Romeo and Juliet
at St. Margaret's Episcopal

Reviewed on October 14, 2017

Alyssa Cook
Capistrano Valley
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

St. Margaret's presents the greatest love story ever told

St. Margaret's Episcopal School lays their scene in the fair, futuristic Verona. Their production of "Romeo and Juliet" puts a twist on the classic love story by setting it in a dystopian steampunk world.

The prologue immediately engages the audience, as the entire cast covers the stage. Speaking in unison with an eery, dismal tone, the ensemble establishes the dystopian setting and sets the stage for the tragedy to come.

Parker Ryan intrigues as Romeo, portraying his character with a sincere, youthful charm. Ryan shows Romeo's emotions through both his physicality and his voice. When excited, he never stops moving, but in his more dramatic moments, he is slow and grounded. Ryan has a strong tone of voice throughout most of the production, but his speech is notably lighter whenever he is talking about Juliet, and this subtle shift effectively expresses his character's love for her.

Airy and innocent, Katherine Sele's Juliet is the epitome of youth. Sele communicates her character's age especially well during the masquerade ball. She sits on the edge of the stage, slumping and looking down, as any awkward 13-year-old would. Sele's demeanor quickly changes when she meets Romeo, and she begins to stand up straight and use dainty, girlish gestures. Her performance as the pure, head-over-heels in love Juliet delights, but her performance in later scenes expresses raw emotion that is hard to come by from a high school actress.

Shakespeare's most famous tragedy allows two comedic characters to truly shine in their performances: Mercutio and the Nurse. Mercutio, played by Jacob Kuljis, swaggers across stage, delivering his lines with impeccable comedic timing and an engaging energy. Kuljis' immature persona and huge gestures create a stark contrast with his final scene, in which his dramatic death compels Romeo to slay Tybalt. The nurse, played by Anneka Miller, is the motherly figure that the naive Juliet desperately needs. With hilarious facial expressions and a variety of vocal inflections, Miller is able to both tease and comfort Juliet. Miller truly impresses in her reaction to Juliet's "death." Collapsing, crying, shaking, and sobbing, she demonstrates the deep affection that her character has for the girl.

The work of the actors, combined with the stunning hair and makeup design by Zoe Mellard, sheds new light on this Shakespearean classic, reimagining the woeful tale of Juliet and her Romeo.

Martin Perez
Aliso Niguel
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

St. Margaret's Revamps Romance in "Romeo and Juliet"
written by Martin Perez, a junior at Aliso Niguel High School

St. Margaret's Episcopal School reimagines the classic tale of Verona's star-crossed lovers in their steampunk rendition of William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet". Actors provide a fresh interpretation of this show by presenting it in a modern setting with a brand new look.

The star-crossed lovers Romeo (Parker Ryan) and Juliet (Katherine Sele) demonstrate the blossoming of their love as the play develops. Ryan speaks in a louder, more powerful voice which grows lighter and becomes softer as he begins to speak of Juliet, love taking over and making him more caring. Ryan's concerned facial expressions demonstrate his longing for Juliet as he watches her at the ball, seeing her gracefully dance around with her potential suitors. Sele's youthful spirit is clearly noticed in her innocent love for Romeo and her reliance on Nurse for guidance and comfort.

Powerful duo Mercutio (Jacob Kuljis) and Benvolio (Jaden Cloobeck) jokingly work together alongside Romeo as his closest friends. Kuljis's playful demeanor and excellent comedic timing add comedic relief as he pokes fun at Romeo, prancing around the stage and thrusting his hips exaggeratedly throughout his Queen Mab speech. Cloobeck acts more reasonably, attempting to maintain peace and helping advise Romeo through his troubles, demonstrating his caring manner towards others through his kind facial expressions. Mercutio and Benvolio light up the stage with their silliness, fooling around and bothering Romeo through their giddy attitude and dramatic movements.

The Nurse (Anneka Miller) portrays a maternal figure for Juliet through her romantic escapades with Romeo. Miller sobs loudly, her face contorted and her body shaking as she finds Juliet's presumably dead body, overcome by pain and sorrow as she discovers her dear child is dead.

Hair and makeup design by Zoe Mellard helps differentiate between the two fighting households through the use of different colors. Black cogs for the Montagues and red for the Capulets adorn the actor's faces, adding to the steampunk look of the show. Also, stage management by Stephanie Amoukhteh provides perfectly timed cues for scene changes, notably while Juliet's tomb is pulled out of the cemetery and as the door to the Apothecary's cell opens right after Romeo knocks, allowing for easy, fluid transitions.

Two households, both alike in dignity, work together in St. Margaret's steampunk version of "Romeo and Juliet" to vividly retell this classic tale of love and tragedy.

Devoree Shields
Mission Viejo
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

St. Margaret's metallic "Romeo and Juliet"
written by Devoree Shields, a senior at Mission Viejo High School

Shakespeare meets steampunk at St. Margaret's well-oiled production of "Romeo and Juliet." Focusing on the realities of hate as opposed to romance, Verona has been infected by a vicious feud, and society has begun to break down. In the midst of the violence, two lovers fall victim to the corrupt world they were born into and tragedy becomes the only remedy.

Katherine Sele as Juliet portrays the malleability of youth with her sweet demeanor and hesitant movements. Before drinking the poison, she radiates fear, clutching quivering hands desperately towards her chest. Accompanying her is Parker Ryan as the impulsive Romeo. Ryan walks with strong shoulders and urgency, his love for Juliet leaking through a wistful voice.

Garrett Higgins as Tybalt is shadowy and harsh with his iron stance. He stands out with excellent pacing and annunciation, allowing each threatening word to sink in. Jaden Cloobeck as the faithful Benvolio steals hearts with a sincere brow and genuine reactions. At Mercutio's death, Cloobeck's vulnerable inflections shift the fiery atmosphere to sorrow.

Dominating the stage is Blake Stevenson as Friar Lawrence and Anneka Miller as the Nurse. Stevenson is compelling with his earnest facial expressions and undeterred focus, portraying the Friar as vivacious and youthful. With fierce honesty, Miller is a force on stage. She conjures a maternal presence with an aged grimace and upturned nose, delivering lines with perfect comedic timing. However, the most moving moment of the production occurs as she cradles the cold Juliet in her arms. Miller holds nothing back in her heartbreaking sobs and grief stricken cries.

Zoe Mellard manufactures a dystopian atmosphere with exemplary hair and makeup designs. Her ideas are inventive and effective, using stencils to illustrate the division of houses. Red or black gears are placed on each actor's face, allowing room for subtle symbolism. Friar Lawrence (Blake Stevenson) holds one of each color, showing his alliance to both sides. Wanting to display Lady Capulet (Rachel Roy) in a sinister light, Mellard cleverly mimics devil horns with 1950's victory rolls; this short hairstyle is both powerful and elegant, illustrating status and dignity.

St. Margaret's twist on this legendary tale is industrial and impactful. The cast and crew are like clockwork, using a futuristic setting to teach modern day society about the destruction of hate.