming smile and effortless movements, Mercutio, played by Adam Robinson, is the close friend of Romeo, who tells stories and takes pleasure in starting fights. Robinson displays excellent commitment, jumping on stools, dropping to his knees, even slamming his body down against the floor. Not only is he very physical, but Robinson manages to be verbally comedic as well, delivering his lines with a hearty, arrogant, chuckle.

The technical aspects of the show are executed beautifully. Lighting design by Ally Berger is very realistic. Even though the set was stationary, Berger manages to alter the lighting according to the time of day, and even succeeded in creating a realistic moon in the back of any scene taking place at night.

Costume design by Lydia Lee and Kylie Quick really add to the realism and time era of the play. With Romeo in red and Juliet in blue, Lee and Quick show the division between the two houses, brilliantly incorporating the very thing that's keeping them apart into their costumes.

Tesoro's brilliant production of "Romeo and Juliet" is a creative take on a classic piece and reminds audiences that even today, love can go a long way.