Boomerang Theatre Company’s world premiere of Mercutio Loves Romeo Loves Juliet Loves at ART/NY puts a Shakespearean twist on coming of age and coming out in NJ in 2005. Written by Gina Femia, the youthful, funny, and touching story follows three seventeen-year-olds at an intolerant all-girls Catholic school, where they are cast in the eponymous roles for the school play and become intertwined in rehearsals, friendship, and romantic attractions – though, as indicated by the title, not to the same ones who have a crush on them. Leah Nicole Raymond and Stacey Raymond. Photo by Isaiah Tanenbaum. The show opens with longtime BFFs and drama club regulars Ellie and Britt adamantly professing their shared hatred of cheerleaders, after a homophobic attack by members of the squad that left Britt cut and bleeding, and straight bestie Ellie wiping the blood from Britt’s face. But that across-the-board aversion doesn’t last long, when Amber, whose leg was injured while cheering, gets the role of Juliet opposite Britt’s Romeo, Ellie (who was expecting to be Juliet) is cast as Romeo’s best friend Mercutio, and the three become increasingly open and bonded with each other as they prepare for the play together, do warm-up exercises and dance (lively choreography by Brad Landers), and share the truths about their sexual identities, and ultimately, their dashed feelings for each other. Under the vibrant direction of Scott Ebersold, the quick-paced three-hander captures the energy and spirit, speech patterns and attitudes, moves and demeanors of 21st-century teens – before the omnipresence of cell phones – in highly entertaining and empathetic performances by Leah Nicole Raymond as Ellie, Stacey Raymond as Britt, and Rocky Vega as Amber that render their characters relatable and likeable, keep us laughing at their quips and rooting for their happiness, and remind us of the universal growing pains and anxieties of adolescence. Rocky Vega. Photo by Isaiah There are hilarious scenes of the out and outspoken Britt coming from yet another detention for challenging the restrictions imposed by the school (including the prohibition of any kissing in the performance of Romeo and Juliet), Amber becoming completely exasperated by not being able to remember the lines of the play, to understand what they mean, or to perform the warm-up exercise smoothly with Britt, Britt and Ellie inscribing silly names on tombstone decorations for the Halloween Dance (where girls aren’t permitted to dance with each other), Ellie showing up costumed as a zombie cheerleader, the friends fangirling to “My Heart Will Go On” and “Defying Gravity,” having a drunken sleepover and playing Never Have I Ever with explosive results, and, in general, just being teenagers. And there are heartrending segments of the rejections of their romantic advances and feelings of betrayal that are delivered with genuine emotion, as is Ellie’s simpatico interpretation of Mercutio as not just Romeo’s best friend but as the one (s)he loves. Stacey Raymond and Rocky Vega. Photo by Isaiah Tanenbaum. Supporting the excellent cast is a telling artistic design. The set by Emmett Grosland recreates the look of a traditional Catholic school, with a small stage in the auditorium, doorways, a bench, the St. Williams Academy logo inscribed on the floor, and a large crucifix looming over the scene, then shifts easily to the bedroom where the three have their increasingly fraught sleepover, enhanced with props by Kristen Vanderlyn, lighting by Derek Van Heel, and sound by Sam Kaseta (including the noise of the students outside, the school bell, and a soundscape of the pop hits of the time). And costumes by Brynne Oster-Bainnson are both character-defining (Ellie wears the plaid skirt and knee-socks of the girls’ uniform, Amber is dressed as a cheerleader, and Britt, who refuses to wear a skirt, dons a boys’ uniform of grey pants) and plot-defining (with the sidesplitting Halloween costume of the zombie cheerleader and the historic stylings of Romeo and Juliet). Leah Nicole Raymond and Stacey Raymond. Photo by Isaiah Tanenbaum. The good news is, unlike Shakespeare’s tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, they all survive, though not without feeling the pain of unrequited young love, the release of affirming who they really are, and the fond memories of their pivotal time together and heartfelt impact on one another. Mercutio Loves Romeo Loves Juliet Loves is a thoroughly engaging show with terrific performances, writing, and direction that are perfectly balanced between comical and sensitive, spirited and poignant, while driving home the meaningful message of the challenges of coming of age, being yourself, coming out, and being accepted with the help of friends when you feel like an outsider. It will make you laugh, feel, and think, so be sure not to miss it. Running Time: Approximately 90 minutes, without intermission. Mercutio Loves Romeo Loves Juliet Loves plays through Sunday, November 24, 2024, at Boomerang Theatre Company, performing at ART/NY, The Jeffrey and Paula Gural Theater, 502 West 53rd Street, NYC. For tickets (priced at $10-80, plus fees), go online.