Youngsters love 'Romeo and Juliet'

I had the opportunity of catching the Utah Shakespearean Festival's education tour of "Romeo and Juliet" Wednesday morning. I sneaked into the show a few minutes late (major delays at the drive-through when I was getting my "quick bite").

I walked away with a few thoughts:

• The Bard sure can write a love line!

• The festival actors sure can deliver a convincing stage kiss.

• The students were remarkably well-behaved.

I was a touch worried about seeing the show with kids because it's difficult for them to sit still. Having sneaked in when it was dark, I was surprised when the lights came up and I saw the ages of the audience. I thought I was sharing Shakespeare with high school kids but they looked like elementary and junior high school students.

They sat as still as possible, listened to the show and had great questions during the talk-back. "Are your costumes comfortable?" "Do Romeo and Juliet really kiss?" (It garnered all sorts of squeals.) My favorite, "Does Romeo LIKE kissing Juliet?" (Again, squeals, shrieks and laughter.)

Bravo to students and teachers who were at the presentation at the Grand Theatre Wednesday morning. I was impressed.

In Broadway news:

Chenoweth SOLD! — Fans of Tony-winning actress Kristin Chenoweth can now own a little piece of her. She will auction memorabilia through her fan club to benefit the AIDS walk. Bidding for "Kristin's Closet" will run from April 13 through 19 on eBay. "Wicked" fans can get a bedazzled neck brace worn while Chenoweth was injured during the run.

Other items include signed photos, playbills, DVDs, stuff from "Pushing Daisies" and clothing worn at various events. I wouldn't plan on wearing the clothes, though. Chenoweth is only 4 feet 11 inches tall.

Another Epic? — Let me share the description with you: "Set against an epic backdrop of the French Revolution, this is a musical about injustice, vengeance and the redemptive power of love." Sound like Les Mis? I thought so, too.

But it's a new epic musical, an adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic, "A Tale of Two Cities." Rehearsals are on Bastille Day, July 14. To the tune of "One Day More," let's sing, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times ..."