The Verdict
Invigorating, sexual and stimulating—the Bard would be proud.

Tip Sheet One of Denver's Best Nominated best performance for making Shakespeare vibrant and alive for a 21st-century audience. Talent Indeed Four male actors (Gary Culig, Step Pearce, CJ Hosier and Joseph Norton) portray the entire cast of characters. All of Denver's a Stage If you're looking for slightly more traditional Shakespeare, check out the Colorado Shakespeare Festival in Boulder.

Plot Plus
Four boys from a strict, traditional Catholic school frolic in the forest re-enacting "Romeo and Juliet." The play takes us from schoolrooms where Latin is recited to the woods where fairies play.

The Twist
Two of the boys—played by actors Gary Culig and Step Pearce—become more involved in one another's love and sexuality than only acting would allow. The other two boys become uncomfortable—as the Capulets and Montagues do in Shakespeare's original play.

The Essence
A minimal black-box set dappled in swirls of light allows viewers to use their imaginations. A red piece of cloth, much like a talking stick, is handed from character to character, representing the nurse's aged wisdom as it hangs over her shoulders. The cloth also represents the blood from the sword that causes Romeo to be banished, and the bloodied dagger that ends the story in tragedy.
—Rachel Marsh and Bryce Edmonds

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