“Two space households - both alike in space dignity - in fair Verona, where we lay our space scene, from ancient space grudge break to new space mutiny where civil space blood makes civil space hands unclean.”

Joe Dowling’s William Shakespeare’s “Romeo & Juliet” on the Moon, featuring Kate Mulgrew as Lady Capulet is an original comedy by Christopher Kehoe, creator of 2010’s St. Christopher of Financial Aid and 2011’s Reykjavik, about improbable theatre and the audiences who see it. 

Cast + crew

Alex Brightwell
Role: Romeo

Hannah Steblay
Role: Juliet

Max Wojtanowicz
Role: Benvolio
Max makes faces and sounds for a living. He's so glad to do so with Chris, Natalie, and this out-of-this world cast and crew (that's such a gross joke but he's not ashamed)! You can also see him in Fruit Fly: The Musical at the Rarig Arena!

Paul Rutledge
Role: Mercutio
Paul Rutledge is thrilled to be returning to the Fringe with this incredible cast of hooligans, working on this wonderfully fun production. His last Fringe experience was 2009's Bard Fiction. Paul has previously worked with The Jungle Theater, The MovingCompany, Swandive Theatre, Theatre in the Round, Savage Umbrella, Nimbus Theatre, The Flower Shop Project, Upright Egg Theatre Co., Hardcover Theater and The Sheldon Theatre.

Laura Dandurand
Role: Nurse

Peter Ooley
Role: Tybalt
GREMLIN THEATRE: An Absolute Turkey; SANDBOX THEATRE COMPANY: The Mad Trapper of Rat River, Fargo; WALKING SHADOW THEATRE COMPANY: Squawk, Caligula, The American Pilot, Cryptogram; TORCH THEATER: Macbeth; POMMELHORSE: Sad Carousel; CROMULENT SHAKESPEARE COMPANY: The Tempest; L'ETOILE DUNORD: Ten November; BELLINGHAM THEATRE GUILD: Harvey; HULDOFOLK THEATRE COMPANY: Burning Bright, Largo Desolato; DARKHORSE THEATRE COMPANY: Keely and Du.

Karen Weber
Role: Lady Capulet
A graduate of the University of Minnesota in Theater, Direction and Scenic Design, Karen made her way from offstage to backstage to onstage and has stayed there ever since. She has worked over the last 17 years in various venues, locally, regionally and nationally. Based in the Minneapolis area, she has worked with The History Theatre, The Ordway Center, Park Square Theatre, Minneapolis Musical Theatre, Bloomington Civic Theatre, The Plymouth Playhouse, Troupe America, Actors Theater of MN, Theater Latte Da, Theatre in the Round, Gremlin Theatre, Jon Hassler Theater, The Playwrights’ Center, The Empty Space Collective, and Nautilus Music-Theater. Favorite roles include Charlotte (A Little Night Music), Lucy (Jekyll and Hyde), Eva Peron (Evita), Phyllis (Follies), Margaret Johnson (A Light in the Piazza), Maria Callas (Master Class), M’Lynn (Steel Magnolias), The Witch (Into the Woods), Suzy (Wait Until Dark), Fiona (How the Other Half Loves), Nellie Bly (FireBall), Rosa (Burning Patience), Jessica (Communicating Doors), Meredith (Bat Boy: The Musical), Rosie (Simpatico), The Beggar Woman (Sweeney Todd), and originating the role of Maureen (To All Men Named Jackson).

Leif Jurgensen
Role: Montague/Friar/Apothecary

Christopher Kehoe
Role: The Critic

Erin Denman
Role: The Fangirl

Mike Postle
Role: The Understudy

Dawn Brodey
Role: The Professor

Edward Linder
Role: The Husband
Edward is a Minnesota actor, director, producer and founder of TMJ Productions. Ed's most recent film was The Digit and the promo for Theatre Unbound's Julius Caesar, plus he has been part of the 48 Hour Film Project for the past five years. He was last seen onstage in Nightpath's The Three Sisters and as directed one of last year's twisted plays for Freshwater Theatre's A Festival of Awkward Moments. Check out what Edward's doing creatively visit www.tmjproductions.com for his most current stuff.

