Directed and adapted by Mario Estep, Romeo & Julian is a queer take on the story of Romeo and Juliet, teenagers intoxicated by intense love. As I’m sure most of us remember, those years are fraught with dizzy sexual drive. Every problem is a zero sum game. Every issue a dream or nightmare. Every romance a matter of life and death. He captured animosity between hotheaded teenage boys, venting steam with violent, homoerotic impetus. Romeo’s closest buddy, Mercutio might be crushing on him. Mercutio has a knack for coarse humor. He mocks male brawling, and Julian’s nurse, implying lack of personal hygiene.
Estep’s drama is mostly true to text, with occasional liberties. Mother Lawrence (a drag queen) reassures Romeo with comfort and counsel. Some male characters are played by women. When Julian’s bullied and berated by Lord Capulet we wonder how many queer men replay that from their past. Julian swoons and camps, his loopy effervescence steals the show. Romeo & Julian weaves merriment, while preserving pathos and tragedy. When everything goes sideways, Romeo’s earlier plea: He that hath the steerage of my course. Direct my sail, feels grotesque. Cruelly ironic. Though he and Julian find a solution, they’re so consumed by fear of losing each other, they overreact.
Beacon Theatre’s (dedicated to queer content) production is at once convivial and absorbing. The performers dig deep: chewing scenery, reading some poor soul the riot act, flouncing or pouncing or lost in devastating grief. Their shine and effusion is both exhilarating and exhausting. The gaggle of queens have comic ingenuity: a mix of bawdy chatter, gossip, mama talk and showgirl glamour that will leave you in stitches. They talk us through the perils to come, and dunk on each other. How do they manage such bitchy verve, such cranky affect? Romeo & Julian wields the enigma and mystery of gender in all its shades.
The good folks at The Beacon Theatre were gracious enough to welcome me to the last performance of their inaugural show. Romeo & Julian was dazzling. It takes the myriad of this tragedy’s emotional landscape and hits all the notes. You can feel their need to include us in their enthusiasm. All in all Romeo & Julian is overwhelming, spectacular theatre.
The Beacon Theatre presented Romeo & Julian playing from February 12th-22nd, 2026, at The Cox (tehe) Playhouse, 1517 H Avenue, Plano, Texas, 75074. thebeacontheatretx@gmail.com.