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When Spotlighters Theatre Artistic Director Fuzz Roark enthusiastically told the audience prior to the performance of Equus that this production is “special,” he rather understated it. In fact, Roark would have been on target had he called it a “masterpiece,” for that it surely is.

William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is an ancient play as it was written sometime between 1591 and 1595. The language used, Elizabethan English, is rather arcane. And the costumes reflect 16th-century everyday wardrobe. But the Baltimore Shakespeare Factory’s production of Romeo and Juliet, though staying true to the original work, adds a dose of freshness and contemporary whimsy that makes it a fun experience – the play’s tragedies notwithstanding. An unexpected moment, for example, occurs when cast members begin to dance to “Call Me Maybe” during the play.

The 2nd annual “Drag-U-Cation” event will take place at CCBC Essex on April 24 at 2:30 p.m. Shane Messick, an organizer of the event, says, “This is a fabulous drag show and an opportunity to learn about the drag culture.”