Wherefore art thou, Romeo?

Although there are many stories about star-crossed lovers, William Shakespeare’s "Romeo and Juliet" has been the definitive story of tragic teenage love for more than 400 years. People of all ages can relate to the story of young love denied, but Eden-Lee Murray, education director of the Hawaii Theatre Center, says the story has special relevance for teenagers because of the issues that propel the story to its — spoiler alert! — tragic ending.

"Forbidden young love, hotheaded young men who think with their swords and take offense at the drop of a hat, dangerous choices made in the heat of a moment with little if any thought for what a choice might lead to down the line," Murray said. "Youngsters can certainly relate to any and all of that."

Murray and the talented members of the Hawaii Theatre Young Actors Ensemble are presenting "Romeo and Juliet" at the Hawaii Theatre next weekend. Third-year ensemble veterans Frank Coffee and Brianna Hayes star in the title roles. Among the other cast members are six "roustabout players" who play smaller roles, move set pieces and announce each change of scene.

The dialogue is "real Shakespeare," Murray promises. The story is told as a play-within-a-play to help the audience make a mental transition from "the present" to the story they’re watching.

"Adolescent audiences are far less likely to get bored or be disruptive if they have been won over to the side of the kids who’ll be telling the story from the stage," Murray explained. "When kids see their peers up on stage playing Shakespeare with clarity, confidence and authority, the takeaway is ‘If they can do that … what about me?’

"It’s unreasonable to expect a student audience to suspend their disbelief to the extent that they really believe the characters in the play are who they say they are. It is much easier for audiences of any age to accept that our cast is a band of actors who are in agreement with their audience that they are going to take parts to bring the story of Romeo and Juliet to life."

And so, the performance starts before the story of Romeo and Juliet begins. The actors come into the theater, bringing props and set pieces with them, prepare the stage area and engage with some one-on-one improvisation with audience members.

Every cast member has created a second, non-Shakespeare character for themselves who watches from the side of the stage but is still part of the show when they are not in a scene.

OK, so we all know how the story goes. Juliet is 13. Romeo is a few years older. Their families are blood enemies, but Romeo and some of his friends sneak into a big party hosted by Juliet’s parents. Romeo and Juliet meet and they fall in love.

The story is part tragedy and part comedy, with lots of romance but plenty of old-school violence as well. Award-winning fight chorographer Tony Pisculli has choreographed the swordplay that occurs when Romeo and his friends encounter members of Juliet’s family. For authenticity’s sake UH-Manoa assistant professor Amy Schiffner has created what Murray describes as "very ambitious period choreography" for the dancers in the scene where Romeo meets Juliet.

Theater for teens and preteens alike is often written and directed for the purpose of teaching the kids a lesson about what they should or should not do. Murray wants her production of "Romeo and Juliet" to be more about the joy of theater.

"I want them to be surprised by the degree to which they are swept up into the plight of these star-crossed lovers, and how relevant Shakespeare can be when well played. I want them to be carried along by the music of the language."

A free study guide is available at hawaiitheatre.com.