{"id":46328,"date":"2022-11-08T11:45:43","date_gmt":"2022-11-08T16:45:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.utc.edu\/news\/?p=46328"},"modified":"2022-11-15T17:13:41","modified_gmt":"2022-11-15T22:13:41","slug":"star-crossed-lovers-return-to-utc-theatre-co-for-romeo-and-juliet-november-15-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.utc.edu\/news\/2022\/11\/star-crossed-lovers-return-to-utc-theatre-co-for-romeo-and-juliet-november-15-19\/","title":{"rendered":"Star crossed lovers return to UTC Theatre Co. for ‘Romeo and Juliet’ November 15-19"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Senior

Senior Noah Fernandez, left, and junior Maegan Whitlock play the lead roles in the UTC Theatre Company’s production of “Romeo and Juliet.” Photo by Angela Foster.<\/p><\/div>\n

In May, Noah Fernandez plans to graduate from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a bachelor\u2019s degree in theatre.<\/p>\n

The timeline gives a personal touch to his role as Romeo in the Department of Theatre\u2019s upcoming production of the Shakespeare play.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s fun to bring my own kind of self into Romeo because he\u2019s a very sensitive and caring character, and he grows up a lot,\u201d said Fernandez, a native of Ooltewah, Tennessee. \u201cI feel like in these past four years at UTC and theater that I\u2019ve grown up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Starting Tuesday, Nov. 15, and running through Saturday, Nov. 19, six performances of \u201cRomeo and Juliet\u201d will be staged in the Dorothy Ward Theatre in the UTC Fine Arts Center.<\/p>\n

Junior Maegan Whitlock, who plays Juliet in the UTC production, said she\u2019s bringing more muscle to the role than may have been seen elsewhere.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s kind of wild, and she knows what she wants. She\u2019s not a \u2018damsel in distress,\u2019\u201d said the Nolensville, Tennessee, native, throwing her head back and her hand across her forehead in a fake swoon.<\/p>\n

The tragedy of Romeo and Juliet may be history\u2019s most recognizable story of good love gone bad. It has been turned into a ballet, at least 24 different operas and recast as the Broadway play and Oscar-winning movie \u201cWest Side Story.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a safe bet that somewhere in the world at any given moment, \u201cRomeo and Juliet\u201d is being staged.<\/p>\n

Even though the play is more than 400 years old, it remains relevant in today\u2019s society, said Herb Parker, who\u2019s directing the UTC production.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can sadly relate it to the instances in our time of teen suicide,\u201d said Parker, professor emeritus in the Department of Theatre and Dance at East Tennessee State University.<\/p>\n

\u201cRomeo is 15 years old; Juliet is 13,\u201d he said. \u201cWe have tragically heard of young people entering into suicide pacts and running away from parents they feel are abusive or not understanding them.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn addition, hatred from warring families has always plagued society. The sad logical result of this has, of course, been violence and death.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRomeo and Juliet\u201d<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 15-19, with a 2 p.m. matinee performance on Nov. 19.<\/p>\n

Tickets can be purchased through the UTC Box Office in person, by phone (423-425-4371) and by visiting the UTC Theatre web page<\/strong><\/a>. Tickets are $12 for general admission and $10 for students (with proof of student ID) and seniors.<\/p>\n

Location: The UTC Fine Arts Center is at the intersection of Dr. Roland Carter St. (formerly Vine St.) and Palmetto.<\/em><\/p>\n

Cast<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Liomar

Liomar Mercedes Sosa plays the role of Paris in “Romeo and Juliet.”<\/p><\/div>\n