Juliet + Romeo

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 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'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.

Also The power, durability and malleability of Shakespeare's work never cease to amaze, all the more when watching young actors as they find their way through the material, bringing fresh perspectives and POVs.

Director Gold's conceit here — the play as seen through the eyes of an upset high school girl finding herself in Romeo + Juliet as she reads it for the first time — works well for the first two thirds, her cuts and pace funny and effective, but fails as plot lines and banishèd’s collect, slowing all to a crawl. A tighter focus on the modern young girl would have helped. Still, the lovely set, lights and ambient music at start kept all pleasant, as did Lauren Pisano and Trace Pope’s work, in particular.... Read more Read less

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

Also way through.

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 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

Also Gratuitous running sophomoric commentary by a young adolescent adds nothing to audience understanding of the plot and is irritating to a Shakespeare enthusiast.... Read more Read less

See it if you're eager for more stories told from women's perspectives, or have had your heart broken by a character, or are looking for fresh take

Don't see it if you're a Shakespeare purist, you are positive R&J is a love story, you like the status quo

See it if You like seeing new takes on established works, you read romeo and juliet in high school and yelled at the book, you enjoy theater

Don't see it if You prefer stricter, unimaginative interpretations

Also Having a teenage girl as the audience surrogate gave a wonderful new twist to the classical play. The way the set is transformed constantly is integrated seamlessly and executed flawlessly by the actors. The majority of them play multiple roles but through a combination of acting prowess and costuming there is never any confusion. At its core is the classic play, which the cast’s strong training and ability brings to wonderful life.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see an original, inventive "take" that combines great acting, staging and some humor, all done in 90 engrossing minutes.

Don't see it if You are a "purist" who cannot tolerate anyone reimagining Shakespeare.

Also Everything worked in this retelling of Romeo & Juliet. This is an inventive staging of a story that almost everyone knows. From the acting to the lighting, to the use of music--everything worked. I went expecting to be a little bored and instead left wanting more. The conceit of a teenage girl reading the play for the first time and hearing her reaction after being thrust into the action worked really well and interjected some much needed humor into the original text. Pocket Universe totally hit the bulls-eye on this one! I know I will go again with some friends before the run ends.... Read more Read less

See it if See it if you enjoy a fresh telling of the classic story, especially if you never quite understood or empathized with its characters.

Don't see it if Don’t see it if you are unmovably committed to well-known movie versions of the play.

Also I so enjoyed seeing talented actors move seamlessly though a modern teenage girl’s twinkle-lit bedroom as she experiences the play for the first time, peeling away the glory of the story’s tragic choices. Enchanting music and choreography.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to “rethink” some wording of this play (you most likely read first in high school). Like seeing twists on the Bard’s work.

Don't see it if You want a straight up reading of this play. Or don’t like plays with no intermission.

Also The music (especially as you walk into the space) really was great. And put you in the mind of angst filled teenager.... Read more Read less

See it if You like modern interpretations of Shakespeare. You like plays in intimate settings. You want a cast well-versed in classical text.

Don't see it if You prefer Shakespeare in its original format w/no cuts. You don't want a commentary on the verse. You prefer plays w/big production values.

See it if You're interested in Shakesperian stories told in a new way, Intimate spaces and small casts.

Don't see it if You need spectacle to be entertained or don't like Shakespere