Review: Romeo & Juliet

Review – Romeo &  Juliet  | Shakespeare in the Wild | deKoevend Park at Goodson Rec Center in Centennial, CO | Curtain Up! | Eric Fitzgerald | August 19, 2025

Presented free to the public in a grassy pocket of suburban Centennial, CO, Shakespeare in the Wild’s production of Romeo & Juliet offers a clear-eyed take on the star-crossed tragedy. Under Carrie Colton’s keen direction and choreography, the production favors emotional precision over spectacle, leaning into the performances and trusting the text to do its work. There’s a quiet reassurance in a staging that allows the tragedy to breathe—unadorned, sincere, and anchored in the play’s enduring rhythm.

The Story

Most of us know the story—two young lovers from rival families fall for each other in medieval Verona, Italy, and tragedy follows. Despite the complexity often found in most of Shakespeare’s storylines, this production highlights the singular vision of the star-crossed lovers. We follow the tender, high-stakes journey of Romeo (Brandon Billings) and Juliet (Charlotte Gray) as they navigate first love in the shadow of her father, Lord Capulet (Steve Wilson), whose willful control and dislike of the Montague lineage shape the course of their fate. Romeo’s father, Lord Montague (Jim Hitzke), carries an equal grudge against the Capulets, perpetuating a rancor that simmers for many years until finally coming to a head through the innocent love of Romeo and Juliet.

Beyond the central romance, Shakespeare populates the world of Romeo & Juliet with vivid supporting characters—like the spirited Nurse (Stephanie Faatz Murray) and the contemplative Friar Laurence (Leigh Miller)—each adding texture and tension to the unfolding tragedy. Tybalt’s (Beau Fisher) pursuit of honor and Mercutio’s (Bussy Gower) wit inject volatility into the narrative, setting the stage for irreversible consequences. All of these characters form a chorus of competing loyalties and temperaments, amplifying the stakes and deepening the emotional resonance.

Direction and Music

Carrie Colton’s direction of Romeo & Juliet makes all the right calls, starting with the production’s location. The set is nestled between two towering trees, creating a natural proscenium that feels both intimate and expansive—an ideal spot for the production to call home. With exposed wooden scenery and a simple white linen sheet as the backdrop, the design is stripped down in a way that highlights the performances and keeps the focus on the story. It’s an innovative, grounded approach that honors Shakespeare’s roots while making the play feel fresh and accessible. Colton’s choices reflect a clear understanding of what makes outdoor theatre work: simplicity, connection, and a sense of place.

Adding a layer of emotional texture to the evening, Michelle Davis’s live violin performance is both haunting and beautiful—underscoring key moments with a sensitivity that elevates the entire production.

The Actors

As the doomed lovers, Billings and Gray are on equal footing in their portrayals of Romeo and Juliet. Billings, a Colorado native and currently an MFA student at Florida State University Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training, returns to his home state this summer with an impressive list of previous local credits. His performance is both reflective and filled with passion as he discovers true love. Colorado newcomer Gray is both tender, albeit not overly fragile, and capable of deep feelings. She is a welcome addition to the local theatre scene.

As the Nurse, Murray turns in a highly charged performance that adds humor and depth to the production. Her loyalty to Juliet is tantamount to that of a trusted servant and confidante, and Murray delivers a highly emotional performance given these parameters. Miller, Founder and Executive Artistic Director of Shakespeare in the Wild, tackles the role of Friar Laurence with measured grace. He is restrained as he maneuvers through the complexity of the storyline, but displays the right amount of emotion as the lover’s trajectory begins to fail. It is a solid performance, a performance that anchors the play’s moral tension, giving Friar Laurence the weight he deserves as an important character in  Romeo & Juliet’s tragic machinery.

As summer wanes, Shakespeare in the Wild delivers one last, stirring encounter with Romeo & Juliet in deKoevend Park at Goodson Rec Center in Centennial, CO. Director Carrie Colton’s choices ground the show between two towering trees, with a minimalist set that lets Shakespeare’s language shine, and the performances take root. It’s thrilling in its clarity and generous in its reach, satisfying longtime theatre patrons while inviting newcomers into the fold with ease. Playing through August 31, the open-air setting, the free admission, and the sense of community all add up to a production that feels exactly right for this moment. If you’re looking for one last artistic breath before fall settles in, this is it.