Natalie Novacek
Role: Director

Joseph Papke
Role: Text Coach

Kiley Cermak
Role: Costume Designer

Megan Vaughan
Role: Make-up Design & Construction

Christian Carter
Role: Production Manager

Sarah Perron
Role: Stage Manager

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User reviews

Who knew Shakespeare could be fun
by Greg Abbott
Rating 4 stars
Loved the reviewer and the Janeway fan. This odd show is exactly why I go to the Fringe.

What?
by Feba Hauer
Rating 5 stars
Somehow, this worked. It was funny, it was Shakespearian, it was accessible, it was full of surprises, it was self-referential without being annoying or pretentious. And the angry women's lib professor tied the whole show together. She was perfect.

Out of this World fun!
by Bradley Johnson
Rating 5 stars
I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this show, but I sure was pleasantly surprised! It was very well written, acted and directed. Had me laughing at every turn!

Excellent!
by Eliz D
Rating 5 stars
LOVED THIS SHOW!!! SEE IT!!!

R&J on the Moon
by Greg Bernstein
Rating 5 stars
WOW! Fantastic performance to the whole crew. Loved Juliet and the Understudy. Funny performance. I saw it twice. Thanks for the great show!

Thee-ate-er
by Bill Stiteler
Rating 5 stars
Absolutely loved this theater-as-Rashomon show that examines how people can view the same production. Hilarious and knowing.

Brilliant
by Andrew Troth
Rating 5 stars
Just awesome in every way. There wasn't a moment I didn't love.

My favorite of the year
by Curt Lund
Rating 5 stars
Brilliant. So funny, so sharp and clever. My favorite among 20+ shows this year so far -- wish I would have seen it earlier so I'd have the chance to see it again.

Joe Dowling's William Shakespeare's...
by R. Schow
Rating 5 stars
This is a fantastic show. The script was super smart and funny, and the cast was superb! This is a must see.

Very impressed!
by Mohamed Yakub
Rating 4 stars
Easily one of my fringe faves! Large cast, and everyone hits the mark spot on... the final "narrator" story was a bit weak (for me) but overall the show was fabulous!
I want to see it again....!

Would see it again.
by Jesse Villarreal
Rating 5 stars
Another winner here, easily my favorite at the Fringe. I was worried the beginning would just be narrated by the most obnoxious man in the world but it only got better.

The Friar....wow....

Brilliant, excellent
by David Trudeau
Rating 5 stars
The best comedy of this year's fringe. Well conceived and written and directed and acted with precision. What really makes it work for me is that when the Shakespeare is happening it is dead on good and that makes the goofy setting and outrageous interjections by the interloping commentators even funnier. Christopher Kehoe is a genius in my estimation. See it.

The Critic!!!
by Tristine Miller
Rating 4 stars
What a great show for a Shakespearean mash-up! What?!?! At Fringe? Go figure?!

But I found the outliers most humorous and the traditional roles very solid. The Critic and The Professor stole my heart! But, damn, the staging for The Professor reminded me of the annoying fangirls in my lectures who seem to think their conversation is above all other topics at hand, and so it was for Lady Capulet.

If you want a chopped down version of Shakespeare, this is the show. Where the slice and dice is actually fun and the new additions make it a worthy story to tell!

Wonderful
by Captain Jack
Rating 5 stars
This is was fantastic! The script, the costumes, the dances, the staging, the performances, the adaptation! Everything was great! And hilarious!! Everyone in it was fabulous! And I looooooved that robot!

Needs more Aztec jockstraps
by Rick Treece
Rating 5 stars
Brilliant premise, poking fun at the traditions of efforts to revitalize Shakespeare (and other classics) with offbeat settings, or to market them with big-name stars in obscure (but gratuitously beefed-up) roles.

More substantially, the payoff is parallel to something I've heard in church contexts: even the worst, most rambling sermon in history may have contained just the nugget that God needed one parishioner to hear.

