Triad Theatre Company (TTC) will present William Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet at Curtain Call Theatre (CCT) in Braintree, MA, on September 20, 21, 27 & 28 at 7:30 PM and September 22 & 29 at 2:00 PM.
TTC’s “Romeo & Juliet,” as many people know, is the ultimate love story of two young lovers torn apart by feuding families. But what makes this production extra special is that it is led, both on and off the stage, by many strong, educated, talented, and passionate women. Among these remarkable women is the play’s director, Allison Foster, whose vision for the show has made the story relevant for today’s audience.
Foster shares, “I am so excited to work with such a talented and creative team of people at Triad Theatre Company. Together, we bring to life what this story would look like in a modern coastal town in New England and examine what certain characters – like Friar Lawrence and the Prince – would be like in today’s world. I’m particularly grateful to be working with this diverse group of actors who are committed to fully realizing this age-old story. Our version of “Romeo & Juliet” is heartwarming and equally heartbreaking.”
Said TTC’s Founding Director Toni Ruscio, “I absolutely adore Allison’s vision for this this show. It’s perfect for this time of year in New England. It’s also very relevant and very relatable for people ages 12 and up.”
She continues, “In our production, I play Lady Capulet, who I believe is often misunderstood. So many people have described her as timid, ignorant, selfish, and frightened of her husband. People have argued she does not love her daughter like a mother should. But I disagree. Lady Capulet is so emotionally complex; she is smart, strong-willed, and passionate. Her relationship with her daughter is a typical mother-daughter relationship, filled with both love and angst. Her relationship with her husband? Well, like many marriages, it is spirited and complicated, but there is also love there.”
The cast is led by actor Meg Dillingham McCullough who plays Juliet. McCullough is returning to the stage after taking time off to focus on college. In fact, she is currently pursuing a PhD at Harvard University in Systems, Synthetic, and Quantitative Biology. In a recent interview, she said, “I study a protein called p53, which often doesn’t work properly in cancer cells. For my thesis, I’m exploring what happens to cancer cells when functional p53 is added back to those that lack the protein.”
About her return to the stage, McCullough says, “I’ve been eager to return to the stage, and I couldn’t be more excited for my first role back to be Juliet. This modern-day adaptation of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ has brought another dimension to her character, and I’m particularly excited about the dynamics between Juliet and her family that have developed in our production. It’s an honor to bring such an iconic character to life, and I am so grateful to share this journey with such an incredibly talented cast!”
Michael Mazzone, who plays Romeo, adds, “Playing Romeo is a dream. Despite his despair, he examines the beauty of the world and maintains his joy. He embodies innocence and maturity beyond his years — seemingly contradictory — simultaneously as he navigates the woes of young adulthood and heartbreak. This story resonates now and everywhere as subordinate youths plead with the older generation for understanding. Oftentimes, Shakespeare seems eerily prescient, which is why his works have endured and are still being produced centuries later.”
Mazzone continues, “Though a tragedy, this process has been so much fun and my fellow castmates are hilarious, ingenious, and talented to no end!”
The cast is comprised of the following actors: Michael Mazzone (Romeo – Winthrop, MA) and Meg Dillingham McCullough (Juliet – Brookline, MA), and also includes Cathryn Philippe (Nurse – Boston, MA), Alex Boyle (Friar Lawrence – Providence, RI), Sean Keegan (Lord Capulet – Pembroke, MA), Toni Ruscio (Lady Capulet and Props Designer – Weymouth, MA), Jim Gross (Lord Montague and Set & Lighting Designer – Weymouth, MA), Kelli Canniff (Lady Montague – Halifax, MA), Sheila Kelleher (Prince – Plymouth, MA), Rob Gullicksen (Mercutio – Hanson, MA), Kory Turner (Benvolio – Middleboro, Ma), Tyler D’Ambrosio (Tybalt – Reading, Ma), Amos Byrne (Paris – Quincy, MA), Susie Lawler (Apothecary – Weymouth, MA), Quinn Keegan (Sampson – Pembroke, MA), Max Wanty (Gregory – Hingham, MA), Nic Awalt (Abram – Whitman, MA), and Lucio Faria (John – Stoughton, MA). In addition to Gross and Ruscio who are both actors in and designers for the show, the production team also includes Allison Foster (Director – Attleboro, MA), Suzy Cosgrove (Stage Manager – Hull, MA), Hallie Grace Nowicki (Sound Designer and Choreographer – Hingham, MA), Lisa Belsky (Costume Designer – Easton, MA), Kristi Nogueira (Production Assistant – Taunton, MA), and Adi Martin (Production Assistant – Marshfield, MA).
Tickets cost $25 each and can be purchased at www.triadtheatrecompany.com. Triad Theatre Company is located at Curtain Call Theatre, 182 Commercial Street, Braintree, MA.
