See it if you like new takes: R+J thru eyes of teenage girl. Youthful cast of 6 (4 w, 2 m) play all roles. In the round. No intermsn. Lacks emotion.
Don't see it if you want gr WS acting. Only Pisano shines (R&J disappoint). Commentary lost in last 1/3, was missed. Fun dancing. Study plot beforehand.
See it if you want a new take on the Shakespeare play set in contemporary dress with commentary by a young, first-time reader of the work.
Don't see it if you want the original play. It ran a bit long and the metal, folding chairs made for an uncomfortable evening.
See it if you want to see great acting and the work of young director, producer, actor, Alyssa May Gold, who shows great, but yet unrealized potential
Don't see it if if you want to see a strong, young female protagonist staunch in her beliefs Read more
See it if You’re a Shakespeare fan and you aren’t put off by reinterpretations. This is not a very strong production.
Don't see it if Your a traditionalist looking for Romeo and Juliet.
See it if You're up for a modern high school girl's understandable reactions and commentary as she reads R&J for the first time.
Don't see it if You like your Shakespeare straight and linear, with fewer cuts and a larger cast. Read more
See it if you can’t get enough Romeo and Juliet and enjoy it in a small theatre round with modern costumes, minimal set, and a young cast and spin
Don't see it if you are bored with Romeo and Juliet, cannot understand Shakespearean English even with unambiguous actor tells, or prefer romsnce to raunch Read more
See it if You like R&J enough to ignore uneven acting, unattractive modern costumes and minimal staging. Interesting ideas not fully realized.
Don't see it if You're expecting insights from the "teenage girl reading R&J for the first time". Relevant commentary at the start is basically dropped half Read more
See it if an accessible, energetic production of romeo and juliet with solid acting performed up close and personal sounds like fun
Don't see it if you expect more than a retelling of the story, like some backstory on the teenage girl or better commentary in some parts.
“Gold’s adaptation and direction tells the age old story through a youthful and feminist lens...The framing device of delivering the story through the lens of Maddie’s world is very successful. It is clear that Maddie is in control of how the story is perceived...The movement of the piece is fluid with quick fight choreography and charming dance choreography...It is always pleasant to enjoy an old story with a new twist, and Pocket Universe’s production gets it just right.”
Read more