TCC’s Shakespeare in the Grove features “Romeo and Juliet”

The tragic tale of William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” comes to Tidewater Community College as the feature production for the 19th annual “Shakespeare in the Grove” this summer. A cast and crew of more than 30 students and veteran actors will bring Shakespeare’s most popular love story to life for seven performances in the new Black Box Theatre in the Academic Building on the Chesapeake Campus.

“We are proud to host one of the City of Chesapeake’s Top 50 events,” said Lisa Rhine, provost of the Chesapeake Campus. “For the first time in almost two decades, Shakespeare in the Grove will be presented indoors, as a new parking structure is being built in the old ‘grove’ location. A new outdoor theatre space is being planned.”

Performances are free and open to the public, and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. The Black Box Theatre seats about 125 guests. Doors will open 30 minutes before each show.

Guests are encouraged to bring a picnic and chairs and enjoy the patio area and green space outside the theater. Two large screen monitors will show a broadcast of the performance for those enjoying the outdoor space.

“Romeo and Juliet,” a tragedy written by Shakespeare early in his career, centers on two young star-crossed lovers whose deaths ultimately reconcile their feuding families. It was among the Bard’s most popular plays during his lifetime and is one of his most frequently performed plays.

This year’s production is sponsored by TCC and the Chesapeake Fine Arts Commission. For more information, call 757-822-5219 or email Matthew Gorris at MGorris@tcc.edu.