Punk rock, black lights and sword fights in Aurora Central Catholic's 'Romeo and Juliet' adaptation
With recorded punk rock music, black lights and sword fights, Aurora Central Catholic drama will stage an adaptation of William Shakespeare's iconic "Romeo and Juliet."
The dramatic tragedy, starring Mia Ratini of Elburn as Juliet and Aksel Perez, Sugar Grove, as Romeo, runs Oct. 28-29 at the school, 1255 N. Edgelawn Drive in Aurora.
Performances are at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The two-hour production includes a nine-minute intermission.
Director Philip A. Nohl, ACC drama director, adapted the play from Shakespeare's 1597 original.
"Our upcoming production will feature the colorful punk rock Capulets and the classical black and white Montagues," Nohl said. "We play a lot of punk music. The cast doesn't sing, but there is a dance number."
Nohl added that Zach Meyer of Chicago, a West Aurora High alum, choreographed four sword fights for the show.
The story focuses on two young Italian 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.
The cast includes Jillian Geronimo, Catie Houck, Marissa Masciola, Aria Miller, Gabrielle Rogers, Alex Sampson and Danielle Tranchita, Aurora; David Chambers and Navalth Wollnik, Batavia; Michael Jaros, DeKalb; Mia Ratini, Elburn; Natalie Lester, Elgin; Kayleigh McLane, Madelyn Mertes and Annalyn Steinkamp, Geneva; Mitchell Hiltenbrand and Hannah Pawlak, Montgomery; Geraldo Galvez-Huerta, Julianna Horsfall, Emma Paris and Colleen Siemann, North Aurora; Alex Gutierrez, Madison McCabe and Lala Washington, Oswego; Emma Kasper. Plainfield; Joseph Lewis, Plano; Caleb Reynolds, Sandwich; Aksel Perez and Jillian File, Sugar Grove; and Molly Wheeler, Yorkville.
Concessions will be available. Tickets are $10 at the door and $15 for reservations.
Call (630) 907-0095 to reserve seats.