Full Circle Players have crafted a thoughtful and emotionally resonant evening of theater with their Shakespeare in the Park series, pairing the folkloric short play La Mujer Dormida as a prelude to a full-length performance of Romeo & Juliet. Staged at the gazebo of Riverside’s California Citrus State Historic Park and offered free to the public, this open-air production invites audiences into a shared space of myth and tragedy, creating a seamless bridge between cultural legend and classic literature. With La Mujer Dormida setting the tone with themes of love, sacrifice, and destiny, the transition into Shakespeare’s most iconic tragedy feels not only organic but deeply intentional.

La Mujer Dormida, which opens the evening as a preshow to Romeo & Juliet, has been thoughtfully reimagined since its debut in last year’s season, with the same foundational themes of love, sacrifice, and cultural legacy anchoring its newly refined staging. Adapted and directed by Steve Llamas with music and lyrics by Ángel Nieves and Llamas, the piece remains a poetic and emotional invocation of Mesoamerican myth, now enriched with more nuanced performances and tighter pacing. The updated version feels more grounded and immediate while preserving the lyrical storytelling and symbolic resonance that made the original so memorable.

At the center of this production is a deeply affecting performance by Rachelle Claire as Juliet. Claire commands attention from her first entrance, delivering Shakespeare’s language with clarity and emotional precision. Her Juliet is sharp, spirited, and grounded, a young woman in full control of her emotions even as her world unravels. Opposite her, Ivan Valencia brings a vulnerable sincerity to Romeo, capturing both the impetuousness and poetic longing that define the character. Together, their chemistry is magnetic, particularly in the balcony scene and the final tomb sequence, where the heartbreak lands with devastating impact.

Julian Carrasco delivers a standout dual performance as Tybalt and Friar John. His Tybalt is brimming with tightly restrained rage, his physicality and presence elevating each moment of tension. As Friar John, he shifts gears entirely, offering a subdued and introspective portrayal that highlights his range. His ability to inhabit both roles so convincingly is one of the production’s strongest assets.

A welcome surprise in this staging is the appearance of Wendi Johnson as the Nurse. Typically working behind the scenes, Johnson steps into the role with warmth and rich comedic timing, bringing a lived-in quality to the character that enhances the emotional weight of Juliet’s arc. Her performance is tender, funny, and deeply human, offering the audience both levity and pathos in equal measure.

The supporting cast helps build a world that feels cohesive and alive. Pierre Van Der Westhuizen and Stephanie Yglesias bring gravitas and emotional complexity to Lord and Lady Capulet, reinforcing the generational forces at play in the lovers’ doomed fate. Aaron Gomez’s Mercutio is a firecracker of charisma and sharp wit, adding both humor and heat to the first half of the show.

The setting itself adds another layer of intimacy and immediacy. Performed without elaborate set pieces, the production makes use of its surroundings—the golden light of sunset, the hush of the trees, the informal circle of audience members gathered on blankets and lawn chairs—to enhance the rawness of the story. It is theater distilled to its essentials: strong performances, clear direction, and a deep respect for the text.

Romeo & Juliet continues tonight and tomorrow, July 11 and 12, at the California Citrus State Historic Park in Riverside. The production then moves to Fairmount Park in Riverside on July 18 and 19, followed by performances at the Sun City Civic Association Amphitheater in Menifee on July 25 and at Lake Perris State Park on July 26. This is community theater at its finest, offering a fresh, heartfelt take on one of the most familiar plays in the canon. For those who think they’ve seen enough of Romeo & Juliet, this production makes the case that when done with honesty and passion, the story still has plenty to say. Ask ChatGPT