1. Art and Diseño

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2013–2014 META Board of Directors
Joe Bowen………………… President
Seth Fine……………… Vice-President Tania Kahlor……………… Treasurer
Karen Pauley……………… Secretary
Lonnie Graff…………………
Tammy Lanphere Oommen…
David Lorente………………
Karen Pollack………………
Director
Director
Director
Director
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l to r: Derek Laird, Katherine Fisher, Jim Gaudette, Peter Whited and Brandon Taitano
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Words by William Shakespeare | Music by Conrad Askland
Directed by Joe Bowen
Director’s Notes
It never ceases to amaze me. There you are in the auditorium,
and here we are, getting ready to perform a play that’s been
running for 400 years. If you put yourself in a time capsule, I
suspect you would emerge to find this show performing at a
theater in 2415. (I hope it’s the Lincoln). And if you were to ask
people why they came, the reasons will be familiar. We love the
romance and mystery of a bygone era. We love to ponder the
great recurring questions the Bard poses about human nature
and the element of tragedy. We secretly hope that the message
will get through this time, or that she’ll wake up sooner, or that the fathers will relent.
Most of all, we love this play. That’s why I chose to direct. I’m a theater fan first and
last, and I’ve just got to see Romeo and Juliet performed with music composed by
Conrad Askland, a timeless story told with the help of the universal language.
Yes it’s been a daunting challenge, but I’ve had my mighty and beloved “crew”
standing with me through it all. Most of us experienced Pan- The Musical, last year;
some of us were together for Fiddler on the Roof in 2009; a few of us performed in
and produced The King and I together, two of us go back to Paint Your Wagon, my
first musical, and two more back to 1994 with the second play performed here after
the Lincoln reopened. What a wild and wonderful ride it’s been. I can’t say enough
about these people, so help me show my appreciation for their beautiful and diverse
talents when you see them later. I thank my wonderful cast, and I especially thank
Conrad for the opportunity to direct another one of his beautifully composed shows.
You must be so curious to see if this will work, aren’t you? I’m told Shakespeare himself
had the same feeling the first time around, which is some comfort to me and Conrad.
That said, there’s nothing more to do but begin “the two hours traffic of our stage. . .” and
find out. Look for me in the lobby when we’re done and we’ll finish this conversation.
I dedicate my efforts here to my very own Juliet, who happens to be named Lindsey,
and my daughters Adia and Alexandra.
“For thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings,
That then I scorn to change my state with kings.” —Joe Bowen, Director
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Composer Notes
When META asked me to write a musical based on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet my
first order of business was to find the traditional musical version set to the bard’s original
words as a starting point. I was shocked, and am still shocked, to find that there is none.
In over 400 years no one has created an enduring musical theater version using only
Shakespeare’s original text.
As I did my personal cold reading of Shakespeare’s original text I was also shocked to find
that the language did not seem distant to me. It did not feel like language of a dead era. It
felt very contemporary, accessible and vibrant. For my taste, there was no need to “update”
Shakespeare’s original work. The epic task at hand, a game of sorts, was to keep the original
era from the Romeo and Juliet world premiere around 1597 and to set it to music using
only Shakespeare’s original text.
My first music sketch of RJ was written in late 2013 while walking the streets of Rome,
Athens and Messina. I do think this gave the original sketch a formal feel. Ironically, even
though I spent many hours hanging out with street musicians in Italy, there is very little
Italian influence on my interpretation. Personally, I don’t see the importance of the Italian
aspect of the story. I think the RJ story is universal and defies geographical boundaries.
While working on my original sketch I also went back and refreshed on the orchestration
techniques of Rimsky-Korsakov, Stravinsky, Prokofiev, Walter Piston and John Williams.
The complete sketch was written without key signatures to accommodate shifting key
centers. Much of the score is also written with double note time values; this to minimize
time signature changes and facilitate a streamlined composition process.
After the sketch was completed in Italy and Rome, orchestrations were completed in 2014
in Bermuda and New York between my performances with the Rock of Ages and Burn the
Floor shows. I like to think that the beaches and sunsets of Bermuda influenced my romantic
orchestrations and that the streets of New York influenced the hustle and bustle sections.
And finally, the show was completed in Mount Vernon, WA during rehearsals with the cast
and crew. I hope the love and the Pacific Northwest flair of our local Skagit County also
comes through for you in these performances.
You should know by now that what we are doing here has never been done successfully in
over 400 years. Let it be known, win or lose, that the great men and women of the North
will never be afraid to try and accomplish what others have said is impossible. Huzzah!
—Conrad Askland,
Composer
So proud of you Emma B… our almost teen!
Love, Mom and Dad
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Synopsis
ACT ONE
An ongoing feud between the Capulets and the Montagues breaks out again on the
streets of Verona. Both sides are warned by Prince Escalus that they must not disturb
the peace again, on pain of death.
Romeo, love-sick for Rosaline, is comforted by his friend Benvolio. Capulet tells Paris
that he may not marry his daughter Juliet until she is older. Romeo and his friends
learn of a party being held by the Capulets, and decide to go to it as masquers. At the
party, Tybalt sees Romeo, but is prevented from fighting him by Capulet. Romeo meets
Juliet, and they instantly fall in love. After leaving the party, Romeo eludes his friends,
returns to meet Juliet, and they exchange vows of love. Romeo tells Friar Laurence
what has happened and he consents to marry them.
ACT TWO
Benvolio tells Mercutio that Tybalt has sent Romeo a challenge. Romeo joins them, and
is visited by the Nurse, who is told the marriage plan. She tells Juliet, who then goes
to Friar Laurence’s cell, and the lovers are married. Tybalt, looking for Romeo, finds
Benvolio and Mercutio. Romeo returns, and is challenged by Tybalt, but refuses to
fight. Mercutio draws on Tybalt and is fatally wounded. Tybalt then fights with Romeo,
and is killed. Romeo flies, and Benvolio reports what has happened to the Prince, who
banishes Romeo. The Nurse tells Juliet of Romeo’s banishment and promises to bring
him to her. The Friar tells a distraught Romeo he is banished, but advises him to visit
Juliet secretly, then to leave for Mantua.
Capulet tells Paris he may marry Juliet in three days, and Lady Capulet brings the
news to Juliet, who has just bid Romeo a hasty farewell. Juliet refuses to marry Paris,
persisting in the face of her father’s anger. She goes to the Friar for help, and finds
Paris there arranging the marriage. After he leaves, the Friar devises a plan: he will
give her a drink that will make her appear dead and thus avoid the marriage, and will
write to Romeo to tell him; they can then elope to Mantua.
Juliet tells her father she will now marry Paris, and Capulet brings the wedding forward
to the next day. Juliet retires, and drinks the liquid. When her ‘body’ is discovered, all
mourn, and she is taken to the family crypt. In Mantua, Balthasar tells Romeo that
Juliet is dead. He vows to lie dead next to her that night, and obtains a poison from an
apothecary. Friar John tells Friar Laurence that he was unable to deliver Laurence’s
letter to Romeo. Realizing the danger, Laurence leaves to tell Juliet what has happened.
Paris goes to Juliet’s tomb to mourn her, and encounters Romeo. They fight, and Romeo
kills Paris. Romeo then drinks the poison and dies by Juliet. The Friar arrives to see Romeo
dead and Juliet waking. She refuses to leave, and kills herself with Romeo’s dagger. Officers
arrive, and rouse the families and the Prince. The Friar explains what has happened
which is corroborated with a letter by Romeo which is given by Balthasar to the Prince.
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Cast List
Principals
Juliet………………………………………………………… Katherine Fisher
Romeo…………………………………………………………… Dylan Kane
Friar Laurence…………………………………………………… Joe Johnson
Nurse………………………………………………………… Lindsey Bowen
Lord Capulet……………………………………………………… Peter Whited
Lady Capulet…………………………………………………… Karen Pollack
Benvolio………………………………………………… Alex Hollingsworth
Paris………………………………………………………… Waylon Johnson
Tybalt………………………………………………………… Nate Wheeler
Mercutio…………………………………………………… Mike M. Marlin Jr.
