Shakespeare in the Park presenting "Romeo & Juliet"

Shakespeare Sundays, July 5, 12, 19, 26th at 5pm.

The Barnstable Summer Family Theater (the summer version of the Barnstable High School Drama Club), will present Romeo and Juliet directed by Ed O’Toole. O’Toole promises that it will be full of the surprises that the club’s productions are known for and that Romeo and Juliet will satisfy anyone: “If you love Shakespeare’s language, you’ll be able to savor that; if you enjoy fast-moving comic bits or a tender love story, you can enjoy those. And, if you like watching young people challenging themselves to be every bit as good at making Shakespeare come to life as any professional company, you’ll enjoy that. With luck, by the time we’ve had our fun out there, you’ll have enjoyed all three.” O’Toole adds, “And because the stories inevitably revolve around love of all kinds and the unpredictable ways we act under love’s influence, it’s easy for everyone to find a way into the story. We all understand the pangs of jealousy, or what it feels like to love someone who doesn’t love us back.

“And that’s what Shakespeare writes about. That’s why the language is only a barrier for a very short time -- if the actors enjoy speaking it and understand what their characters are saying.”

O’Toole and his casts like to surprise their audiences to show them just how modern Shakespeare is. Over the past three summers, for example, Aselton theatergoers have been treated to live music, skateboard tricks, doo-wop singers (complete with poodle skirts), audience participation and chase scenes through the crowd. “Shakespeare’s plays are not museum pieces; there’s no need to treat them like Ming vases. You have to have fun with them, especially if you’re performing them outside, to the accompaniment of ambulance sirens, boat horns and quacking duck-boat riders,“ O’Toole says with a laugh.

Free parking is available in the Town Hall parking lot, 230 South Street and public restrooms are available at Bismore Park on the Harbor. There are no rain dates.