Wood, whose father Ira David Wood, III serves as executive director of the Raleigh, NC theatre, will portray Juliet in the romantic tragedy. Specific dates of the May run have not been announced. The production will serve as a benefit for Theatre in the Park's annual fund for arts and education. Romeo and Juliet promises to be a family affair with Wood's brother Ira David Wood, IV scheduled to make his directorial debut on the production and Ira David Wood, III cast as Capulet. Linda Clark will portray Lady Capulet. Additional casting is expected shortly.

"Evan's first major role at Theatre In The Park was as Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker," Ira David Wood, III said in a statement. "Watching her work, there was no doubt in my mind that she was going to have an amazing career as an actress. We're all deeply grateful that she and her brother came to us with this project. It's always so important to come home and to give something back to the place and people who nurtured and helped guide you when you were just starting out. It's going to be a wonderful production and I'm grateful to have been included."

Evan Rachel Wood, who has appeared in such films as "The Wrestler," "Across the Universe," "Running with Scissors" and "Thirteen," recently revealed that she will make her Broadway debut in the new musical Spider-Man, Turn Off the Dark. While Wood has participated in readings of the musical, official casting has not been made.

Tickets for Romeo and Juliet will go on sale mid-March. For further information visit TheatreInthePark.