Shakespeare in the Park's Romeo and Juliet delays first preview because of rain

The Public Theatre's production of Romeo and Juliet, which opens this summer�s Shakespeare in the Park, has delayed its first preview by one day. The play will now begin previews on 6 Jun 2007. The show will still open on 24 Jun 2007 and run through to 8 Jul 2007 as originally scheduled.

The delay has been caused by recent rain which has impeded the preparation of scenery and production elements for Romeo and Juliet and have kept the cast from necessary rehearsals.

Directed by Michael Greif and choreographed by Sergio Trujillo, Romeo and Juliet features Oscar Isaac as Romeo and Lauren Ambrose as Juliet. The cast also includes Camryn Manheim (Nurse), Opal Alladin (Lady Capulet), George Bartenieff (Lord Montague/Apothecary/Cousin Capulet), Dan Colman (Paris), Michael Cristofer (Lord Capulet), Saidah Arrika Ekulona (Lady Montague), Brian Tyree Henry (Tybalt), Owiso Odera (Benvolio), Austin Pendleton (Friar Laurence), Timothy D. Stickney (Prince Escalus) and Christopher Evan Welch (Mercutio).

Set design is by Mark Wendland, with costumes by Emilio Sosa, lighting by Donald Holder and sound by Acme Sounds Partners.

Michael Greif is the director of Rent and Grey Gardens, both currently running on Broadway.

Romeo and Juliet was last staged at the Delacorte stage in 1968, with Martin Sheen and Susan McArthur in the leads. That production was directed by Joseph Papp.

Shakespeare in the Park is a free event organised each year by the Public Theater in which they present two of Shakespeare's plays at the Delacorte Theatre in Central Park.

The second presentation is Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream running from 6 Aug - 9 Sep 2007.

This year The Public has extended the run of the two Shakespeare in the Park productions from four to five weeks.

Shakespeare in the Park is being sponsored this season by Bank of America.