"The company opened "Romeo and Juliet" at Dukesbay Theater this weekend, and did it with style and grace… Mr. Olson (Romeo) performs the intricacies of Shakespeare's dialogue as well as anyone on stage. His pacing is expertly accurate, and his stage presence is palpable… The lovely Ms. McRill (Juliet) handles the dialogue as if born to the task. She is pensive, in love, angry, and distraught by turns and in exactly the proper measure… And stage combat is one of the true strengths of this show. The intimacy of the Dukesbay stage means the crowd is within 15 feet of the flashing knives. Fakery would be easily seen. But, the actors who fight in this show make the audience believe danger is afoot!" - Kim Hastings (Axs.com)
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Review: New Muses turns ‘Romeo and Juliet’ back into a compelling teen drama - Tacoma News Tribune1/18/2016 "(W)hen you discover a production that not only says something new with “Romeo and Juliet,” but says it in a compellingly contemporary way, you rejoice… once the lovers get going, this production starts to soar. Olson makes a moody, Hamlet-ish Romeo, flitting with ease between wholehearted passion and cynical weariness. He woos Juliet (Jenna McRill) with charm and adorable insecurity, and McRill responds with a startling wisdom and a real sweetness… Sara Geiger is perfect for the joshing, tough-faced Benvolio (with a surprise twist); Deanna Martinez brings out both the gabbling comedy of the Nurse and her deeper, caring side. Lance Zielinski makes a calm and philosophical Friar Laurence… Set inside a cinematic scene sequence with an emotive backdrop of pop soundbites (Beyoncé to Lorde), this “Romeo and Juliet” dives inside the teen mind, pulling the Renaissance firmly into our present. If you have a teen in your life, this is the Shakespeare you’ll want them to see. And if you don’t, see it anyway and ponder that crazy period in all our lives when only death is as strong as love." - Rosemary Ponnekanti (Tacoma News Tribune)
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