NEW YORK — The carefree days of summer are behind us, making way for a fall filled with the classic works of Shakespeare.

“Romeo + Juliet,” which premiered on October 24 at Circle in the Square Theatre on Broadway, presents a bold, youthful twist on Shakespeare’s timeless tale of love. This dynamic production, directed by Sam Gold (known for last season’s remarkable “An Enemy of the People”), has already attracted a massive fan base thanks to its talented young leads, Kit Connor (“Heartstopper”) and Rachel Zegler (“The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes”).

Gold endeavors to inject fresh life into the 1597 text, which has been staged countless times across the globe for over four hundred years, including more than thirty Broadway productions. While the performances sometimes capture the intimacy and beauty of the story, the frenetic pace may leave older audience members feeling worn out rather than emotionally moved.

As soon as theatergoers arrive in the lobby, they’re welcomed by a vibrant atmosphere filled with Charli XCX’s music and lively decorations, featuring stacks of cheerful teddy bears amidst bright colors. The actors take to the stage early, mingling, embracing, and even playfully interacting with the audience while gathered around a cart filled with plush toys. The ambiance is reminiscent of “teens hanging out in a Target parking lot,” but with more poetry and sparkle.

This version transforms fair Verona into a lively underground party, almost akin to a laser tag arena. When Romeo (Connor) and Juliet (Zegler) make their entrance, they are perched on staircases alongside gigantic teddy bears, keenly observing the feuding families that will lead to their tragic fate. However, Gold struggles to build tension between the Capulets and Montagues, as many cast members take on multiple roles. (Sola Fadiran, portraying both Capulet parents, delivers a standout performance.)

When not delivering lines, the cast engages in playful, affectionate interactions, often collapsing onto the floor in affectionate piles. This leads one to ponder, “Couldn’t a little more love help these feuding families?” (Most likely, yes!) However, the characters become too intertwined and poorly defined, leading to a lack of real conflict between the Montagues and Capulets. Unlike last spring’s “The Outsiders,” which effectively presented an intense rivalry among rival gangs, this production lacks the necessary sharpness to create genuine tension.

Despite some flaws, the production shines brightest when it allows its captivating stars to take center stage. Connor proves to be a revelation as Romeo, embodying both the gentle charm of a golden retriever and the strength of a Navy SEAL. In one of the most memorable moments, he scales Juliet’s balcony, drawing gasps from the audience as he shares a passionate kiss with Zegler. His performance is infused with humor and sensitivity, perfectly matching the lyrical beauty of Shakespeare’s words.

Similarly, Zegler embodies Juliet with a clever humor and deep emotionality, transforming her into a character that resonates with maturity and awareness of her influence. The chemistry between her and Connor is wonderfully infectious; she commands the stage with confidence, especially during Juliet’s poignant soliloquies in Act 2.

Zegler also showcases her singing talents with original songs by pop musician Jack Antonoff, channeling her inner Christina Aguilera during two distinct performances. While the songs may not significantly contribute to the storyline, they serve as a fantastic showcase of her vocal prowess.

With such an impressive duo at the forefront, one can only wish for a stronger production to accompany their talents. Gold’s vision sometimes feels overwhelmed…

Isabella Byrd’s impressive lighting creates some stunning visuals on stage, especially during the balcony and finale scenes. However, Dots’ scenic design often feels cluttered in such a limited space. You might also notice the cast’s mismatched outfits designed by Enver Chakartash, which can make it seem like they dressed in poor lighting.

This energetic new interpretation of “Romeo” attempts to throw everything at the audience, often feeling anxious and not fully trusting the talented cast and the strong script to shine on their own. In its eagerness to convey youthful energy, Gold tends to strip away the show’s more intense and thrilling moments.