Evan Rachel Wood is returning to her roots at Raleigh’s Theatre In The Park to play Juliet in Romeo and Juliet in May. The production will be directed by her brother, Ira David Wood, IV. It will be a welcome break from the 21-year-old’s booming film career. Evan is starring in the upcoming Wood Allen film “ Whatever Works ” (to be released June 19) and made the tabloids this week with her possibly rekindling romance with Manson. Here is more on R&J:

As a native of Raleigh, Evan spent many hours on stage alongside her brother and her father, Ira David Wood III, Executive and Artistic Director of Theatre In The Park, and best known for his role as Scrooge in the Raleigh holiday classic, A Christmas Carol . Evan has chosen to return to Theatre In The Park after several Oscar nominated films, including Thirteen, Across the Universe, and The Wrestler . Evan will be joined on stage with her father, Ira David Wood III who will play Capulet, opposite Lynda Clark as Lady Capulet.

"Evan’s first major role at Theatre In The Park was as Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker," her father explains. "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."

Ira David Wood IV, an accomplished actor of TV, stage and film, last seen on stage as Malcolm in Shakespeare’s Macbeth at TIP, served as the assistant director of A Christmas Carol this past December, is thrilled at the opportunity to direct Romeo and Juliet .

This production of Romeo and Juliet is scheduled for May 2009, specific dates to be announced. Hollywood and Broadway celebrities are expected to attend. Romeo and Juliet is a fundraising event benefiting Theatre In The Park’s Annual Fund for Arts and Education. Tickets will go on sale mid-March, prices to be announced soon. Watch the theatre’s website for updates.

Auditions for the casting of 14 men and 5 women are scheduled for Tuesday, February 24 ^th and Wednesday, February 25 ^th at Theatre In The Park, starting at 7:00PM.  Auditions will be by appointment only. Scheduling is being managed by the theatre office manager.

Theatre In The Park, currently celebrating its 61 ^st season, is located in the northern end of Raleigh’s scenic Pullen Park adjacent to North Carolina State University. The theatre is acclaimed for its many outstanding theatrical achievements. Each season Theatre In The Park presents an exceptional series of productions including the very best in comedy, original musicals, Shakespeare, and contemporary drama. Theatre In The Park is North Carolina’s largest non-profit performing Arts organizations and is second in the region only to the celebrated Actor’s Theatre of Louisville in original works premiered. Theatre In The Park truly offers something for everyone.

MORE INFORMATION: Visit www.theatreinthepark.com or call (919) 831-6058