The Milwaukee Post

18 • Milwaukee County Post • September 5, 2014 By JULIE MCHALE Post Theater Critic MILWAUKEE — The story of Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare never dies. It is the ultimate expression of sponta- neous, brash and often rash young love. It has been translated into film, opera, bal- let and into a more modern version in the musical, "West Side Story." It continues to find eager audiences across the world and is assuredly one of Shakespeare's favorite plays. Every year, The American Players Theatre takes on several Shakespeare plays along with other classics. This year, "Much Ado About Nothing" and "Romeo and Juliet," graced the "theater up the hill" in Spring Green (and it is quite a hill, by the way.) I chose this story of romantic and doomed love for my sum- mer trip to one of my favorite theaters. It was worth the ride and the climb. A host of talented actors forms the cast lineup in "Romeo and Juliet." The young lovers are beautifully represented by the lovely and fiery Melisa Pereyra and Christopher Sheard as the soulful, doleful Romeo. Their wooing scenes pay tribute to the poetic beauty of Shakespeare's language. They capture the passion and the power of two young lovers who defy reason and danger. Their engaging, often dangerous love scenes are set against the sharply con- trasting feuding between their two fami- lies of origin. Without the help of Juliet's devoted nurse, memorably rendered by the inimitable Colleen Madden, and the trusty Friar Lawrence (John Pribyl), their union would have been totally thwarted, but the price all four of these characters paid to achieve their ends was devastating. At the conclusion of the play, Shakespeare, speaking through the Prince of Verona, authoritatively ren- dered by James Pickering, reminds us of the repercussions of anger and hate. Mercutio, Tybalt and Paris paid the ulti- mate price with their lives, and the remaining characters, with the pain of residual guilt and regrets. This story reflects the ongoing battle between love and hate that we see mirrored in the larg- er world every day. Human beings are slow to learn. Other memorable scenes include the poetic ramblings of Mercutio (Nate Burger), the explosive rant of Juliet's father (Jim Ridge), and Benvolio's (Jeb Burris) conversation with Romeo about the varied qualities of love. The fight scenes are well executed (Matt Hawkins), the costuming, authentic (Rachel Anne Healy) and the set design (Takeshi Kata) visually interesting and functional. The productions of this theater com- pany are always quite awesome, drawing as they do from the pool of talented actors, directors, designers and techies from the entire state and even beyond sometimes, when they are often freed from their commitments during the typi- cal fall-to-spring seasons. Perhaps that is why they are so spectacular. They can draw from the cream of the crop. Director James DeVita, the man of many hats and talents, did the honors here. As always, he incorporates his sen- sitivities and creativity into all his work. We are grateful to have him in our midst. I might add that his wife, Brenda DeVita, is taking over as artistic director next season, as David Frank, after 23 years, passes the torch. We thank David Frank, welcome Brenda DeVita and wish them both well in future endeavors. American Players render touching classic love story Kite Festival returns to Veterans Park Post Staff MILWAUKEE — Colorful kites, including a new mega-octopus kite 140 feet long and 50 feet wide, will fill the skies over Veterans Park on Milwaukee's lakefront this weekend at the 36th annual Maggiano's Frank Mots International Kite Festival. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The Kite Society of Wisconsin and Illinois, along with Gift of Wings, are presenting the free event. Parking for the event is also free. The public is invited to bring kites and take part in the Fast Track Grand Launch at noon each day, when nearly 600 kites will be set aloft. Eventgoers without kites may pur- chase them at the event. Master class professional kite-flying teams will perform three times each day, begin- ning at 12:30 p.m. Professionals include The Chicago Fire Kite Team, a precision kite-fly- ing team; Team O2, a dual-line pair; Mike Delfar, a dual-line sport kite-flyer; and the team of Connor and Amy Doran, top 12 finalists on "America's Got Talent." Team Too Much Fun from Los Angeles will make its Milwaukee debut, and Yves Laforest and the Canadian Dream team, from Montreal, will fly the new mega-octopus kite and the giant manta ray kite. Additional experienced individuals and teams from the U.S. and Canada will perform. At about 2:15 p.m., the Kaplan University "Kids Mad Dash of 100 Kites" will get under- way, as children run to launch their kites. Free kites will be given to the first 100 children participating. "The Kite Whisperer," Brett Williams, will offer free kite-flying lessons throughout the festival. For more information, visit www.giftofwings.com. Submitted photo Kites like this one will be a part of the 36th annual Maggiano's Frank Mots International Kite Festival at Veterans Park in Milwaukee this weekend. At a glance "Romeo and Juliet" continues through Sept. 26 at the American Players Theatre, 5950 Golf Course Road, Spring Green. For show times and tickets, call 608-588-2361 or visit www.americanplayers.org. Post Staff MILWAUKEE — First Stage will open its 28th season Oct. 17 with the world premiere of "Sherlock Holmes: The Baker Street Irregulars." The show will be presented from Oct. 17 through Nov. 15 in the Todd Wehr Theater at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 929 N. Water St. Created by Eric Coble, it is based on a series of graphic novels by Tony Lee and Dan Boultwood. It is directed by Jeff Frank. The play is for everyone ages 7 and up. Tickets for the show start at $14.50. They can be purchased at www.firststage.org or through the Marcus Center box office, in person at 929 N. Water St. in downtown Milwaukee or by phone at 414- 273-7206 or toll-free at 888-612-3500. First Stage opens 28th season with world premiere

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