“Let me explain about the theatre business. The natural condition is one of insurmountable obstacles on the road to imminent disaster…
But it always works out in the end.”
- Philip Henslowe, Shakespeare in Love
If you ask Google, Siri, or ChatGPT, "Who is the greatest playwright of all time?" they will all agree: William Shakespeare. Written over 400 years ago, Romeo and Juliet continues to captivate audiences worldwide, often selling out performances. Its influence on pop culture is undeniable, seen in countless adaptations, including the recent Broadway sensation, & Juliet. It is only fitting that a 1998 Academy Award-winning film written about Shakespeare has been adapted for the stage with Shakespeare in Love.
Shakespeare in Love allows our students to explore Shakespeare’s original verse while weaving a delightful love story infused with humor. While theatre-owner Henslowe credits the success of the show to magic, I believe it lies in teamwork. For the past eight weeks, over 50 dedicated students have come together to bring this vision to life. The true magic of theatre is in watching them grow into a family, supporting each other in the creation of the remarkable performance you are about to enjoy.
I am deeply grateful for the incredible production team and my wonderful partners in crime who help keep the Colonial Players traditions alive: Melissa Downer (Class of 1994), Jordan Sones (Class of 2006), Maggie Coyle (Class of 2019), Cooper Smith (Class of 2015), Kevin Wilson, and Jen Crea. It’s an honor to collaborate with such talented individuals and to count you all as friends.
On behalf of the staff, cast, and crew, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our dedicated student Stage Managers—Anna Roller, Lilly Gordy, and Lucinda O’Connell—who have devoted countless hours to capturing blocking, building sets, and so much more.
I also want to express my appreciation to the Colonial Players parents for their unwavering support of our program and their childrens’ passions for theatre. A special thank you goes to the PWHS and Colonial School District Administration for their continued backing of our productions and the Colonial Players program.
Lastly, I want to thank my Mom and Dad for their unconditional support—and for graciously taking on puppy-sitting duties during rehearsals. I’m also incredibly grateful to my husband for his constant encouragement as I pursue my passion for theatre. And a special shout-out to Pumpkin for her enthusiastic kisses and joyful wiggles when I return home from rehearsals!
I hope you all enjoy the show as much as I have enjoyed directing it. Please join us again for another evening of Shakespeare in Love or for our spring musical, Matilda!
Fondly,
Valerie Cucinotta Collado (Class of 1997)
