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ACT ONE:

In the beautiful city state of Verona, conflict is rife between the two rival families of Capulet and Montague. The warning words of the ruling prince, who realizes what deadly danger lies in the dispute, are ignored.

Romeo, the young son of the Montagues, is a melancholy romantic idealist looking for true love. Juliet, daughter of the Capulets, dreams of giving her love to the right man. Her father, however, wants to marry her to Paris, the arrogant but wealthy nephew of the Prince. He gives a ball where Juliet is to meet Paris. