Teen Angst Directorís Interest in Youth Gives Fresh Insight Into ëRomeo and Julietí by Heather Nalbone In 2002, theater director PJ Paparelli met a young woman in Littleton, Colo., whose insight provided a new source of inspiration for his upcoming play. The woman was lonely and sad, but admitted to a fear of appearing weak should she ask anyone, especially an adult, for help. She was a high school freshman, most likely about 14 years old. Thatís also the age of the young maiden in Shakespeareís "Romeo and Juliet." Paparelliís fascination with contemporary American youth led him to direct his new teen-based version of the classic tragedy, which can be seen at the Folger Theatre. "Having spent the last few years listening to teenagers, I now hear the play with entirely different ears," Paparelli said. "This is a play about teenagers and the adults around them." In Paparelliís version, Nicole Lowrance (Juliet) is presumably much like the 14-year-old freshman he met in Littleton. Her tone of voice is sharp and deliberatingónot flowery and wistfulóas she croons over her desire for the son of her familyís enemy. She paces and cries and dashes around t he stage in a bout of aloneness just before taking the mysterious potion to feign her death. Casting for the Folger production was clearly influenced by the directorís newfound interest in the lives of todayís youth. Lowrance is nowhere near her 30s. The same goes for the majority of the cast. Aside from the scriptís few adult characters, most actors stand out for their youthful voices. Many of their encounters with each other are excitedly jittery, leaving little doubt that the characters on stage still have a good deal of growing up ahead of them. The lighting is only so-so, with mood-setting darkness getting a bit carried away at times. But itís nearly made up for by the well-lit, raging fistfights and battle scenes that were meticulously choreographed by fight director Paul Denhardt. Most interesting is the directorís focus on how much took place in such a short span of time. The audience is constantly reminded that the entire happenings of Romeo and Julietófrom first encounter to tragedyótook place in just five days. In 1999, it took just 16 minutes for two teenage gunmen to kill 16 students and a teacher at Columbine High School. The experience led Paparelli to pen "Columbinus"óa play he produced after spending months interviewing teenagers throughout the country, which debuts at the Roundhouse Theatre in March. "The tragedy felt familiar," Paparelli wrote in his directorís notes for "Romeo and Juliet." "Trouble seemed the only way for adults to notice the kids around them." "Romeo and Juliet" runs through Feb. 20 at the Folger Theatre, 201 East Capitol St., SE. Tickets are $30 to $48. For more information, please call (202) 544-7077 or visit www.folger.edu. Heather Nalbone is a contributing writer for The Washington Diplomat.