Kane County Theatre's first outdoor production, 'Romeo & Juliet, knocks it out of the park

Submitted by Lynne Kornecki

Kane County Repertory Theatre's opening night of Shakespeare's tragedy "Romeo & Juliet" on Thursday, Aug. 12, at the Pottawatomie Park pavilion had all the ingredients for success: skilled actors, gentle evening breezes, and a sunset sky backdrop painted by Mother Nature herself.

The 17-member troupe presented one of William Shakespeare's most popular and enduring plays written about 1597. It centers around two feuding families in Verona, Italy, the Montagues and the Capulets, resulting in the deaths of their offspring and star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet.

Despite the simple props and the players' all-black wardrobes distinguished only by colored silk scarves identifying their rank or family affiliation, and absence of onstage scenery, the players' movements and moving dialogue deeply engaged the audience.

During intermission, director Paul Kassel, mingled with audience members near the concessions. He shared that his chief concern for opening night had been their lack of rehearsals at the pavilion due to inclement weather earlier in the week. No worries, there. These pros paced those boards as though they knew every square inch by heart.

Sword fights were powerfully and realistically staged with a special shout-out to the energetic performance of Mercutio, Romeo's best friend, played by the talented Artistic Director of the Kane County Theatre, Daniil Krimer.

Kane County Theatre's production of "Romeo and Juliet" runs through Aug. 29 at the pavilion at Pottawatomie Park, 8 North Ave. in St. Charles.

Performances are: 7 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday, Aug. 17-19; Wednesday to Friday, Aug. 25-27; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 29. Tickets are $30, $25 for seniors or $15 for students.

Tickets and information are available at www.kanerepertorytheatre.com.