Romeo and Juliet

Recycled Shakespeare Company to Perform Romeo and Juliet

It’s a tale as old as time, the star-crossed lovers who take their lives - Romeo and Juliet.  Although everyone is familiar with the plot, this story never grows old. Recycled Shakespeare Company (RSC) is celebrating its fifth season with this the greatest love story ever told.

Two indoor performances will be 7 p.m, Friday and Saturday, June 15 and 16, at Rita’s Catering Event Center, 220 Main Street, Waterville. In RSC tradition, for the best view and to be part of the action, pre-purchase a front row seat for a $10 tax deductible gift. These seats and your donations help RSC continue to offer the rest of the seats and outdoor shows free of charge. To reserve your front row seats please contact Lyn at 314-4730 or Emily at 314-8607 or email RecycledShakespeare@gmail.com.

Two open air performances are at 7 p.m., Saturday, June 23, in Castonguay Square, Waterville; and 2 p.m., Sunday, June 24, in the amphitheater at Coburn Park, Skowhegan. Bring a chair or blanket to enjoy Shakespeare the traditional way - by the light of day. Refreshments will be available at each show.

Under the direction of Joshua Fournier, the cast has worked tirelessly on a unique adaptation of Shakespeare’s famous lovers. Audiences will watch the story unfold as if for the first time when told from the prospective of aspiring playwright, Prunella Prologue (Katie Howes, of Windsor, who also served as assistant director). Will Prunella’s period costumes and simple scenery be able to convince the producers of Monty-Cap Productions that her new script has merit?

RSC is a non-profit community theater in Central Maine. Their mission is to perform free theater using recycled and repurposed materials and to make theater accessible to all. As part of this mission, everyone, of all ages and abilities, who wants a part gets a part.  Some members have been with the company since its beginnings in 2013, some seasoned actors, others brand new.

Fourteen year old Teya Bard, of Fairfield, stars at the same age as the title character, Juliet, acting alongside Murray Herard, of Winslow, as Romeo. Producer Emily Rowden Fournier, of Fairfield, has dreamt of playing Juliet’s Nurse since childhood. Returning cast members Ray Wing (Lord Capulet), Lynda Lemar (Gregory), and Debbie Achorn  (First Watchman and RSC’s illustrious stage manager), all of Waterville, and Natasha Jencks-Ayres (Princess), of Madison, are joined by this season’s new cast members N. Ryan Toothaker (Tybalt), of Waterville, Maria Wark (Sister Mary John), of Fairfield, and Janet Nadeau  (Balthazar/Petra), of Winslow. RSC’s long-distance actor Maureen Cullen, of Seabrook, Texas, is returning to Maine just to appear as Monty-Cap Producer Dr. Carrie Marcus.  After previous work with RSC, Angela Dunton and her daughter, Grace Dunton, both of Alaska, will be making cameos while on their visit in Maine. Loyal supporter of RSC, Alli MacDonald, of Belfast, is making her first on-stage appearance for a one show only as Sister Mary John in the Sunday performance. 

RSC has become family to many but to some it is truly a family affair. Leslie Page Jr. and his wife, Shana Page, both of Albion, play Abraham and Juliet’s mother while their son, Joseph E. Page takes on the role of Friar Laurence, and their daughter, Helena Page, serves both as assistant director and acts as Romeo’s cousin, Benvolio. Joanna Snell, of Strong, plays Lady Montague alongside her two children, Al and Bella Fernandez, who play Mercutio and Sampson. Another entire family group is RSC co-founder, Lyn Rowden, and  her husband, Joe Rowden, appearing onstage as Mrs. Richy Rich Producer and Lord Montague with their daughter Emily (Nurse) and son-in-law, Joshua Fournier, who plays Paris. Son, Christian, with his long-time friend Dustin Cadogan built the staging. To complete this family group, all from Fairfield, RSC members Aaron and Heather Rowden will sell concessions.

To learn more about RSC, inquire about upcoming events, and to find out how to join the cast and crew, please visit www.facebook.com/RecycledShakespeare or call 314-8607.