Prince Escalus…………………………………………………… Bruce Weech
Supporting Characters
Lord Montague……………………………………………… Brandon Taitano
Lady Montague……………………………………………… Tammy Lanphere
Chief Watchman and Sampson……………………………………… Mark Cronin
Balthasar………………………………………………………… Alexa Lane
Apothecary…………………………………………………… Mark Sampson
Page to Paris…………………………………………………… Moses Marlin
Rosaline and Juliet understudy……………………………………… Adia Bowen
Abram…………………………………………………………… Derek Laird
Gregory and Peter……………………………………………… Megan Harris
Aristocratic Maidens/Ballroom Dancers ……… Rachel Kirkpatrick,
Claire Andrews, Lacy Craig
Ladies in Waiting to Capulet……………… Grace Mitchell, Emma Gates
Sword Fighters/Montague Youth……… Claire Forsberg, Emma Berliner
Acknowledgements
Thank you to Mt. Vernon School District, Skagit Valley College, Mount Vernon High
School, Blade Chevrolet, Tru-Value Hardware and Ruth Haines.
l to r: Moses Marlin, Adia Bowen, Katherine Fisher and Waylon Johnson. Mike M. Marlin Jr.
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Production Crew
Director………………………………………………………………Joe Bowen
Music, Book and Orchestrations……………………………… Conrad Askland
Lyrics and Text…………………………………………… William Shakespeare
Assistant Directors……………………………… Tammy Lanphere and Seth Fine
Choreographer…………………………………………………… Glynna Goff
Stage Manager……………………………………………… Brooke Hofstetter
Dramaturg………………………………………………………… Carl Turner
Fight Choreography……………… Mike M. Marlin Jr., Joe Johnson and Joe Bowen
Fight Captains……………………………… Mike M. Marlin Jr. and Joe Johnson
Marketing………………………………………………………… Sara Fisher
Program Design…………………………… Barbara Fuller, Our House Publishing
Photographer…………………………………………………… Lindsey Bowen
Costume Designer…………………………………… Y’honatan Frakes-Helland
Costume Assistants………………………… Jeffrey Le Fleur and Tarryn Morrison
Hair………………………………………………………………… Lisa Lane
Live Sound Design………………………………………………… Kyle Blevins
Live Sound Mixing……………………………………………… Milton Grambo
Lighting Design and Operation……………………………………Don Willcuts
Technical Crew………………… Vianey Banuelos, Anika Pugmire, Divine Banks,
Hunter Listiak and Nathan Esskew
Custom Metal Work and Swords…………………………………… Peter Whited
School Show Coordinator………………………………………… Tania Kahlor
Props Mistress………………………………………………… Sandra Deasy
Set Design………………………………………………………… Bruce Weech
Set Construction………………………… Aviathar Pemberton, Mike M. Marlin Jr.
Musicians
Keyboard 1………………………………………………… Conrad Askland
Keyboard 2…………………………………………………… Lauren Lippens
Flute…………………………………………………………… Drew Shipman
Oboe…………………………………………………………… Rebecca Wright
Clarinet……………………………………………………………Barry Ulman
French Horn………………………………………………………Jim Gaudette
Trombone…………………………………………………………Rob Queisser
Guitar…………………………………………………………… Jeff Bradley
Bass…………………………………………………………… Peter Bridgman
Drums……………………………………………………………… C.J. Tveit
Break a Leg Alexa! We Love you.
Momma, Daddy, Grammy, Grampy & Pair-Pair
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Cast & Crew Bios
Photos courtesy of Lindsey Bowen
Juliet – Katherine Fisher
Katherine is a senior and Choir Club President at Oak Harbor High
School. Besides singing and acting, she enjoys playing violin, sailing,
and reading. Past roles include Rosalind in As You Like It (2014)
and Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2012).
Romeo – Dylan Kane
Dylan is a graduate of Western Washington University where he
studied a variety of acting techniques, voice, and classical guitar.
He was most recently heard as pit guitarist for The Mount Baker
Theater’s production of The Little Shop of Horrors.
Friar Laurence – Joe Johnson
Joe received his Bachelor’s in the Dramatic Arts from the University
of Washington.and performed with The New City Theater, The
Bathhouse Theatre, The Seattle Rep. and Idaho Shakespeare Festival.
