FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, interview possibilities or media passes, please contact:
Leigh Allen, Marketing Director
leigh@humanracetheatre.org
(937) 461-3823, ext. 3112

ROMEO…JULIET…ROMANCE…STREET FIGHTS…TURMOIL...
ALL COMING TO THE LOFT THEATRE

DAYTON, OH - January 16 - The love story of the ages is coming to Dayton, spreading forth romance in time for Valentine’s - also spreading forth street fights and mayhem, but there’s not a holiday for that.

“I tend to relish the abstract, magical worlds of Shakespeare,” says Brian B. Crowe, director of The Human Race Theatre Company presentation of Romeo and Juliet. “I don’t think people will be disappointed.”

Preview night for Romeo and Juliet at The Loft Theatre at 126 North Main Street in Dayton is January 31. Official opening night is February 1, with performances Tuesday through Sunday through February 17.

Crowe, Director of Education of The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, finds lots of ways to keep Shakespeare plays from being “museum pieces.” He created a stunning version of The Tempest at The Loft Theatre two seasons ago, and assures audiences that this production “won’t be what they’re used to seeing as Romeo and Juliet.”

The Wright State alum says Shakespeare meant for his plays to move at a fast pace, and he plans to keep things moving and shake up perceptions a bit – especially in the first half of the play. Count on plenty of swordfights designed by WSU professor and noted fight choreographer Bruce Cromer.

Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey veteran Jordan Coughry will play Romeo in The Human Race production. Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music grad Elana Ernst is Juliet.

Others in the cast are HRTC Resident Artist and Dayton Theatre Hall of Famer Scott Stoney; WSU seniors Jason Edward Bobb and William Webber; well-known Cincinnati performer Buzz Davis; CCM grad Sal Cacciato; STNJ regular Nathan Kaufman, who played Caliban in Crowe’s Tempest; Jarred Baugh, who has appeared locally in Blue Jacket and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow; Jim Hopkins, who has performed with the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company; Jennifer Johansen, a regular at leading theatres in Indianapolis and Louisville; and Dale Hodges, who appeared in Angels in America and After Play with HRTC and was named to the League of Cincinnati Theatres Hall of Fame in 2002.

Behind the scenes, Dan Gray, who designed last season’s Moonlight and Magnolias is the Set Designer for R&J; HRTC Resident Artist John Rensel is the Lighting Designer; Carolyn Ericson, who most recently produced the costumes for Snapshots, is the Costume Designer; and Heather Jackson is the Production Stage Manager.

Romeo and Juliet is part of the Eichelberger Loft Season. Season sponsors are The Jack W. and Sally D. Eichelberger Foundation, with additional support from NCR, Premier Health Partners, the Sam Levin Foundation, Jim and Enid Goubeaux, and Morris Home Furnishings, with Official Host the Doubletree Hotel downtown and Official Media Sponsor ThinkTV.

Production sponsors are Tim and Char Scroggins. The Muse Machine, Emerson Climate Technologies; Unibilt Industries, and The Roberts Foundation.

Tickets are available via www.humanracetheatre.org or by calling Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630 or (888) 228-3630.

Elana Ernst	Jordan Coughtry

###

Founded in 1986, The Human Race Theatre Company presents universal themes that explore the human condition and startle us all into a renewed awareness of ourselves. The company moved to the Metropolitan Arts Center in 1991, taking up residence at The Loft, a 219-seat theatre. In addition to the Loft Series (in collaboration with the Victoria Theatre Association) The Human Race produces for the Fifth Third Broadway Series, the Musical Theatre Workshop series, and special event programming. The Human Race, under the direction of Artistic Director Marsha Hanna and Executive Director Kevin Moore, also maintains educational outreach programs for children and adults, guest artists and artist residencies in area schools, The Muse Machine In-School Tour, Youth Summer Stock and The Human Race Conservatory. The new Caryl D. Philips Creativity Center of The Human Race opened in January 2006 to provide a space for extensive theatre education classes and workshops.