Nothing will stop the Ensemble Theatre from reopening its curtains to audiences March 7.
A new director has taken over and a new opening day has been scheduled for the Ensemble's production of a popular Shakespearean classic.
Romeo and Juliet was the first play at the Ensemble's new location in Mesa and was scheduled to run for five weeks starting the night of Feb. 14.
However, when director and co-founder of the theatre Tim Hart suffered from health problems after opening weekend, he was forced to go on hiatus. The fate of the play was left in question. That was until director and actor Randi Klein took over.
"[Randi] is a great fit and has a strong understanding of Shakespeare," said Ben Weisenberg, managing director of the Ensemble.
Weisenberg knew of Klein's abilities and following Hart's departure asked her to step in.
Hart said, "I am turning everything over to Ben and Randi."
Hart also handed Weisenberg and Klein his perspective on the tragic story of the two star-crossed lovers who experience forbidden love. Hart wanted to show audiences how real Shakespeare's characters are.
"I want the audience to understand, listen and be captivated by every moment onstage," Hart said. "I want it to be as real as possible. I want people to respond and say, 'Did Shakespeare really write that?' "
Klein, who attended the opening weekend of Romeo and Juliet in February, said audiences appreciated what was there, but now she wants to deepen what Hart was trying to say by cutting out parts that audiences can't relate to.
"[Hart] gave me his blessing and let me put my own spin on the play," Klein said.
Members of the cast said they have a lot of confidence in Klein's ability to direct.
"I like that [Klein] is able to cut things that aren't going to make sense to the audience," said Shawn Murphy.
Murphy, an ASU graduate who previously worked with Klein on MacBeth, will play Tibalt, Friar John and Peter in Romeo and Juliet.
Klein said the play would not relate to the 1996 movie Romeo and Juliet directed by Baz Lurhman. She prefers "the distance between the [Elizabethan and modern] time periods.
"These are real people speaking in poetic language because of the depth of their feelings and this is the only way they can express themselves," she said.
While doing research in England for her Master's from ASU, Klein said she found that the problem the English have with Americans performing Shakespeare is that they are not showing the real people.
Klein said that she hopes audiences will be re-excited by Shakespeare and see that "these are real people and I connect with them. I don't want this to be an intellectual experience, but an emotional experience.
"Shakespeare would love the play. He wants people to understand it and if they don't, then cut that piece out," she said.
ASU freshman Jamie Israel, who plays Romeo, said he "can relate to the way Romeo reacts to rejection.
"[Romeo and Juliet] has been the most thing challenging thing I've done," Israel said.
This will be the first time the Ensemble has performed a non-contemporary play in its seven-year history, Weisenberg said.
Weisenberg hopes that performing such a popular play and their new location will appeal to more ASU students.
The Ensemble, previously located at the Metro Theatre in Scottsdale, is now located at 1320 University Drive, Mesa, AZ 852101.
Romeo and Juliet will be performed March 7-23. For tickets call 1-800-206-6050.
Lauren Carper is a reporter for the Web Devil. You can contact her at lauren.carper@asu.edu.