He was last seen here at the Lincoln as Eddie in TAG’s Rocky Horror
Show. He is a founding member of the local cabaret group The Back
Alley Cats with his wife Leena Lamour.
Nurse – Lindsey Marie Bowen
Lindsey Marie Bowen is a 17 year veteran of the local stage who has
appeared in over 25 shows with varied roles such as Sally Bowles in
Cabaret, Miss Branigan in Back to the 80s, Lady Capulet in Romeo
and Juliet, Catherine in Proof, Glinda in The Wiz, Babe in Crimes
of the Heart, and Stella in A Streetcar Named Desire. Most recently
she directed The Outsiders for META.
Lord Capulet – Peter Whited
Peter Whited, is pleased to be involved in this year’s production
of Romeo and Juliet. Peter has been performing with META for
6 years, first in Pippi Longstocking, and most recently as Hook in
Pan the Musical. Residing in Mount Vernon, Washington, Peter
now enjoys his full-time pursuit and exploration of metal and
mixed-media art forms.
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Lady Capulet – Karen Pollack
Karen is an active veteran of local theater. Some of her favorite
roles have included Betty Haynes in TAG’s White Christmas, Mrs.
Darling in META’s Pan the Musical, Frenchie in NWART’s Cabaret,
and Miss Dorothy Brown in ACT’s Thoroughly Modern Millie. When
not onstage, Karen is busy teaching high school French in Edmonds.
She is also a member of META’s Board of Directors.
Paris – Waylon Johnson
Waylon is a long-time META veteran who appeared in such classics
as How to Eat Like a Child. He believes that “when you’re good at
something, explore it and give it everthing you have, otherwise it’s
not worth the extra second God took to give it to you.” He acts for
the “mixed feeling of fear and passion working in tandem to reach
the deepest and best parts” of himself.
Tybalt – Nate Wheeler
Nate Wheeler is fourteen years old and attends Immaculate
Conception Regional School in Mt. Vernon, Washington. He enjoys
writing and participating in theatre. This is his second performance
next to his supporting role in The Outsiders. He hopes to continue
acting with META and other local productions in the years to come.
Mercutio – Mike M. Marlin Jr.
This is Mike’s fourth time performing Romeo and Juliet for the stage
and he likes this one the best! He played Old Montague and the
servant Peter at the ripe age of 22 for Cornish College; Romeo for
the Seattle Fringe Festival; Tybalt at the Lincoln Theatre; Mercutio
for Shakespeare Northwest; and now Mercutio, for the second time,
in Conrad Askland’s dazzling musical interpretation.
Benvolio – Alex Hollingsworth
Alex played Phil Davis in TAG’s recent production of White
Christmas. He was found in the jungles of Eastern Europe as a
child where he performed with a group of juggling meerkats, and
his love of the performing arts has only grown from there! Sadly,
he never takes anything seriously.
Corpse Master, Director – Joe Bowen
Joe directed META’s Pan the Musical last year and Fiddler on the
Roof in 2009. A 22 year veteran of local theater, Joe is an attorney
married to Lindsey Bowen and proud father to daughters Adia
and Alex Bowen.
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Prince Escalus – Bruce Weech
Bruce is a professional Actor, Director, and Producer and last
appeared in the area as Rudolph Schultz in Cabaret. He has
appeared in a number of big studio films such as 21 and Over
and The Whole Truth and currently is Executive Producer and cast
member of the hit web series STILL. He lives with his wife Cat and
son Sean in Anacortes.
Lord Montague – Brandon Taitano
Brandon Taitano was born in Mount Vernon, WA and raised in
Guam. Burlington-Edison High School is his alma mater. Go Tigers!
He has been acting for two years and performed in Changeling,
Ticket Master and Early Demise.
Lady Montague – Tammy Lanphere
Tammy Lanphere Oommen (Assistant Director) has spent the last 19
years in local theater and 21 years in education for the Mount Vernon
School District. She has produced, directed and stage managed shows
dating back to the days of Northwest Children’s Theater. Tammy is
a META board member and proud to be serving the children and
families in the valley. She is extremely grateful to her husband for
supporting her while she is gone many evenings at rehearsals.