In this case—a theatrical production, no matter how ill-conceived and executed, can't be utterly dismissed based merely on the opinion of drama critics, disappointed fans, literary analysts (3 standout performances), or even members of the company, if it touched one audience member in a significant and life-changing way.

A Hoot
by David Woolley
Rating 4 stars
How can you criticize a show that deliberately skewers itself at every turn?

Highlights for me were Christopher Kehoe as a deliciously obnoxious, self-satisfied theater critic, and Dawn Brodey as the angry feminist professor who points out every instance of Shakespearean misogyny. And despite the fact that the show means to be campy, there is some genuinely fine acting going on here. There are some weak spots, but overall this show is very creative, very funny, and very enjoyable.

but soft.
by Amber Bjork
Rating 4 stars
This is a clever, clever script, a damn fine cast, and a really good time.

Both clever and too clever
by Derek Miller
Rating 4 stars
Everything you've heard is true. There's too little R&J and there's too much R&J. The script is clever and too clever. It's as unfocused as the fake R&J it mocks and it has laser-focused, biting wit. It's just a joke and it's solemnly serious. Whatever you want from it, you'll probably get.

The show attempts two feats at once: sending up the Guthrie's overblown productions and dressing down the parade of nitpickers who overanalyze the Old Blue Lady's every choice. It doesn't quite succeed at either one but it does start a good discussion. Between the stupid, pandering choices made in the fake R&J and the angry, selfish demands made by the outside commentators watching the mess, is there any joy or wonder left in making theatre?

Yes please!
by Sheena Janson
Rating 5 stars
For those of us who are not well-versed in Shakespearean literature, and just need a little more insight, this show is for you! Although set on the moon with aliens and jumpsuits, the caliber of talent is not compromised and the entire cast is generous with wit and superb comedic timing. Well done!

Nailed it
by Tony Ducklow
Rating 5 stars
Really enjoyed this show. The humor is really targeted for the insiders of the theater community, but when you know your audience you can really land your jokes. The wit and the creativity of the script was incredible. Highlighted by a top of the heap cast. A must see of this years fringe!

Nailed it.
by MaryLynn Mennicke
Rating 5 stars
Easily my favorite fringe show so far. As a Trekkie, a feminist, a Guthrie lover/hater, and a Shakespeare lover, I was absolutely dying of laughter with this play's clever send-up of large-scale, "themed" Shakespeare. What others wrote is true - the acting by the Shakespeare actors is exquisite. The audience is robbed of the moments where the dialogue between the audience members and onstage actors overlaps, because our attention is split between two absolutely intriguing things going on - simultaneous brilliant acting with Shakespeare, and hilarious satire. But it's not too much, and the play never takes itself too seriously. From the title and description, this play is everything I wanted it to be and more. Wishing for more room to rave!

Where can I buy a Fr Lawrence figurine?
by John Middleton
Rating 5 stars
Loved the play. Loved everybody in it. Loved the mind behind it.

A Warped Love Letter to the Theatre
by Hazen Markoe
Rating 5 stars
Set amidst a rather bizarre fictional Guthrie production of "Romeo & Juliet" in outer space, this wickedly funny ode to the theatre takes hilarious pot shots at many prominent aspects of today's theatre and the wacky things (like a robot Friar Lawrence) that producers pull off get those butts in the seats. Adding to the humor are wry observations from a self-important critic, a hyper-feminist professor, a geeky Star Wars groupie, a rather disgruntled understudy, and an average family man. From the opening "announcement" over the intercom to the final wacky tableau, this show had its audience tickled with laughter throughout the show. Definitely one of the highlights of the Fringe for me!!!

Well done!
by Vicki Joan Keck
Rating 4 stars
I am such a fan of Romeo & Juliet that I could have practically said the lines along with the cast members, which were VERY well cast. Writer Kehoe is hilarious as the stuffy critic, but I could have done with less of the other extraraneous (sp?) characters that show up throughout the play. The concept and setting is funny enough without having to add these in, and the Lit professor showing up was especially distracting and annoying for me.
The acting was stellar -I can imagine the main actors all playing the roles for real in a literal production of the play. Hannah Steblay as Juliet & Paul Rutledge as Mercutio were the standouts, and Friar Lawrence really rocked as well. Nice job - I look forward to more of the PB factory in the future!

