Students featured at unique Romeo and Juliet performance
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| Stevie Zimmerman |
By David Siegel
Inspiring generations of
theater-goers and music lovers alike is one of the aims of director Stevie Zimmerman.
Her latest project connects the talents of the professional Fairfax Symphony Orchestra (FSO) with the music of Sergei Prokofiev’s “Romeo and Juliet” and with the text of the Shakespeare play.
theater-goers and music lovers alike is one of the aims of director Stevie Zimmerman.
Her latest project connects the talents of the professional Fairfax Symphony Orchestra (FSO) with the music of Sergei Prokofiev’s “Romeo and Juliet” and with the text of the Shakespeare play.
The performance, combining
music with theatrical scenes, takes place Feb. 3 at the Center for the Arts Concert Hall at George Mason University.
music with theatrical scenes, takes place Feb. 3 at the Center for the Arts Concert Hall at George Mason University.
Zimmerman explained the
concept in a recent interview: “Creating ways of engaging audiences using
different media and forms is a great way to explore the music and deepen the
audience’s experience at the concert. The Prokofiev Romeo and Juliet suite pretty much follows the
narrative line of the play, so we thought it would be fun to add in the
characters, portrayed by actors from the area, bringing everything even more to
life.”
A cast of four of the D.C. area’s finest professional actors – Sara Barker (Juliet), James Whalen (Prince), Elizabeth Pierotti (Nurse Liz), and Jacob Yeh (Romeo) – appear on stage, while Zimmerman serves as the narrator.
concept in a recent interview: “Creating ways of engaging audiences using
different media and forms is a great way to explore the music and deepen the
audience’s experience at the concert. The Prokofiev Romeo and Juliet suite pretty much follows the
narrative line of the play, so we thought it would be fun to add in the
characters, portrayed by actors from the area, bringing everything even more to
life.”
A cast of four of the D.C. area’s finest professional actors – Sara Barker (Juliet), James Whalen (Prince), Elizabeth Pierotti (Nurse Liz), and Jacob Yeh (Romeo) – appear on stage, while Zimmerman serves as the narrator.
“The actors and I will be
close to the audience for the most part, in front of the orchestra,” said
Zimmerman. “Between each moment of the suite, the actors will present a short
scene from the play that connects to either the piece the orchestra has just
played or is about to play, so the ‘action’ of the story moves along, musically
and dramatically, side by side.”
close to the audience for the most part, in front of the orchestra,” said
Zimmerman. “Between each moment of the suite, the actors will present a short
scene from the play that connects to either the piece the orchestra has just
played or is about to play, so the ‘action’ of the story moves along, musically
and dramatically, side by side.”
In another unique aspect of
the performance: 17 high school students who’ve been selected for the Fairfax
County Youth Orchestra All-Stars will play side-by-side with the FSO musicians.
the performance: 17 high school students who’ve been selected for the Fairfax
County Youth Orchestra All-Stars will play side-by-side with the FSO musicians.
The Youth Orchestra
features outstanding student musicians from across Fairfax County under
the direction of FSO Music Director Christopher Zimmerman. The students were selected through a
competitive audition process.
features outstanding student musicians from across Fairfax County under
the direction of FSO Music Director Christopher Zimmerman. The students were selected through a
competitive audition process.
Among the All-Star
musicians is Angel Estrada of Annandale High School.
musicians is Angel Estrada of Annandale High School.
“The All-Stars reflect
Fairfax County’s diverse, artistic achievements and cultural leadership and is
an indication of its vibrant future,” noted Christopher Zimmerman.
Fairfax County’s diverse, artistic achievements and cultural leadership and is
an indication of its vibrant future,” noted Christopher Zimmerman.
“I can’t wait to hear these
talented, student musicians from across Fairfax County in this rare opportunity
to perform with the Fairfax Symphony,” said Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Sharon
Bulova.
talented, student musicians from across Fairfax County in this rare opportunity
to perform with the Fairfax Symphony,” said Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Sharon
Bulova.
Regarding the combined
orchestra/theatrical performance, Stevie Zimmerman said, “It doesn’t get more
romantic than this!”
orchestra/theatrical performance, Stevie Zimmerman said, “It doesn’t get more
romantic than this!”
“Bring your valentine,” she
said. “If you love Romeo and Juliet, this is an opportunity to hear and see it
in a completely different way. If you don’t know it or haven’t seen the play or
heard the music, this is a wonderful introduction to both.”
said. “If you love Romeo and Juliet, this is an opportunity to hear and see it
in a completely different way. If you don’t know it or haven’t seen the play or
heard the music, this is a wonderful introduction to both.”
Where and when: The Fairfax Symphony Orchestra’s production of Romeo and Juliet with theatrical
scenes will be performed on Feb. 3 at the Center for the Arts
Concert Hall at George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, at 8 p.m.
Tickets are $39-$65 for adults, $15 for students. Purchase tickets online or
call 888-945-2468.
scenes will be performed on Feb. 3 at the Center for the Arts
Concert Hall at George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, at 8 p.m.
Tickets are $39-$65 for adults, $15 for students. Purchase tickets online or
call 888-945-2468.
This review is based on a
piece that originally appeared in DC Metro Theater Arts.
piece that originally appeared in DC Metro Theater Arts.
