One of Shakespeare’s most beloved plays will open the Broadway and More Series at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke’s Givens Performing Arts Center. This unique performance is one night only, Thurs. Sept. 14 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $26 and $21 for adults, and $5 for children and students. The show is sponsored in part by Dr. Cheryl Locklear.

Shakespeare’s romantic tragedy, considered to be one of the most famous love stories of all time, finds Romeo and Juliet, two star-crossed lovers, caught in a feud between the Montague and the Capulet families and a secret marriage that ends in despair.

The production of Romeo and Juliet is a first for GPAC, an artist-in-residence show produced on the GPAC stage using a professional cast. Lindsay Pearce, who plays Juliet, has appeared in the hit TV shows “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Glee,” as well as numerous film and stage productions.

“Working with two of UNCP’s core values – innovation and collaboration – we wanted to do something unique for our audience,” said James Bass, director of GPAC. “University Theatre director Jonathan Drahos and I brought our resources together to do something that would benefit our GPAC audience as well as our students.”

Bass said that a group of professional actors from Los Angeles and New York will star in the key roles, while working with University Theatre students to provide them with a professional experience filling secondary roles.

Jonathan Drahos is directing the play. In addition to his film and stage work, including dozens of Shakespeare plays, the director most recently helmed the revival of “Strike At The Wind!” in June at GPAC.

Other season performances at GPAC include “Extreme Escapes and Illusions” on Sept. 22, Derik Nelson and Family on Sept. 26, and the “Martial Artists and Acrobats of Tianjin” on Oct. 19. “Who’s Bad,” a tribute to Michael Jackson will be presented on Oct. 27.

Romeo and Juliet is one of several that is being held in conjunction with the Act I Diner’s Club. Themed meals will be available for an extra charge and will be served in the Chancellor’s Dining Room prior to performances in GPAC. Call the GPAC box office at 910-521-6361 for information.