Rage, passion, betrayal, desperation and what might have been.  Such is the language of Actors’ Shakespeare Project’s faithful yet contemporary take on Shakespeare’s classic Romeo and Juliet and it is all the better for it.

With visionary direction by Marianna Bassham, Actors’ Shakespeare Project is concluding its current season with Romeo and Juliet live and in person through Sunday, June 2 at the Calderwood Pavilion in Boston, Massachusetts.  This lively production runs 2 hours and 20 minutes including a 15 minute intermission.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

Set in Verona, scenic designer Saskia Martinez’s eye-popping set layered in textured bursting fuchsia with Deb Sullivan’s vibrant and symbolic lighting and a suspenseful, foreboding and electronic-infused score create a unique and edgy vibe as the beige hooded Capulets and black hooded Montagues roam the stage.  Heart shaped sunglasses, sneakers, and combat boots are just a few of the highlights of Lisa Coleman’s modern costume design.   

Nothing less is appropriate for this expressive and engaging cast that is more than well versed in the material.  Having seen Shakespeare done in various capacities, this particular cast brings an elevated meaning to Shakespeare’s work and one does not have to be a Shakespeare fan or know Shakespeare to comprehend this production’s brilliant interpretation.  This show reveals no weapons and it is certainly not necessary for the clarity presented onstage.  The well paced production depicts the playful camaraderie within the Montague clan as well as the turmoil, tension, and sheer rage between houses led by Capulet leader Sandra Seone-Seri as threatening and tempestuous Tybalt.

This is also no contemporary reboot of this classic production though a self glow ring light is humorously used by Esme Allen who portrays Juliet’s delightfully materialistic cool mom Lady Capulet.  Christopher V. Edwards delivers a commanding performance as Juliet’s father Lord Capulet especially in a pivotal scene later in the production.  In black nail polish, Michael Broadhurst as Mercutio is a life of the party wild card.  Broadhurst is teasing and playful with dark undertones as Romeo’s best friend and shares some mischievous antics with Nicolas Zuluaga as handsome and earnest Benvolio.

Jesse Hinson performs double duty as the Apothecary seamlessly while delivering an epic and foreboding sound design in real time onstage using a sound board and a lone reverberating electric guitar. 

However, what this production does best at is love in every form including naïve, unscathed, willful, endless and true love delivered by Chloe McFarlane as Juliet and Evan Taylor as Romeo. 

Partially narrated by Jules Talbot who takes on a number or roles during the production, Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet focuses on two clans at war between the Capulets and the Montagues.  When Evan Taylor as Romeo Montague sets his eyes on Chloe McFarlane as Juliet Capulet, it is love at first sight.  Then things get complicated.

The electricity between McFarlane and Taylor only intensifies as the production progresses.  Passionate Romeo and virtuous Juliet not only share some tender love scenes, but genuine humor in their mutual admiration.  Paula Plum delivers a wondrous and compassionate performance as Nurse who shares such a lovely rapport with McFarlane as Juliet.  Plum’s Nurse is protective and more maternal than Juliet’s own mother and it is moving to witness her unwavering belief that Romeo and Julie’s love goes far beyond names.  It is a belief that could prevent a lot of suffering onstage and off.

Parting is such sweet sorrow so see Actors’ Shakespeare Project’s Romeo and Juliet live and in person through Sunday, June 2 at the Calderwood Pavilion in Boston, Massachusetts.  This compelling production runs 2 hours and 15 minutes including a 20 minute intermission.  Click here for more information and for tickets.