Old Rochester Regional High School is shining a spotlight on angst, rivalries, murder, drugs, and strange lingo with an after school special that’s bigger than life.

This week, the school’s drama club will unveil its production of “Romeo and Juliet” and Director Paul Sardinha says it’s “monumental.”

The cast and technical crew top 100 students, there are more than 100 costumes, and 20 scene changes.

“It’s Shakespeare, so I don’t want it to be skimpy,” said Sardinha.

In addition to Costume Designer Helen Blake, the production has a host of teachers, parents, and volunteers working behind the scenes to make the play a success.

“It’s the first high school full-scale production of it that’s been done in over 30 years in the area, and I know why,” joked Sardinha.

Since September, Sardinha’s students have lived and breathed the tale of the star-crossed lovers, a play that’s complex language has baffled high school students for generations.

“It’s been an immense amount of work, but the kids have been doing brilliantly with it,” said Sardinha. “I’m psyched. They’re ready for an audience.”

Getting to that point meant getting a better grasp on the play.

“I had already read the play, but I didn’t really understand it,” admitted Katie Kiernan, who plays Juliet.

Kiernan said with the help of English teachers Kathy Brunelle and Randy Allain, who read lines with the cast, she was able to gain a new appreciation for the play.

Daniel Donohue, who landed the role of Romeo, agreed.

“At first, it was really difficult to get the language down. Once you do, it’s almost cooler than regular English because the word plays are so much richer,” he said.

Preparing for the play went beyond Shakespearean English.

Choreographer Chris Lamontagne spent 21 hours with the students to prepare them for the sword fighting scenes.

“It’s a lot easier to understand the lines when you have the motions going with it, and you’re watching the whole scene rather than just reading it,” said Alex Milde, who plays Romeo's best friend Mercutio.

Plus, for all their pomp and circumstance, the costumes aren’t too bad either said Milde, “We are in tights. How could it not be fun?”

ORR’s production of “Romeo and Juliet” runs November 15 to 17 at 7:30 p.m. and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, November 18. Ticket prices are $10 for students, and senior citizens and $12 for the general public.

They may be purchased at the door and will also be sold at The Pen and Pendulum in Mattapoisett, Plumb Corner Market in Rochester, and the Marion General Store.

For information, call Lisa Cardoza at 508-758-6762.