There’s an easy temptation to fuss with Shakespeare. After all, audiences are familiar with his work and the scripts are open to interpretation. Often, this just becomes a silly trick -- we’ve set "King Lear" on Mars! -- but that’s certainly not the case with Children’s Theatre Company’s tight and powerful reading of "Romeo and Juliet."

Here, the staging becomes a major player. Presented in a promenade setting, there’s no way to escape any of the action, be it the simmering rivalry between the Montagues and Capulets, or the red-hot passion of the teen lovers at the center of the story. Director/adaptor Greg Banks (also responsible for a similar "Antigone" at CTC a few seasons back) cuts the work down to its bare bones, and then presents it with such energy and passion that the audience gets swept up into the mad action. Just like the characters, we never get a chance to pause and question any of the actions the lovers make, hurtling us just as much as them to their tragic end.

A rock-solid 10-actor company (along with two musicians) flies through the work, buoyed by the chemistry of Lindsey Alexandra Hartley as Juliet and Matt Rein as Romeo. Both are young enough to make you believe that they could be young teens, but talented enough to dive deep into the loving madness that possesses both characters. Other standouts include Autumn Ness as an earthy and loving Nurse and Dean Holt in a terrific double role as Lord Montague and Mercutio.

Credit is also due to the excellent work done by designer Joseph Stanley, who crafts a shabby Verona that is loaded with places for the actors to really play. Depending on stamina, your knees or feet may be complaining by show’s end, but the temporary pain is more than the worth it for this memorable production.

"Romeo and Juliet." Through March 15 at the Children’s Theatre Company, 2400 Third Ave. S., Minneapolis. $19 for students, $29 for adults. Recommended for ages 13 and up. Information: 612-874-0400 or online.