“Romeo and Juliet”, the current Community Ensemble Theater show premiered yesterday, Thursday March 17, and adding to the performance are a few unusual cast members. Joining the cast of talented high school actors is Ken McGraw, Judith DeWoskin, and Lucindia Shelton, teachers at Community High School. The casting of older or more unusual actors is not a new concept to Romeo and Juliet’s  director, Quinn Strassel.

McGraw, who is playing the role of Lord Capulet explained, “I think casting adults in student plays is something Quinn has always done.  Which is sort of a bizarre, interesting idea.  He was a theater director in Brooklyn New York, and he said the custodians were in the play, and people from the community.  And so I think he’s just keeping up with the tradition.”

DeWoskin, who portrays Princess Escalus (written originally as “Prince Escalus”) is also excited to be part of the outstanding production. She talked about her busy schedule, which includes long rehearsals, grading papers, and every other duty she has as a teacher.  Despite her busy schedule, she would definitely do a play again, if Strassel asked her.

Strassel took care with casting the roles of Capulet and the Prince. It was a long process, and McGraw said he was not the first person asked to play the part. McGraw explained, “So I’m the guy who got suckered into it.  However, I feel… it simply took him a while to find the right actor for the part.  I do feel I’m the right actor for the part.”

Strassel decided to cast teachers in roles that could otherwise be played by students because he felt it would add colors and layers to the show. Roles that would not have been as powerful if they were played by a student, can be accomplished more effectively by an adult.

McGraw, excited for the performance, confessed his favorite part of the play,  “My favorite part of the show is that there’s really awesome chemistry between Gil and Sarah.  And if there’s one thing you absolutely need to make a Romeo and Juliet production fly, is realistic and believable chemistry between Romeo and Juliet, and they have that with flying colors.  So people are going to come see the show and fall in love, because Romeo and Juliet are in love.”