Chief Watchman and Sampson – Mark Cronin
Mark is a simple country boy that has always aspired to entertain.
Among the list of past accomplishments are Fiddler on the Roof,
Witches!, and Pan the Musical. He also sat in for the bass player
in a production with Jennifer Luv Hewitt and various Microsoft
commercials. Mark is a published children’s author and fledgling
metal artist striving to inspire and motivate creativity.
Gregory and Peter – Megan Harris
This is Megan’s second production with META and enjoys every
minute of it! She was a Lost Boy in PAN the musical. In her spare
time she voice acts on the internet and plays video games with her
boyfriend Derek who play Abrahm.
Balthasar, Montague Gang – Alexa Lane
Alexa Lane is 12 years old and has acted in other META productions
such as PAN the Musical, Babes in Toyland, and Oliver, as well as
working backstage for The Outsiders. She has had experience with
Conrad and Joe before in PAN the Musical and is excited to be
putting on another musical with the both of them.
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Apothecary – Mark Sampson
Mark started acting life with some small bit parts and extras
work in Melbourne Australia where he grew up. After a five year
successful professional motorcycle racing career Mark became
a pro triathlete and decided to travel to the US to pursue more
competition. He owns Sampson Transport and this will be Marks
first attempt at the stage.
Page to Paris – Moses Marlin
Moses M. Marlin made his stage debut as ‘the baby Arthur’ in
Northwest Children’s Theatre production of Celtic Tales at the
Lincoln Theatre in 2001. Since then Moses has taken bold steps
through ‘Riotous Youth’ Summer Camps with Shakespeare and
Company in Lenox, Massachusetts and to New York City where he
played the role of Caliban in The Tempest.
Rosaline and Juliet understudy – Adia Bowen
Adia has been in PAN the Musical, Rock Around the Block and
backstage tech for The Outsiders. She is very happy to attend her
14th play as Rosaline and understudy for Juliet. She enjoys playing
guitar and singing endlessly. She hopes to have many more roles
in the future.
Abram – Derek Laird
This is Derek’s second META production and he is excited to be
returning to play the part of Abram. Derek loves acting and getting
to meet new people through these wonderful productions, as well
as acting along side his girlfriend who plays Peter.
Maiden/Dancer – Rachel Kirkpatrick
Rachel Kirkpatrick is excited to be in another one of Conrad
Askland’s original musicals. Most recently she was involved in
Witches!, Secret Garden and PAN the Musical. In her spare time she
enjoys singing in choir and sleeping.
Maiden/Dancer – Claire Andrews
Claire Andrews has loved theatre since her first show, Babes in
Toyland. Romeo and Juliet will be her 15th show. She has worked
with Shakespeare Northwest, META, TAG and I Can Fly Productions.
Claire does cross-country, voice lessons and piano.
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Maiden/Dancer – Lacy Craig
This is Lacy Craig’s first META play. She loves to sing and act and loves
choir and band. And in the past has been in the Mount Baker Middle
school play Voices of the Children, based on pictures of children in third
world countries. She is very excited to do more plays and musicals and
feels lucky to have had such an amazing experience.
Lady in Waiting – Grace Mitchell
Grace Mitchell is very excited to be working with the amazing cast of
Romeo and Juliet. This is the second play she has done with META,
the first being PAN in which she played a Lost Boy. Grace has also
been in Beauty and the Beast and involved in ballet at Skagit Valley
Academy of Dance for the past twelve years.
Lady in Waiting – Emma Gates
Emma Gates (ensemble) is an exuberant 13 year old eighth grader
at Mount Baker Middle School. She loves to sing, play her ukulele,
and be onstage performing. Some of her past plays include Godspell
and The Secret Garden.
Montague Gang – Claire Forsberg
Claire is 18 years old, and lives in Bellingham. She currently attends
Whatcom Community College, where she has performed in several
plays. Claire enjoys playing fiddle music and soccer, and helping
produce homemade Shakespeare movies with her friends.
