Gantimpala stages
‘Romeo and Juliet’

Two warring households, a pair of star-crossed lovers, an unwanted fiancé, a nurturing nurse, a hopeful friar, an agitated prince, and vivacious Verona – all these and more come alive on stage as Gantimpala Theater welcomes the new year with "Romeo and Juliet," considered by many as the greatest love story ever told penned by William Shakespeare.

Lance Raymundo plays Romeo, the only son and heir of Lord and Lady Montague. A young man of about 16, he is handsome, intelligent, and sensitive. He lives in the middle of a violent feud between his family and the Capulets, but he is not at all interested in violence, his only interest is love.

Raymundo is a talented singer and international model. He has played the role five years ago, also with Gantimpala Theater, and he says, "My portrayal of the role now is more passionate and sensual."

Monica Llamas performs Juliet, only daughter of Lord and Lady Capulet, a naïve 13 year-old who has thought little about love and marriage, but she grows up quickly upon falling in love with Romeo, the scion of her family’s greatest enemy.

"I’d really thought they will ask me to do Lady Capulet, but when director Tony Espejo told me that I would play Juliet, it was a pleasant surprise. Portraying the role is one big challenge," says Llamas.

She has played Maria Clara in Kanser (Noli Me Tangere) and in Maria Teresa/Matilde in Forever/Call Me Flory, (wherein she got a nomination as Best Actress in a Non-Musical Production from the ALIW Awards) – all for Gantimpala Theater.

Other members of the cast are: Bodjie Pascua (Friar Lawrence),Roeder Camañag (Mercutio); Miguel Vasquez (Tybalt), Michiko Unso (Nurse), Ces Aldaba and Kimberly Diaz (Lord and Lady Capulet), Jeffrey Camañag and Pamela Hundana (Lord and Lady Montague), Arkin Da Silva (Prince Escalus), and Francis Ong (Paris).

Assisting Espejo to bring Verona and its many denizens to life on stage are Joey Nombres (lights designer), Roobak Valle (production designer), Albert Figueras (costume designer),Glenda Alday (stage manager), and Alice Borbe (production manager).

Romeo and Juliet performances are at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on January 18-20 at the AFP Theater in Quezon City and at 8 p.m. on February 14 at the Teatrino in Greenhills. For more information, write to gantimpalaproduction@yahoo.com.ph