From left, Valentine (senior Graham Morriss) and Proteus (senior Scott Burrows) vie for the hand of the beautiful Sylvia (senior Grace Duah). Proteus’s outraged girlfriend Julia (senior Brittany Padgett) looks on as she stalks him, in drag, in the West Springfield High School Drama production of Shakespeare’s comedy “The Two Gentlemen of Verona.” Photo courtesy of West Springfield High School Drama
West Springfield High School drama director Bernie DeLeo knew Shakespeare might be a hard sell with his students and for attracting community members. “I wanted to pick something really fun and relatable to modern-day students and settled on ‘Two Gentlemen of Verona,’” he said.
The generations-old romantic comedy features best friends Proteus and Valentine, played by seniors Scott Burrows and Graham Morriss, who both venture from Verona to the Emperor’s court in Milan and end up falling for the same girl: the Duke’s daughter Sylvia (played by senior Grace Duah).
While the two friends struggle with loyalty and competing affections, Julia, Proteus’ girlfriend from Verona (played by senior Brittany Padgett) decides to track down and check up on her man -- disguised as a man.
“They do stupid things as they are in love, and the themes and characters are still relevant 400-plus years later,” DeLeo said.
To put a spin on the story, West Springfield’s version is set in a mid-20th-century Princeton-like college campus.
“We’re really focusing on the fun aspect, featuring a sock hop dance, 1950s tunes, doo wop performed onstage, a greaser biker gang and a live dog. We’re emphasizing ease of understanding the language and story.”
Performances are Friday and Saturday, Nov. 13 and 14 at 7 p.m., and Thursday to Saturday, Nov. 19-21 at 7 p.m. in the West Springfield Auditorium, Door 6 around the back at 6100 Rolling Road in Springfield. All tickets are $10 general admission and available online at www.spartantheatre.com. The play is suitable for all ages.