Newcomer Julian Cihi Joins CSC's Off-Broadway Revival of Romeo & Juliet; William Hurt Withdraws

Julian Cihi and Daniel Davis complete the cast of Classic Stage Company's forthcoming off-Broadway production of Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet, starring Elizabeth Olsen as Juliet. Cihi will play the lovelorn Romeo Montague and Davis is set to replace previously announced Oscar winner William Hurt as Friar Laurence. Hurt withdrew from the production for personal reasons. Romeo & Juliet will kick off CSC's 2013-14 season with performances beginning on September 27 and opening night set for October 16. The production will play a limited engagement through November 3, directed by Tea Alagic.

In addition to Olsen, Cihi and Davis, the cast of Romeo & Juliet will include T.R. Knight as Mercutio, Daphne Rubin-Vega as the Nurse, McKinley Belcher III as Benvolio, Stan Demidoff as Paris/Sampson, Harry Ford as Gregory/Friar John/Watchman, David Garrison as Lord Capulet, Anthony Michael Martinez as Prince, Kathryn Meisle as Lady Capulet, Dion Mucciacito as Tybalt and John Rothman as Lord Montague/Apothecary. One of Shakespeare's most well-known and performed plays, Romeo & Juliet is a tragedy about two young star-crossed lovers whose deaths ultimately reconcile their feuding families.

Cihi is a recent graduate of the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University. He recently performed in the Williamstown Theatre Festival's productions of The Importance of Being Earnest and A Month in the Country. Cihi also starred in the Japanese tour of the hit musical Rent as Roger.

Davis' Broadway credits include Amadeus, Wrong Mountain, The Invention of Love, The Frogs and La Cage aux Folles. He has appeared in off-Broadway productions of The Dance of Death, The Cherry Orchard and Black Tie.

Shakespeare fans will be able to take in two productions of Romeo and Juliet this fall: In addition to CSC's off-Broadway mounting, Orlando Bloom and Condola Rashad are currently playing the title roles on Broadway.