SOURCE: Genzlinger, Neil. Review of Romeo and Juliet. New York Times (9 May 2002): E5.

In the following review, Genzlinger characterizes the cast of Shepard Sobel's 2002 staging of Romeo and Juliet at the Pearl Theater in New York City as generally “workmanlike” in their roles, but admires a few powerful moments in the otherwise spare production.

Everyone knows that high school proms, rampant at this time of year, are a dangerous idea foisted upon us by the formal-wear industry. Yet for generations, parents have looked the other way, dressing up their teenagers like adults and sending them out to indulge.

In the East Village, however, the Pearl Theater Company is challenging this tradition with a grim, sometimes violent play that shows in stark terms what can happen when hormones stampede. The name of the play? Romeo and Juliet.

Yeah, Romeo and Juliet. Because, you'll recall, the whole sad chain of...