To kick off the school year, Miami Univerity Theatre continues its tradition of free theater in the park with the classic "Romeo & Juliet."

This edited version is based on Miami theater professor Howard Blanning's new research and insights into the script, said director Luis F. Midence.

"Blanning is our resident Shakespeare expert," Midence said. "He recently came up with some new theories about the characters of Paris and Benvolio that gives us a little bit more insight into 'Romeo & Juliet.'"

It's one of those Shakespeare plays in which nearly every major character ends up dead, including the two characters in question.

"Paris is usually cast as someone older than Romeo, but if you take the script literally, he's probably only 15, younger than Romeo but older than Juliet," Midence said. "He becomes the ultimate representation of platonic love and now by the time Romeo kills Paris, you get a whole new idea about him."

On the other hand, Benvolio - whose name suggests "benevolence" - is often seen as one "trying to preserve the peace." But, Midence said, there is evidence in the text that this vision of him is purposefully inaccurate.

"Mercutio refers to him as being 'hot tempered' and lies when he's confronted to protect himself, not Romeo."

This 90-minute version will be presented without intermission.