32 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JUNE 18-24, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com ONSTAGE Things are not well in the citystate of Verona, divided by familial feud and reckless pursuit of power. The Montagues and the Capulets are not only at war with each other, they also take opposite sides on the conflict in Vietnam. Their people are on the street, protesting for peace or agitating to finish the job. But when they chant “win the war at home,” it’s taken promptly and literally—murdering each other in a flurry of what, if we follow with the assumption that it’s 1968, looks like modern gang violence. Romeo Montague, played by extremely likable Elijah Eliakim Hernandez, loves life and love. He chases his dreams and urges around town, immature but seemingly earnest. Juliet Capulet—played by Los Angeles actor Celeste Lagrange—is ready to become a bride and dares to choose a man (read: fate) for herself. She is a charming combination of childlike good nature and readiness to face womanhood. Lagrange does a beautiful job portraying this duality. Hernandez and Lagrange are the lovers in the most recognizable of Shakespeare’s plays, which is the main offering of New Canon Theatre Co.’s summer 2026 season. Directed by Noah Lucé, it’s an ambitious choice of popular material and bold artistic decisions, for example the introduction of 20th-century politics. Spanish lines are added or exchanged for English text, incorporating lines from Pablo Neruda’s 1964 translation of the play. The replacement of Italian flavor with accents familiar to an American setting feels seamless. The dialogues feel impassioned, humor is evident and all possibilities of body language are exploited. Romeo and Juliet’s crush resonates as fresh and genuine, and J. Matthew Gordon is entertaining as Mercutio—definitely one of the strongest deliveries, dripping with teenage masculinity. Juliet comes with her own retinue. The warm, overbearing diva nurse is larger than life and charismatic as played by Christina Martos. Juliet’s cold, manipulative mother is played by Justine Stock, who returns in the second act as the apothecary, compensating for the stiffness of Lady Capulet by becoming a hippie witch and choosing her own side in the story. Romeo & Juliet runs 7:30pm Thursdays-Saturdays and 4pm Sundays, through June 28. Outdoor Forest Theater, Santa Rita and Mountain View, Carmel. $65; $55/seniors/teachers/military; $20/students. (831) 2751441, newcanontheatre.org. MANNY ESPINOZA PHOTOGRAPHY Wherefore Romeo New Canon Theatre Co. gives updated justice to Shakespeare’s particular brand of summer sadness. By Agata Popęda Celeste Lagrange tempts fate as Juliet while Elijah Eliakim Hernandez gives Romeo a joy of life, even as their two families tear each other apart. INDOOR AND OUTDOOR DINING AND TAKEOUT Eat + Drink 57 Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey 831-373-1851 www.abalonetti.com ’25 LUNCH & DINNER SERVED DAILY from 11:30am-8:30pm Monterey County’s Best Calamari ’25 BEST RESTAURANT IN MONTEREY COUNTY! JOIN US NIGHTLY FOR DINNER AT 4:30PM TWO HAPPY HOURS DAILY 4:30-6PM & 8-9PM 3-Course Early Menu, $59, 4:30-6pm Daily Call or go to sardinefactory.com for details, reservations. 701 Wave Street, Monterey, 831-373-3775 WOOD FIRED PIZZAS, BURGERS, PASTA, SALADS, SANDWICHES AND MORE 11:30AM MON-FRI, 10AM SAT & SUN melvilletav.com 484 Washington St., Downtown Monterey 831.643.9525 HAPPY HOUR FOOD & DRINK SPECIALS Daily 4-6pm WEEKEND BRUNCH WITH BOTTOMLESS MIMOSAS BEACH HOUSE RESTAURANT + BAR @ LOVERS POINT ★ CASUAL CALIFORNIA DINING INDOOR & PATIO DAILY AT 4:30PM 620 OCEAN VIEW BLVD. PACIFIC GROVE 831-375-2345 • BEACHHOUSEPG.COM LOVERS POINT BEACH CAFE OPEN DAILY, 9AM–4PM ’24 Best Restaurant in Pacific Grove OPEN EVERYDAY for DINNER at 4:30pm Offering all your favorites plus wine, cocktails, bottle and draft beers. Now Serving Snake River Farms’ American Wagyu Prime Rib. 763 Wave St., Monterey | 831.373.3778 | thewhalingstation.com ’25 Best Steak Monterey’s MOST Recommended Pizzeria Open at 4pm Mon-Thurs • Open at 3pm Fri Open at 12pm Sat.& Sun. 725 Lighthouse Ave, Monterey giannispizzamonterey.com 831-649-1500 BEST PIZZA ’98-’24 BEST PIZZA PLACE ’25 Fisherman’s Wharf’s Newest Restaurant Serving Fresh Seafood, Pasta, Steaks, Sandwiches Open Daily at 11:30am Great views at the end of the Wharf #1 www.rockfishmonterey.com • 831.324.4375 Indoor and Outdoor Dining on the Dog Friendly Patio Tapas (Happy) Hour 4:30–6pm Nightly Sunday Brunch 9am–1:30pm 700 Munras Ave., Monterey | 831-375-0176 | estebanrestaurant.com ’25 Best Appetizers/ Small Plates
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