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The Acton Players reimagine “Romeo and Juliet” with a female Romeo, 1980s style and a modern perspective.

Sara Gluck as Romeo, right, and Eliza Zangerl as Juliet, kiss as the Acton Free Pulic Library lawn audience looks on during a scene from the the Acton Players presentation of William Shakespeare’s “Romeo And Juliet” on Saturday, August 1, 2026. Sara Gluck, 21, of Billerica, is a rising senior at Salem State University. Eliza Zangerl, 22, of Waltham, is a 2026 Harvard graduate. Both leads are first-time performers for Acton Players. Ken McGagh/The Acton Bridge
Eliza Zangerl, left, as Juliet, and Sara Gluck as Romeo kiss as the Acton Free Public Library lawn audience looks on during the August 1 performance.

Romeo is still named Romeo, but in this summer’s Acton Players production of William Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy, “Romeo and Juliet,” Romeo is a female-identifying member of the queer community. “I wanted to take a show that is well-known and make it important to a modern audience but still honor the original words and intentions of Shakespeare,” said director Mike Haddad. The only real change to the dialogue was the use of she/her pronouns in reference to Romeo, Benvolio, and some other characters, Haddad said. The modernized production also featured 1980s music and clothing styles. “I love this role so much,” said Sara Gluck, 21, who played Romeo. “I always thought [Romeo] would make sense as a girl.” Eliza Zangerl, 22, played Juliet.

Photos: Ken McGagh/The Acton Bridge

Eliza Zangerl, as Juliet, proclaims her love of Romeo from a balcony during the A World’s A Stage Players in association with the Acton Players presentation of “Romeo And Juliet” at the Acton Free Public Library lawn on Saturday, August 1, 2026. Acton Players presented William Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy with costumes and colors hailing from the 1980s. Ken McGagh/The Acton Bridge
Eliza Zangerl, as Juliet, proclaims her love for Romeo in the balcony scene. The World’s A Stage Players, part of the Acton Players, presented Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy with 1980s-style costumes.
Sara Gluck as Romeo proclaims her love of Juliet during Acton Players presentation of “Romeo And Juliet” at the Acton Free Public Library lawn on Saturday, August 1, 2026. Gluck, 21, of Billerica, is a rising senior at Salem State and first-time performer for Acton Players. Ken McGagh/The Acton Bridge
Sara Gluck, as Romeo, pledges her love to Juliet.
Shakespeare's timeless tragedy gets a 1980's reimagining Eliza Zangerl, as Juliet, dances with her Romeo during the masquerade ball scene at the Acton Free Public Library lawn on Saturday, August 1, 2026. Ken McGagh/The Acton Bridge
Romeo and Juliet dance at the masquerade ball.
Shakespeare's timeless tragedy gets a 1980's reimagining Sara Gluck as Romeo, right, and Eliza Zangerl as Juliet kiss during the masquerade ball scene during the Acton Players presentation of William Shakespeare’s “Romeo And Juliet” at the Acton Free Public Library lawn on Saturday, August 1, 2026. Sara Gluck, 21, of Billerica, is a rising senior at Salem State University. Eliza Zangerl, 22, of Waltham is a 2026 Harvard graduate. Both leads are first-time performers for Acton Players. Ken McGagh/The Acton Bridge
Romeo and Juliet seal their passion with a kiss.
Ed Bernard, one of two cast members from Acton, strides through the Acton Free Public Libary lawn audience as Pastor Lawrence during the Acton Players presentation of “Romeo And Juliet” on Saturday, August 1, 2026. Ken McGagh/The Acton Bridge
Ed Bernard, one of two cast members from Acton, strides through the audience in the role of Friar Laurence.
Maggie Stewart of Acton, as Gregory, performs on the outdoor stage at Acton Free Public Library lawn during the Acton Players presentation of “Romeo And Juliet” on Saturday, August 1, 2026. Stewart is a 2026 Emerson College graduate and a first time performer with Acton Players. A total of eight cast members made their The World's A Stage Players debut in this year's production. Ken McGagh/The Acton Bridge
Maggie Stewart of Acton, a 2026 Emerson College graduate and first-time performer with the troupe, performs the role of Gregory.
Shakespeare's timeless tragedy gets a 1980's reimagining The audience fills the Acton Free Public Library Lawn during a Saturday night performance of William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” on August 1, 2026. Ken McGagh/The Acton Bridge
The audience stretches across the library lawn.
Ed Bernard of Acton, right, as Pastor Lawrence, and Sara Gluck as Romeo, in a scene from “Romeo And Juliet” at the Acton Free Public Library lawn on Saturday, August 1, 2026. Ken McGagh/The Acton Bridge
Sara Gluck (Romeo) and Ed Bernard of Acton (Friar Laurence) share a moment.
Eliza Zangerl (Juliet) and Kathleen O’Connor (Nurse) in a scene from Acton Players presentation of “Romeo And Juliet” at the Acton Free Public Library lawn on Saturday, August 1, 2026. Ken McGagh/The Acton Bridge
Eliza Zangerl (Juliet) and Kathleen O’Connor (Nurse) converse.
Romeo and Juliet, Sara Gluck, right, as Romeo, and Eliza Zangerl as Juliet, embrace during the Acton Players presentation of “Romeo And Juliet” at the Acton Free Public Library lawn on Saturday, August 1, 2026. Ken McGagh/The Acton Bridge
The star-crossed lovers embrace.

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