Zane Trace Players' Wild West version of 'Romeo and Juliet' opens at The Renner

Contributed by the Zane Trace Players
·2 min read
Caleb Buck as Romeo and Allie Norman as Juliet in the Zane Trace Players production of "Romeo and Juliet."
Caleb Buck as Romeo and Allie Norman as Juliet in the Zane Trace Players production of "Romeo and Juliet."

ZANESVILLE — An innovative production of William Shakespeare's classic "Romeo and Juliet" is opening this weekend at the Renner Theater, 148 N. Seventh St.

The play by the Zane Trace Players will be performed at 8 p.m. June 10 to 11 and 17 to 18 and 2:30 p.m. June 12 and 19.

The tragedy tells the story of two young lovers from feuding families. In this retelling, director Shelley Tolliver has placed this story in the wild west at the turn of the century. The setting harkens back to the days of classic spaghetti westerns like "A Fistful of Dollars" and "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly."

“I was inspired by western films for the costuming and mannerisms of Team Montague,” said Tolliver. “For the Capulets, we’re bringing in Latin flavors a la classic Zorro movies to contrast the families. The villain in this tale is hate and the nurturing of it. The levels of misunderstandings and misfired good intentions only aid in the epic tragedy of this Shakespearean tale."

This production includes extensive fight scenes and stunts. Fight coordinator Jason Revennaugh has done fight choreography for other ZTP shows including "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe" and "Man of La Mancha."

A fight between the two families breaks out among the cast members of the Zane Trace Players production of "Romeo and Juliet" transported to the old west.
A fight between the two families breaks out among the cast members of the Zane Trace Players production of "Romeo and Juliet" transported to the old west.

Caleb Buck, a student at Philo High School, portrays Romeo Montague with Allie Norman of Tri-Valley High School as Juliet Capulet. The cast of more than 30 performers are predominantly under the age of 18 and come from various schools and communities around Muskingum County.

Others in the cast include Jon Kelty as Tybalt, Amelia Staffstall as Mercutio, Kasen Robinson as Benvolio, Ben Stemm as Paris, Jeanine Busey as the mayor, Ashley Scott as the doddering nurse, Kate Hoover as the chorus, Margi Wysong as Esperanza, Kevin McCarthy and Jessica Jewell leading House Capulet and Jay Shaffstall and Andrew Schmitt leading House Montague.

Tickets are available online at therenner.org or by calling 740-453-8481. Walk-ins are also welcome. Adults are $15, seniors are $12, students are $10, children are $5 with patrons free with membership.

This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Wild West version of 'Romeo and Juliet' opens at The Renner