(Left to right) Aaron Kirby as Romeo Montague and Caroline Price as Juliet Capulet. Photo credit: Eric Vaughn Messing Romeo and Juliet Performance Breakdown: Wed. 2 p.m.: Nov. 8 Thurs. 8 p.m.: Oct. 26, Nov. 9 & Dec. 14 Fri. 8 p.m.: Oct. 20, 27, Nov. 24 & Dec. 15 Sat. 2 p.m.: Oct. 21 & Dec. 16 Sat. 8 p.m.: Oct. 21, Nov. 4, Dec. 9 & 16

The Hilberry Theatre continues its 2006-2007 season – with the classic tale of love and devotion in William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. With a company as strong as ever, the highly anticipated 44th season opens Romeo and Juliet on Friday, October 20 at 8:00 p.m.

Playing in rotating repertory October 20 through December 16, 2006, there’s much to do with hate, but more with love. Journey with the Capulet and Montague families when the ultimate price of forbidden young love was measured by learned hatred, greed and jealousy. Feel the story as if it were your first romance in this timeless tale of passionate devotion. How far would you go for love?

Romeo and Juliet is one of the earlier works in the Shakespearean canon, and while it is often classified as a tragedy, it does not bear the hallmarks of the \'great tragedies\' like Hamlet and Macbeth. Some argue that Romeo and Juliet\'s demise does not stem from their own individual flaws, but from the actions of others or from accidents. Unlike the great tragedies, Romeo and Juliet is more a tragedy of mistiming and ill fate. However, others consider rashness and youth to be the tragic flaws of Romeo and Juliet.

Directed by Dr. James Thomas, the cast includes: Aaron Kirby (Romeo Montague), Caroline Price (Juliet Capulet), Patrick Moltane (Lord Capulet), Tiffanie Kilgast (Lady Capulet), Nathan M. Magee (Lord Montague), Shanna Hurt (Lady Montague), Christopher M. Bohan (Prince Escalus), Michael Boynton (Paris), Megan Callahan (Nurse), Sean Patrick Ward (Mercutio), Christopher Corporandy (Friar Laurence), Jeff Luttermoser (Sampson), Dylan Stuckey (Benvolio), Michael Brian Ogden (Tybalt), Jeff Thomakos (Peter), James Kuhl (Balthasar), Benny Lee Harris Lumpkins Jr. (Chorus/Apothecary), Morgan Chard (Female Guest 1) and Cynthia D. Barker (Female Guest 2).

The production staff for Romeo and Juliet includes: Larry Kaushansky (Scenic Designer), Andrea Bear (Costume Designer), Brad Darvis (Technical Director/Assistant Scenic Designer), Chad Croteau (Lighting Designer), Kathleen Lanphear (Sound Designer), Marc Quattlebaum (Properties), Michael Brian Ogden (Fight Choreographer), Darek N. Lane (Stage Manager), Erin Birdsell (Assistant Stage Manager).

Romeo and Juliet plays through Saturday, December 16 in rotating repertory with Private Lives by Noël Coward and Side Man by Warren Leight. Ticket prices range from $15 - $28 with student rush tickets available the day of the performance for $10. Group discounts are also available. For tickets and further information, please call (313) 577-2972 or visit the Wayne State University Box Office at 4743 Cass Ave. on the corner of Cass Avenue and Hancock. Performance information may also be obtained by visiting the theatre’s website at www.hilberry.com.

Season sponsored by Between the Lines, Dearborn Times-Herald and Great Stuff.