Moncton, N.B. - In its annual salute to the Bard, Hubcity Theatre returns to Centennial Park this summer with Romeo & Juliet.

The play, about a romance between two youths from feuding families, was among William Shakespeare's most popular plays during his lifetime and remains one of his most frequently performed plays.

“We wanted to give people a show audiences love that takes them through a gamut of emotions from start to finish,” says artistic director JB Vanier who is co-directing the show with Kelly Tynan. “Many people have read the play in high school and there have been several movie adaptations, so there is a lot of familiarity with the story. It really is a timeless classic, at the same time being a story people constantly draw new inspiration from, such as the film Rosaline and the Broadway show & Juliet.”

The cast of 26 local performers includes a mix of new and familiar faces to Shakespeare in the Park. The titular characters are played by Lex Deighton and Rory Smith, respectively. Their feuding parents are played by Georgia Ross, Melanie Mealey and Gigi Inara. Jill Quiring takes on the role of Juliet’s nurse.

The annual event from the local theatre company will take place over two weekends – Fri. July 21 to Sun. July 23 and Thurs. July 27 to Sat. July 29. The performance will begin at 7 p.m. (the audience can arrive starting at 6:30). The performance will last about 2 hours and there is a 15-minute intermission.

This year’s performance can be found in the lower section of Centennial Park. From the parking lot near the playground and splash park, audience members will take the stairs or path down the hill. From there it is a short walk to the performance area. Concessions will be available.

It is recommended that audience members bring a chair and come prepared for the evening’s weather forecast - sunscreen, sunglasses and insect repellant are advised.

This event is open to everyone with a suggested donation of $20. For $25 “Sweet Seats” can be reserved in advance, this guarantees a spot among the best seats in the house with a chair, drink and snack provided.

Performances generally go on rain or shine if it is safe for the audience and cast members. Any weather-related updates will be posted on Hubcity Theatre’s Facebook page.

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For interviews or more information email: info@hubcitytheatre.com

Rehearsal photos can be found here.

Moncton, N.B. - Hubcity Theatre’s latest production is a collection of stories exploring love and loss, which are somewhat connected to one another taking place on the same evening in the small, fictional town of Almost, Maine.

“Almost, Maine is a personal play,” says Cody Bolton, one of the two primary co-directors of the production. “The stories told in it are personal, heartfelt, and relatable. It’s a show that may have you busting your gut laughing one moment and crying the next. I guess you could say it’s got a little something for everyone in it, but more than anything I think it perfectly encapsulates the power of love in whatever form that comes in.”

Co-director Bryna Roper, says the audience will see how the play’s characters deal with life’s ups and downs. “Almost, Maine will take you on an adventure of human emotion. In dealing with love and loss, we can all identify a part of ourselves or our own experience,” she says.

Each scene has a separate director, many of whom have been seen in past Hubcity Theatre shows. The production is built on collaboration between Bolton and Roper as well as scene directors, and cast/crew.

Several Hubcity Theatre regulars, as well as some new faces, took part in directing and performing in the show including Samuel Grove, Kelly Tynan, JB Vanier, Nadyne Kuhn, Matt Kinney, Monik Richard, John Mackenzie, Hillary Bushell, Darren Blois, Joseph Smith, Electra Woodhead-Smith, Gisele Clements, Jess MacKenzie, and Kate Fahey.

Audience members will take part in an interactive, outdoor, “promenade”-style show, which involves moving with the performance as it unfolds around the space. While the amount of walking will be minimal, audience members are encouraged to bring a chair as well as weather-appropriate and comfortable attire. Show dates for Almost, Maine will be April 22nd, 23rd, and 24th at 7:30 PM, and located at Camp Centennial in Centennial Park (125 Rotary Lodge Lane). General admission for the show is $20.00 plus tax, and admission for kids under 12 is $10.00 plus tax. Tickets can be purchased via Eventbrite. Riverview Cub Scouts will also be providing hot chocolate prior to the start of the show and during intermission by donation (cash only).