by Mallory Moad
The Rogue Festival is here! It is taking place March 1-9 in the Tower District of Fresno. Here is our first Rogue show review with many more to come over the next few days! You will be able to find them, and our performer preview articles, and our article about Rogue 2024 in our Rogue Festival section here at KRL, and you can find more Rogue Festival information on our Rogue event page over on KRL News! There you will find press releases and extra info! You can also go to the Rogue Festival website for more info and to purchase tickets.
Tim Mooney Repertory Theatre has returned to the Rogue Performance Festival once again, this time with his highly entertaining, slyly informative Breakneck Romeo and Juliet.
If you have never seen a Tim Mooney production, don’t let the quirky title fool you. This isn’t some goofball parody or a race against time. Although the pace is quick and there are some humorous moments, it is grounded and true to William Shakespeare’s popular play. Knowing exactly what to keep and what to leave out, Tim tells the beloved story of these “star-crossed lovers” without the unnecessary baggage in less than 60 minutes (58 minutes, 26 seconds on opening night). Dressed simply in black on a stage that is bare except for two velvet-draped chairs, Tim portrays thirteen key characters with impressive precision. 
This is accomplished without the use of gimmickry like cartoonish voices, costumes, or chemicals. Instead, Tim relies only on skills and an unbeatable stage presence. Vocal inflection, attitude and body language provide the distinction: Romeo, with an adolescent awkwardness; Juliet, all wide eyes and clasped hands with a touch of the exasperation that afflicts teenage girls. Frequently switching between characters – sometimes more than two at a time – at a rapid-fire pace, the transitions are seamless with identities never getting lost in the shuffle. All the well-known words we know and love are here and Tim has given them new life. The “balcony scene,” frequently delivered with a certain degree of heavy-duty gushiness, feels especially fresh, energized with a youthful enthusiasm that borders on playfulness. When, in brief asides, Tim lets us in on the real meaning of phrases and social customs, everything falls into place.
If there were any doubt this man is a pro, here’s your proof otherwise: On opening night he pretty much went head-to-head with the disruptive noise from a “church” next door, never missing a beat. That’s how it’s done, people. Romeo and Juliet isn’t at the top of my list of plays to see. It might not even be on my list at all. But tonight I saw a version that was more a story about mistakes, and unfortunate circumstances (and maybe a little science fiction) than tragic love. I’m good with that.
Remaining performances at Dianna’s Studio of Dance, 826 N. Fulton St.:
Saturday, March 2 at 3:30 and 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 3 at 12:30 and 6:30 p.m.
If you love theatre, be sure to check out Mysteryrat’s Maze Podcast, which features mysteries read by local actors. You can find the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, and also on podbean.
Check out more theatre reviews & other local entertainment articles in our Arts & Entertainment section. You can also find more theatre coming up on KRL’s Local Theatre event page.
0 Comments