Knight Arts Blog April 10, 2012
Unfolding behind the scenes at Florida Grand Opera’s (FGO) production of Gounod’s Romeo et
Juliette is a budding romance. It is not the star-crossed lovers you would expect, but rather two
sword fighting opera singers on opposite sides of the Montague-Capulet fence. They are real-
life opera couple Ryan Milstead and Courtney McKeown. The pair met as members of FGO’s
Young Artist Studio and will play opposite each other for the first time in the tumultuous sword
fight scene at the center of the plot.
Interestingly, their relationship and deep trust makes fighting easier. “I think it is wonderfully
ironic that the first thing we do together involves a huge sword fight … [but] being a couple
makes it much easier to make our fight realistic,” said Milstead. Their relationship affords them
unparalleled trust and a genuine rapport needed for the demanding and often comical sword
fight.
By Stefanie Hew, Florida Grand Opera
Unfolding behind the scenes at Florida Grand Opera’s (FGO) production of Gounod’s Romeo et
Juliette is a budding romance. It is not the star-crossed lovers you would expect, but rather two
sword fighting opera singers on opposite sides of the Montague-Capulet fence. They are real-
life opera couple Ryan Milstead and Courtney McKeown. The pair met as members of FGO’s
Young Artist Studio and will play opposite each other for the first time in the tumultuous sword
fight scene at the center of the plot.
Milstead, a baritone, is Gregorio, Tybalt’s right hand
man and a devoted servant of the Capulets.
McKeown is a mezzo-soprano, a voice type that often portrays adolescent male characters, and
sings the role of Stephano, Romeo’s pageboy. “Being a mezzo and a baritone, it is harder to
come up with situations where we would actually get to play opposite of each other, which is
kind of a bummer,” said McKeown. They have both sung in La rondine and Rigoletto, but have
never performed roles that allow them to interact with one another on stage – until now.
McKeown is a mezzo-soprano, a voice type that often portrays adolescent male characters, and
sings the role of Stephano, Romeo’s pageboy. “Being a mezzo and a baritone, it is harder to
come up with situations where we would actually get to play opposite of each other, which is
kind of a bummer,” said McKeown. They have both sung in La rondine and Rigoletto, but have
never performed roles that allow them to interact with one another on stage – until now.
Rehearsals are currently underway for the famous love
story and the two singers are enjoying
the production immensely, speaking highly of director and fight choreographer David
Lefkowich. An enthusiastic newcomer to sword fighting, McKeown is finding ways to work
parts of her spunky, feminine personality into her role as a 14-year-old boy. Milstead, who got
his first taste of stage combat back in 2005, is excited to have another stab at it while working
closely with the person he trusts most.
the production immensely, speaking highly of director and fight choreographer David
Lefkowich. An enthusiastic newcomer to sword fighting, McKeown is finding ways to work
parts of her spunky, feminine personality into her role as a 14-year-old boy. Milstead, who got
his first taste of stage combat back in 2005, is excited to have another stab at it while working
closely with the person he trusts most.
Interestingly, their relationship and deep trust makes fighting easier. “I think it is wonderfully
ironic that the first thing we do together involves a huge sword fight … [but] being a couple
makes it much easier to make our fight realistic,” said Milstead. Their relationship affords them
unparalleled trust and a genuine rapport needed for the demanding and often comical sword
fight.
“Our dynamic as a couple is one of great fun and
humor, so it works so well in this fight,” said
McKeown. “Stephano is trying to prove himself … and just wants to look cool. At one point, I
poke him [Milstead] in the butt with my sword and he gets mad; it’s cute and funny.”
McKeown. “Stephano is trying to prove himself … and just wants to look cool. At one point, I
poke him [Milstead] in the butt with my sword and he gets mad; it’s cute and funny.”
Contrary to what they both thought it is actually
Gregorio (Milstead) who wins this fight.
“While it might have been a pleasant surprise to wind up with the upper hand in this fight, I will
gladly admit that Courtney is quite often the one who wins our fights, but that is just fine with
me because I am so happy to have her,” he says.
“While it might have been a pleasant surprise to wind up with the upper hand in this fight, I will
gladly admit that Courtney is quite often the one who wins our fights, but that is just fine with
me because I am so happy to have her,” he says.
Watch the chemistry of this real-life romance play out
on stage. Romeo et Juliette opens April
21 at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts. For more information, please visit
www.FGO.org.
21 at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts. For more information, please visit
www.FGO.org.
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