Carey Theatre presents modern adaptation of “Romeo & Juliet”

William Carey University Theatre will feature a present-day take on “Romeo and Juliet” Nov. 5-7 at Joe and Virginia Tatum Theatre, Hattiesburg campus.

This adaptation of William Shakespeare’s timeless classic reimagines Juliet’s journey in present-day Verona. Initially sheltered from the conflict surrounding her, Juliet forges her own path as she falls in love with Romeo, the son of her family’s enemy.

As divisions around her intensify, Juliet confronts the expectations of her family and the consequences of a world shaped by violence she never chose.

Lyeneal Griffin, an instructor at WCU Theatre Department, adapted the script.

“In the course of rehearsals, the cast is discovering that contemporary staging, dynamic movement, and visual story-telling bring a different kind of urgency to Shakespeare’s tragedy,” Griffin said.

The 24-member cast of students hails from all over Mississippi – as well as Alabama, Texas, Ukraine, North Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Tennessee and Wisconsin.

Performances will be Nov. 5-7 at 7:30 p.m. A bonus Saturday matinee is scheduled for Nov. 7 at 2:30 p.m. General admission tickets are $10, with discounts for students of other schools, the military and senior citizens.

The box office is open 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. For tickets, call (601) 318-6218.