Large-scale productions of the show are rarely seen in the U.S., due to the perceived difficulty in finding young actors with classical chops to play the title roles. Rossum is best known to theatre audiences through her film role of Christine in "The Phantom of the Opera." Other movies include "Poseiden" and "Mystic River." Lysy, a Williamstown veteran, was recently seen Off-Broadway in Second Stage's The Water's Edge.

They will be joined by Remy Auberjonois as Tybalt, Bill Camp as Friar Laurence, Enid Graham as Lady Capulet, Kristine Nielsen as the Nurse, Nyambi Nyambi as Sampson, Paul O'Brien as Montague, Daniel Oreskes as Capulet, Joe Plummer as Paris, Sandra Shipley as Lady Montague, Ian Unterman as Gregory and Benjamin Walker as Mercutio.

Choreography is by Tracy Bersley. Fight choreography is by Rick Sordelet. The composer is Michael Friedman. Set design is by Takeshi Kata. Costume design is by Jenny Mannis. Lighting design is by Matthew Richards. Sound design is by David Thomas.

Will Frears will pilot Romeo and Juliet.