Drama Clubs Puts a New Twist on Romeo and Juliet

Hauppauge High School’s Drama Club put a new spin on an old classic with their revamped production Shakespeare's classic “Romeo and Juliet" on Oct. 14 and 15.

Drama Director Ruth Pincus created a memorable opening for “Romeo and Juliet” by having actors portray a class of students, each holding a copy of the school-assigned paperback and reciting Shakespearean lines – a scene most audience members would find familiar. The students moved to desks on the sides of the stage to continue reading as characters took to the stage to begin the story. Two students acted as interpreters for the characters, translating each line into modern English as characters gradually transitioned into modern English. 

Sophomore Justin Albinder and Christine Phelan swept the stage as young lovers Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet. Albinder is no stranger to Shakespeare, as he was previously performed the role of Hamlet in Hauppauge’s comedic production of “” in 2010. By his side was the plucky Mercutio, played by senior Adam Mastrocola, and level-headed Benvolio, played by junior Rocco Recce.

The young men of the Montague and Capulet houses were armed with epees for the sword fighting scenes, showing off the moves learned from the school’s combat choreographer Holly Adams and her student assistant, senior Sammie Nieforth. They expertly executed several extensive fights, leaping and rolling across the floor to dodge epee blows that kept audience members on the edge of their seats.

In addition to modernizing Shakespeare’s words, the music was brought into the 20th century, as the four-piece group of “minstrels” played acoustic and electric interludes between scenes. They performed famous songs as “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” by Queen, “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin, “Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd, and “Iris” by the Goo Goo Dolls.

Though there were prominent changes made to the classic “Romeo and Juliet”, the play was still performed with great seriousness befitting Shakespeare’s dramatic work.  The change in language style made the play easier for all audience members, regardless of age, to understand the plot while resulting in a unique theater experience.