Trinity Theatre Company kicks off its 13th Grown Up Stage (GUS) season

With The Seussification of Romeo and Juliet, by Peter Bloedel

A Blog View by Alejandra Enciso-Dardashti

Katie Witteman. Photo Courtesy of Trinity Theatre Company

Theatre companies continue to experiment with Shakespeare's plays through gender and race, and they even combine different languages in their dialogues. I did not even know there was a "Seussified" version of Romeo and Juliet. Trinity Theatre Company kicked off its theatre year and Grown Up Stage Season with this jewel by Peter Bloedel.

Katie Witteman is Juliet, and Tim Baran, who we saw in last year's I Love You Because, is Romeo. Delivering a playful and fresh couple that is enchanting. René Borr is the nurse, and Monk Larry, along with Jena Joyce as Lady Capitulate and Melina Moreno as Lady Monotone, showed good stage rapport and movement across the space. The changes in the last names were hilarious, and following the Seuss rhymes was entertaining. Valynsia Sims costume design was youthful and fun, integrating the signature Dr. Seuss red and other fun elements like claw-shaped slippers. James Boyd's scenic design had amazing wall decor, colorful swirls accompanied by a struck heart, and a beautiful fish head. Mashun Tucker's lighting was key as it created a queue between scenes and prompted suspense. 

Tim Baran. Photo Courtesy of Trinity Theatre Company

Natalia Demko and Amy Pfleeger were charming as Narrators 1 and 2, interacting with the audience and prompting the scenes with an alternate ending that was more than fitting. The cast also includes Richard Cajka, Gabriel Otaki, Jonny Taylor, Simon Thompson, Matthew Thompson, Melina Moreno, and Noé Castrejon.  I do have a tiny note: Some scenes need voice modulation as there were flat-out screams that can be distracting from the play. Other than that, show director Vivian White guided the large ensemble through a clear blocking, upbeat rhythm, and many smiles.

The show’s a delight for the whole family to see,  
A perfect intro to The Bard's great poetry!  
Playing now through March 2, at Mission Valley Mall,  
Come one, come all, it’s fun for us all!  

And don’t you fret, theatre’s not too steep,  
There are seats galore, at a price that’s cheap!  
So bring the whole crew, and let’s all enjoy,  
A time full of laughter, fun, and joy!*

*Might've resorted to Chat GPT for a little help with this last paragraph