Fighter – Emma Berliner
Emma is thrilled to be back with her META family! She was last
seen as a Lost Boy in PAN the Musical. Emma would like to thank
Joe and Conrad for this opportunity to learn and perform, and her
parents for their ongoing support!
Assistant Director – Seth Fine
Seth Fine is working his third show from the production side. He
was an Assistant Director of Pan The Musical and Co-Producer of
The Outsiders. Before that, he performed in four shows with META.
He is Vice President of META. He has also performed with TAG,
WICCA, and Northwest Savoyards.
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Stage Manager – Brooke Hofstetter
Brooke Hofstetter has been community theater since 2011. She has
experience on stage as well as stage crew, hair and makeup, and
stage managing. She has been married to her husband Tony for 8
years and has 2 children, Ellie (5) and Lukas (2).
Choreographer – Glynna Goff
Glynna teaches dance at Fidalgo DanceWorks in Anacortes and
has studied with the Martha Graham School of Contemporary
Dance in New York and the Bella Lewitsky Dance Company in Long
Beach, CA. Glynna holds a B.A. from Chapman University and is a
graduate of the Professional Actor’s Conservatory.
Congratulations to the cast, crew, and volunteers of
Romeo and Juliet. Huzzah! —From Seth Fine, Assistant Director
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Utilities Management, Maintenance and Operations
PROUDLY SUPPORTS
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“Congratulations to the Cast and Crew of
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––Kelly Wynn, Manager
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About the Author
William Shakespeare (26 April 1564 (baptised)
– 23 April 1616) was an English poet, playwright,
and actor, widely regarded as the greatest writer in
the English language and the world’s pre-eminent
dramatist. He is often called England’s national poet
and the “Bard of Avon”. His extant works, including
some collaborations, consist of about 38 plays, 154
sonnets, two long narrative poems, and a few other
verses, the authorship of some of which is uncertain.
His plays have been translated into every major living
language and are performed more often than those
of any other playwright.[4]
Shakespeare was born and brought up in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Between 1585 and 1592, he began a successful career in London as an actor, writer, and
part-owner of a playing company called the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, later known as
the King’s Men. He appears to have retired to Stratford around 1613 at age 49, where he
died three years later. Few records of Shakespeare’s private life survive, and there has
been considerable speculation about such matters as his physical appearance, sexuality,
religious beliefs, and whether the works attributed to him were written by others.
Shakespeare produced most of his known work between 1589 and 1613. His early
plays were mainly comedies and histories and these works remain regarded as some
of the best work produced in these genres. He then wrote mainly tragedies until about
1608, including Hamlet, King Lear, Othello, and Macbeth, considered some of the finest
works in the English language. In his last phase, he wrote tragicomedies, also known
as romances, and collaborated with other playwrights.
In the 20th and 21st century, his work has been repeatedly adopted and rediscovered
by new movements in scholarship and performance. His plays remain highly popular
today and are constantly studied, performed, and reinterpreted in diverse cultural and
political contexts throughout the world.
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About the Composer
Romeo and Juliet is Conrad Askland’s third full length
musical. The first was Witches! the musical (2012- TAG), a
story of the Salem witch trials, and the second was PAN the
musical (2013 - META), a new musical of the Peter Pan story.
In January 2015 he was featured in the Oxford University
Press textbook Music Direction for the Stage by Joseph Church
and Disney lyricist Alan Menken. During 2014 he was music
director and keyboardist for Rock of Ages and Burn the Floor
out of New York with NCL International and from 2008-2012
he lived in Macau, China as music director and keyboardist performing over 1200
shows with the Cirque Du Soleil resident show ZAIA at the Venetian Macau.
Raised in Bellevue, WA, his first professional performances started at age 9 with Seattle
Opera in Tosca, Boris Gudonov, Tosca and later a lead role in Seattle Opera’s Amahl
and the Night Visitors. He also performed in many Seattle area straight plays, with
Seattle’s Cirque dinner theater and later as a pianist for Nordstrom at Bellevue Square.
He has studied music at Pacific Lutheran University, St. Olaf, University of Miami,
UCLA, Berklee online and most recently studies in human rights with Harvard online.
Other early music training includes music composition at Cornish, performances with
Seattle Symphony and European tours with the Northwest Boychoir, and performances
of J.S. Bach with George Shangrow’s Seattle Chamber Singers.