Smart, Smart Show!
by Lisa Landreman
Rating 5 stars
I loved this show. It could be too smart for some, and the Romeo and Juliet show and the meta show that happens on top of hit could be difficult to follow. I love that it is a show that expects the audience to be attentive, open, and smart. The wit is fabulous but it is integrated into a brilliant concept with a very talented cast. I love that it asks theatre folks and all of us who love theatre to not take ourselves too seriously. This is a quintessential Fringe show and the only one I'm seeing a second time so I can take friends.

Too Insider-y?
by Mark Long
Rating 4 stars
This show is very funny and worth seeing. My only criticism is that if one of the insider bits was left out, it might be smoother overall. Normally when you tally all of the elements in a show like this (no spoilers), it would seem destined to be a Fringe-y mess. It's not. It's good.
[The critic was hysterical and probably could have his own Fringe show (hint, hint...2013).]

Maybe just not my thing
by Marie Simpson
Rating 2 stars
I really did not enjoy this production as much as several other audience members seemed to. I found it hectic and confusing and I wasn't sure what it was attempting to be. The use of a R2D2 type character just seemed too much.

Professionally done
by Christian Ricci
Rating 5 stars
Playwright Chris Kehoe demonstrates some terrific writing, supported by fantastic acting. Each actor (whether in the R&J or one of commentators) plays their part with complete earnest - everyone takes this wackiness so seriously - it's a hoot!
Really well crafted show from top to bottom, this show is beyond regular Fringe quality.

Breaking Dawn
by Stephanie Long
Rating 5 stars
If you are attending the fringe, you most likely love theatre. A given? This show is full of so many clever theatre jokes that it almost made me want to jump up and scream, "I'm a THESPIAN!" Almost.

The script is funny, smart and moving.

I titled this "Breaking Dawn" because the Fringe made me label it, but also because Dawn Brodey's performance is so dead on that I think my fringe experience was made in her 5 minutes of stage time. I confess I do know her, but that usually makes me a harsher critic, and I don't know her that well.

Five well deserved stars from me to the whole cast - if I could afford flowers for them all - I would think about buying them dozens

Multi-faceted deconstruction
by Windy Bowlsby
Rating 5 stars
I teach English and Theater. So, yeah, I *know* Romeo & Juliet. LIke, whoa.

But what I also know is how important it is to look at literature and art and consider the "lens" - consider all the different ways you can interpret what you are seeing.

This. Was. Brilliant.

It's not about theater, it's not about Romeo & Juliet - it's about how each of us sees what we want to see, and reinforces what we want to believe. And the beautiful - yes, a bit obvious but always good to remember - take-away that even the worst piece of dreck can affect SOMEONE.

Also - robots.

Very entertaining
by Kelly Rosenthal
Rating 4 stars
The concept of R&J on the moon would be funny enough, but this is R&J with side commentary by five outside characters. A really wonderful group of actors--even though the R&J part of the play was a send-up, the actors playing the parts from R&J did such a great job I was sometimes irritated by the side commentary, because I wanted to follow the main play!

I died
by Publius McGee
Rating 5 stars
I died because it was so good. The razor sharp wit cut me to ribbons. The tight staging spun my head all the way around. The cheekiness stung. The utter cleverness blew my mind and left me twitching. Not only was this a masterful show, but the Shakespeare was even terrific! I would absolutely watch Romeo & Juliet on the Moon, with this cast.

Two infintesimal complaints - Ms. Feminist Teacher talking over the dialogue didn't work (couldn't hear her - and I feel like she could have legitimately screamed at that point), and I had no idea who Kate Mulgrew was (and the context clues didn't come fast enough for me to catch some of Miss Gotta Pee's earlier jokes) - but I suppose I could have done that research in advance.

Over the top
by Linda Zelm
Rating 2 stars
Apparently this is a spoof of the Guthrie. Understood only by 1. theater folk, 2. Romeo andf Juliet fans. It was too confusing for an ordinary person to follow. The inclusion of the space theme was unnecessary and more bizarre. And frankly stupid. As a spoof with commentary and a plot, it would be much better without the space stuff.

