Romeo & Juliet: CSC announces complete cast

The Classic Stage Company have announced the complete cast for its upcoming production of Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet, directed by Tea Alagi, and starring Elizabeth Olsen as 'Juliet.'

Newcomer Julian Cihi has been cast as 'Romeo.' He replaces Finn Wittrock who had earlier withdrawn from the production due to a film offer.

Cihi is a recent graduate of the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University. Cihi spent the summer of 2012 at the Williamstown Theatre Festival where he performed in The Importance of Being Earnest and A Month in the Country. Following his time at the Williamstown Theatre Festival he starred in the Japanese tour of the hit musical Rent, as 'Roger'. Cihi was born in Japan where he lived until he was 17 before relocating to New York.

Tony-nominee Daniel Davis ('Wrong Mountain') replaces William Hurt as 'Friar Laurence.' Hurt has withdrawn from the production for personal reasons.

Previously announced Emmy Award nominee T.R. Knight (Mercutio) and Tony Award nominee Daphne Rubin-Vega (Nurse) will be joined by McKinley Belcher III (Benvolio), Stan Demidoff (Paris/Sampson), Harry Ford (Gregory, Friar John, Watchman), David Garrison (Capulet), Anthony Michael Martinez (Prince), Kathryn Meisle (Lady Capulet), Dion Mucciacito (Tybalt) and John Rothman (Montague/Apothecary).

The creative team features Set design is by Marsha Ginsberg; costumes by Clint Ramos, lighting by Jason Lyons and sound by Ryan Rumery.

The play opens at the Classic Stage Company on 16 Oct 2013, following previews from 27 Sep 2013, and play through to 03 Nov 2013.

Romeo & Juliet: Despite a long-standing feud between the Montagues and the Capulets when Romeo, only son of the Montagues, meets Juliet, the Capulets' only daughter, he falls in love with her and she with him.

Romeo & Juliet continues CSC's ongoing exploration of the works of William Shakespeare which has included productions of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' with Bebe Neuwirth and Taylor Mac, 'The Tempest' with Mandy Patinkin and 'Hamlet' with Michael Cumpsty (for which he received an Obie Award for his performance).