From 1989-2005 he worked as a hip hop music producer, audio engineer and chart
arranger for Road Records of Southern California. During this time he also taught
private piano, performed regularly at Knott’s Berry Farm (Calico Saloon and Bird
Cage Theatre), Hardriders southern rock tour of South Korea, touring keyboardist for
Grammy winner Freddy Fender of the Texas Tornados, music director for Hollywood
Superstars (Tokyo and Las Vegas) and many years with Roy Roger’s Jr. and Sons of
the Pioneers.
After this run he will return to New York as music director and keyboardist for Rock
of Ages with NCL international, then back to the Lincoln Theater in October 2015 as
bandleader for TAG’s Rocky Horror Show (auditions June 2015).
Future plans include a new musical thriller premiering here at the Lincoln Theatre in
October 2016 (Auditions June 2016). If you would like to be involved in future original
shows by Askland in the cast or production team - email [email protected] or visit
www.ConradAskland.com for audition notices.
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left to right: Mark Cronin, Alexa Lane, Brandon Taitano.
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Shakespeare’s original RJ
versus
C. L. Askland’s RJ musical
THE FACTS
• What are the number of lines that are different from Shakespeare’s original
text? Apart from the short Prologue, only Three Words (That’s correct: Three WORDS
only) - Two words out of current common use were updated to common modern words,
and a third word added to a sentence for clarity.
• How much of this musical’s text follows Shakespeare’s original chronological
order? 99% (A flashback scene was added for clarity, tension and traditional musical
theater form).
• How many of the lines have been assigned to different characters versus
Shakespeare’s original? Approximately 8 lines. Same text as original but the musical
assigns a few lines to different characters for interest and clarity.
• How long did it take Shakespeare to write the original RJ text versus time to write
this musical? Accounts vary, but at most Shakespeare took three years between 1593-1596.
Most probably the bard wrote RJ between 1594 and 1595, so around a year or so. This
musical was started in November 2013 and finished in January 2015; a little over a year.
• What character names are changed in this musical from the original? None,
except in the script we refer to the Narrator as the “Corpse Master”. The Corpse Master
is a narrator character reprised from Askland’s first full length musical, “Witches!”.
• How many musical renditions are there of Romeo and Juliet? Hundreds. Most
notable of the same name is the Tchaikovsky ballet, the Prokofiev ballet and orchestral
suite, Gounod’s french opera, Berlioz’ symphony, several movie versions and of course
West Side Story which is an updated version of the original RJ story.
• How many successful musicals have been performed using only Shakespeare’s
original RJ text? None. It has been attempted many times, but we have found no
successful musical theater run using only Shakespeare’s original text. If this show moves on
to a professional run that is well received by audiences and critics, then to our knowledge,
it will be the first time this has been accomplished in over 400 years. Huzzah!
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Shakespeare’s original Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare early in his career about
two young star-crossed lovers whose deaths ultimately reconcile their feuding families.
It was among Shakespeare’s most popular plays during his lifetime and, along with
Hamlet, is one of his most frequently performed plays. Today, the title characters are
regarded as archetypal young lovers.
Romeo and Juliet belongs to a tradition of tragic romances stretching back to antiquity.
Its plot is based on an Italian tale, translated into verse as The Tragical History of
Romeus and Juliet by Arthur Brooke in 1562 and retold in prose in Palace of Pleasure
by William Painter in 1567. Shakespeare borrowed heavily from both but, to expand
the plot, developed supporting characters, particularly Mercutio and Paris. Believed
to have been written between 1591 and 1595, the play was first published in a quarto
version in 1597. This text was of poor quality, and later editions corrected it, bringing
it more in line with Shakespeare’s original.
Shakespeare’s use of his poetic dramatic structure, especially effects such as switching
between comedy and tragedy to heighten tension, his expansion of minor characters,
and his use of sub-plots to embellish the story, has been praised as an early sign of
his dramatic skill. The play ascribes different poetic forms to different characters,
sometimes changing the form as the character develops. Romeo, for example, grows
more adept at the sonnet over the course of the play.
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