Exceptionally clever
by Will Weisert
Rating 5 stars
The use of Shakespeare as the vehicle for examining the foibles of those in orbit around 'theater' is a big gamble but one that really pays off for Mr. Kehoe. Well acted, well staged, and actually deeper than what I'd expected walking in.

Mr Kehoe, your play made me smile.

Scar Trek
by August Berkshire
Rating 2 stars
Boldly going where no boredom has gone before.

Forget the reimagining of Romeo and Juliet, which, as the critic says at the beginning, is rather stupid. This is a play about the people commenting on the reimagining. As such, it's only moderately interesting - the highlights being a bit of the feminist take on it and the average guy at the end. Judging by the size of the rush line and the people who laughed at the insider theatrical jokes, the audience was at least a third made up of colleagues, if not friends, of the large cast. But since the R&J play itself was stupid, and only a bit of the commentary was interesting, I found this bit of theatrical self-indulgence to be only mildly amusing.

Tremendous use of 50 minutes
by Claire Alexander
Rating 5 stars
This show was a fantastic and refreshing way to approach Romeo and Juliet. Don't let the bogglingly-long show title mislead you: the show flows easily from one highly entertaining line delivery to the next. I felt like I got an entire performance and was shocked it was done in as little time as Fringe allows (and wished there was more). Great energy, great mechanic for introducing new characters while staying engaged with the storyline. Loved it.

All the World's a Stage
by Mark Mikula
Rating 5 stars
A really brilliant show. Very smart and compelling. It's a time-honored tradition to mount Shakespeare in the Fringe, and this multi-layered homage does all sorts of sophisticated tricks to honor the source material and bring it to light through a range of perspectives--all without dishonoring the original text of Shakespeare. Quite a feat! At the risk of being skewered in a future production for being a critic, I humbly submit this review in the hope of encouraging you to seek out a ticket.

Shakespeare Squeaks
by Sergius OShaughnessey
Rating 4 stars
If Joe Dowling was no longer in this physical world, he would be rolling over and over in his grave for funnybone tickling.

My favorite so far
by Amy Kritzer
Rating 5 stars
This is a well-written and impressively performed show. It skewers all the types of people with a stake in the Bard--critic, professor, actors, directors--but honors the audience members who find meaning in the plays, sometimes in spite all the above.

Were those fondue torches?
by Annie Scott Riley
Rating 5 stars
Dawn Brodey roasts Shakespeare almost as gloriously as Kehoe roasts the misguided panderings of many a modern theater. While it took a moment to get into the fast-paced headspace where "audience members" interact with the people on stage, this show makes you feel like Shakespeare is your best friend (or maybe you just went to college together) and therefore you are in on an inside joke. Kehoe's farcical, philosophical musings are a pleasure to indulge in, and for a hot second toward the end, you get a glimpse into the maturity of his structure as he throws a bone to the transformative validity of the medium, despite it's many flaws. There were stellar performances, both in and out of moon-verse, there was a really good robot, and I left feeling a had just witnessed a well-measured, slightly intoxicated debate at a theater party. Well done to all.

My God, It's Full Of Stars
by Eric Wentling
Rating 4 stars
This was a purposefully cheesy remix of R&J set on the moon. Before the viewer can get annoyed by this concept, several audience members including a snotty theater critic, a militant feminist drama teacher, and a nerdy Star Trek fan all take turns talking over the drama and giving their own take on it. A very clever way to spice up a show. I really felt the end was the high point.

Holy poop
by Cato Brutus
Rating 5 stars
This show should not exist. I don't know how this could exist. A competent, nay, SUPERIOR send-up of one of the worst scourges of the Fringe, the Shakespeare mashup. It further should not exist, because the Shakespeare parts are better acted and more affecting than many "serious" versions I've seen. And it does it all with Romeo and Juliet, which is the Shakespearean equivalent of "Twilight" for the Elizabethan set.

