The Public Theatre of Kentucky is busy bringing one of the world’s favorite stories to the stage at the Phoenix Theatre. Romeo & Juliet will be presented January 28 – February 13, 2011. Performances are Thursdays at 7:00 pm, Friday and Saturdays at 8:00 pm and Sundays at 3:00 pm. All performances will be held at the Phoenix Theatre at 545 Morris Alley in downtown Bowling Green. Tickets are $13 for adults, and $10 for seniors and students. Reservations and additional information may be obtained by calling (270) 781-6233 or visiting our website at www.ptkbg.org.

ABOUT ROMEO & JULIET: Romeo & Juliet is one of the most famous plays of all times. It is a beautiful tale of love which reaches across generations and speaks to countless audiences. Everyone reads it in high school because it is a great story to introduce anyone to live theatre.

“Shakespeare’s timeless love story is still relevant and wonderful to watch today,” says the show’s guest director, Melissa Ricketts from Asheville, North Carolina. “The cast has easily found powerful relationships that mirror current society. Audiences are often worried about the language, but these actors are so physical we hope the audience will quickly forget a few ‘thees’ and ‘thous.’ The show is eighty percent fun and love and twenty percent tragedy.”

Mardi Gras 2011 is the setting for the show – where else, but in New Orleans? “The set, costumes and music will reflect the party atmosphere and should keep audiences laughing and waiting to see what happens next,” says Ricketts who is also the costume and scenic designer. The talented cast will also put the audience on the edge of their seats with suspenseful fights choreographed by Hannah Hadley. Western Kentucky faculty member Andy Duff has enhanced the varying moods through his lighting design, while Brandon Bradshaw has created a score that ranges from Dixieland jazz to modern songs.

Ricketts, who works in theatres all over the southeast says, “The Phoenix Theatre is a jewel hidden in the middle of Bowling Green. The intimate space allows you to see, feel and experience the show the way no movie will allow you to do. These actors will make you alternately laugh and cringe as they run right past you after a major party or fight scene.”

The cast includes wonderful veterans of the Public Theatre mainstage as well as some new young performers. They are Jay Thomas (Romeo), Grace Wilson (Juliet), Jamie Lopez (Mercutio), Bill Green (Capulet), Shanda Packard (Lady Capulet), Brandon Bradshaw (Father Lawerence), Melissa Rudloff (Nurse), Chris Baker (Tybalt), Benvolio (Nick Gossett), Jeff Beard (Prince),

Hannah Hadley (Chorus), Julia Gensheimer (Chorus), Noah Rudloff (Peter). The stage managers are Jessica Basham and Becca Trimbur. The light board operator is Andrew Mertz.

January 28th the Public Theatre of Kentucky’s Board of Directors will host a Mardi Gras themed opening night reception. Make your reservations now and enjoy the party favors, food and drinks for free!

The Public Theatre of Kentucky is a non-profit theatre organization operating with funds provided by businesses and individual supporters as well as a generous grant from the Kentucky Arts Council. The theatre is handicapped-accessible. All activities, services, and programs are presented to all persons with no regard to race, color, creed, age, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. For nineteen seasons, PTK has worked to enrich the Western Kentucky Region by providing quality theatre and education. PTK performs four to six Mainstage productions a season, offers theatre classes and a summer camp for youth ages 8-18 through the Sunburst Youth Theatre, hosts local bands that perform in the After Hours Series, and exhibits artists’ work in the lobby gallery.

THEATRE LISTING:

Romeo & Juliet. The Public Theatre of Kentucky William Shakespeare’s timeless classic. Performances are January 28 – February 13 – Thursdays at 7:00 pm, Friday and Saturdays at 8:00 pm and Sundays at 3:00 pm. Tickets are $13 for adults and $10 for seniors and students. All performances will be at the Phoenix Theatre at 545 Morris Alley Bowling Green, Kentucky (off Chestnut Street one block from the square). Tickets and information: (270) 781-6233 or www.ptkbg.org.