What I liked
I get so excited when I watch Shakespeare and it doesn’t feel like Shakespeare. The actors did a wonderful job of truly knowing what the words mean and having fun with the text. They found areas of humor and leaned in, whereas I feel so many versions of Romeo & Juliet do not. The chemistry displayed between multiple groups of characters felt realistic and strong. I enjoyed how and where the production made cuts to the original text. It flowed very well.
What I didn't like
Coachella seemed to be a major point of this piece. I would like clarity on how Coachella influences this story in a modern way as I had trouble determining the roles that these characters existed in for this world. The choice of having a drum set and guitar center stage the whole time is an awesome visual. If the production puts on this piece again, I would love to see them utilize a live band throughout the show to aid in the storytelling and transitions versus tracks.
My overall impression
A fun reimagining of a classic tale filled with great chemistry and a cool, modern aesthetic.