BY RUSS MUSARRA
Beacon Journal theater critic

Director Neil Thackaberry apologized to the opening-night audience for the thrown-together look of his Romeo and Juliet set. He needn't have bothered. Once the action began Thursday evening, the audience was mesmerized by the sights and sounds of the Actors' Summit ensemble.

The opening had been twice-delayed because of construction problems at the new theater at Canal Place, but it was worth the wait.

Thackaberry's 21 cast members brought William Shakespeare's 400-year-old love story to life at Greystone Hall, the former Masonic Temple, where the troupe's first three shows were presented earlier this year.

They performed with such skill and passion, the set could have been made of packing crates and it wouldn't have mattered.

Tony Petrello and Sally Groth are strikingly attractive as Romeo and Juliet, so it's no surprise that sparks fly the moment their eyes meet across a ballroom in an early scene, when neither is aware of the other's identity.

But they bring more to the roles than pretty faces. Both capture the playfulness of young love and the depth of despair over the bloody feud between their families, the Capulets and the Montagues.

The famous balcony scene -- so often parodied as to make the dialogue seem hackneyed -- was exquisitely performed and provided a memory to be savored.

Paula Duesing is marvelous as the Capulet's nurse, who suckled Juliet as a baby and tends to her needs to the end. Her blustery character provides some of the play's funniest moments before it evolves into a tragedy.

Director Thackaberry lived up to his promise to play the first half of the play as comedy, and it worked.

Colin Cook tickled the funny bone as the Capulet's illiterate servant trying to deliver written invitations he cannot read, and Morgan Lund was over the top as Mercutio, whose wry quips continued until his dying breath.

Lund also was fleet-footed in his dueling scene with Peter Voinovich, who plays Juliet's cousin, Tybalt. In fact, all of the action scenes are well choreographed and realistically executed.

Alex Cikra and Dyan Colpo gave solid performances as Lord and Lady Capulet. Howard Slaughter and Marci Paolucci had less to do as Lord and Lady Montague, but did it well and with regal bearing.

Tim Perfect looks like he was born to play Friar Laurence. Phillip Weems plays the Prince of Verona with a royal demeanor and beautiful bass voice.

MaryJo Alexander's costumes and Eric Benjamin's musical background were like just the right seasoning to a favorite dish.