As the 108 students who were involved with the production of Romeo and Juliet settle into life after production week, students react to an up-close look into Shakespeare. All students read Romeo and Juliet during their freshman year, but seeing it on the stage can be much more fulfilling. Students as well as teachers are still excited over the production. Across the board, students and teachers were more than willing to sing the praises of the 2013 fall show.
Nancy O’Brien, a retired English teacher and now long-term substitute in the Social Studies department, loved that there was an in-school assembly for the show.
“I loved it. I thought the production was fabulous, the kids did a great job, and I was really happy to see an all-school assembly where kids could appreciate what their classmates were doing. I hope for more,” said O’Brien.
Senior Caroline Reusch, a participant in the Drama Club’s musicals, agreed.
“I thought it was terrific, I loved it. The leads were amazing and it was a great rendition. I liked that it was an in-school thing, it gave students a chance to see what drama does and how hard they work,” she said.
Many students loved that they got to see their friends, classmates and teammates in a whole new setting. Junior Tyler Zell was one of the most vocal on the topic.
“The ORRHS drama club production of Romeo and Juliet was absolutely phenomenal. I enjoyed seeing my great friend and mentor Dan Donahue work his magnificent acting skills upon the stage of the auditorium, where legends are made. The production was absolutely spectacular. Paul really knows how to put on a great show. I am very glad that I got to watch the play with my great friends and classmates. I would like to thank the drama club for an amazing production,” said Zell.
Not only was it special for students and teachers to see their classmates on the stage (or helping tech the show), but it was also special that we all read or will be reading the play.
Isabelle Gillis, a senior, thought there was a world of difference between reading and seeing.
“The production was really good, as the drama club productions are always, but it was fun because you got to see the play as opposed to just reading it. When reading Shakespeare you don’t always fully understand, but when I saw the play I could really get what was going on and you could understand the language a lot more,” she said.
Latin teacher Judith Pretat, who commuted from Rhode Island to see the show, was impressed.
“First of all, I thought that Paul was ingenious in his staging. With all those set changes it ran so smoothly; I couldn’t believe it. Romeo and Juliet were such a perfect pair, and Juliet played it as a 14-year-old girl and it was so refreshing to see that interpretation as opposed to the dramatic interpretation. I really enjoyed it,” said Pretat.
By Jessica Correia