All we need now an amazing show that features white people rapping, and I will shoot myself in the face before frogs start raining from the sky.

No Mulgrew necessary
by re gurgitate
Rating 5 stars
Don't go for the Shakespeare. Go to see quality actors having fun with a laugh a minute script, and allowing us to share in the good times. Kehoe and Brody are the standouts. I love me some Dawn Brody!

Hilarious and Surprisingly Touching
by Phillip Schramm
Rating 5 stars
The constant commentary works well in grounding the performance from getting too crazy as well as working as a unique lens in which people view Shakespeare. The writing is top notch, which helps provide the narrative for the individuals making commentaries. This is a must see.

Very professionally done.
by Eric Salo
Rating 4 stars
This is a well-crafted show containing some very funny moments. It starts particularly strong as a ridiculous lunar version of R&J. After a while, though, the sci-fi twists tend to taper out a bit and that's unfortunate.

And I've never seen a better Juliet anywhere; Hannah Steblay completely nails the part. Take away the green skin and she could fit beautifully into a traditional production of the play.

Reviewing the Reviewers
by William Marth
Rating 5 stars
I'll be honest, I was concerned that this was a show that didn't know what it was doing with itself right away. I would have been content with Kehoe's critic character hanging out the whole time, and it took me a while to realize just what we were watching.

Once I did, though? A very unique concept, a fresh take on R&J seen through completely different eyes. Recommended.

something different
by Jess Lindgren
Rating 3 stars
An EXTREMELY solid cast - believable characters (loved Critic, Friar, and Professor), excellent stage presence, fun costumes, and a beautiful use of the TRP space.

I don't think I fully understood what was going on - went in expecting something different than what was presented. Not in a bad way, just...different. :) R&J as a comedy was fab, though the interjections sometimes bordered on too long/annoying.

(I would have liked to see the entirety of R&J On The Moon on its own...Fringe 2013?)

Very entertaining :)
by Claire Karges
Rating 4 stars
Although all the characters like the critic and the professor got a bit confusing, I enjoyed the show. It was very interesting and I would certainly recommend it for an older audience who have some experience with Shakespeare.

Delightful - a must see
by Roger Rosvold
Rating 5 stars
What a surprise! Cleanly acted by a thinking, dedicated cast who understands the language (!), presents it meaningfully, and manages to make me laugh throughout. Excellent pacing.

The Friar stole the show! I wouldn't change a thing.

Shakespeare with special Bonus Features
by Scott Gilbert
Rating 5 stars
These people know their Shakespeare and how to do it right. Kehoe's script was funny as always, but I enjoyed the self deprecating humor about how we as artists often take ourselves to seriously. Stebly's performance as the Martian Juliet was wonderful. I didn't like a couple of the added characters that made social commentary on modern theatre, but I loved Fangirl and the Professor! There were a couple technical difficulties with the robot, but I believe they were intentional - if not they worked and should be kept.

A Clever Look at Reimaginings
by John Stevens
Rating 4 stars
Okay, so this is a little different. That's what Fringe likes in their plays. And it was geeky enough for what I like in my play. Come for Kate Mulgrew, stay for a satric look at modern theater. Love the Fangirl. I've known various incarnations of her.

Best Shakespeare for parsecs
by Daniel Barnes
Rating 5 stars
Clever, complex, funny, surprising -- and conveniently showing right here in town. (Getting to the Delta Quadrant's Fringe Festival is such a slog!) Take advantage of the locale and catch this show. It's as professionally fringey (fringely professional?) a production as you're likely to see, and the Round is the perfect venue for it.

A post-modern delight
by Aseem Kaul
Rating 4 stars
This is a delightful show, combining 'highlights' from a fictional performance of R&J set on the moon with real-time commentary on the performance itself. The result is a show that offers a comic perspective on the various ways Shakespeare is viewed and interpreted (or misinterpreted) while managing to be hilariously fun. A couple of the 'interjections' went on too long (The Fangirl, in particular, soon got rather annoying), and the ending seemed a little rushed, but overall this is a must watch performance for anyone who loves Shakespeare without taking him too seriously.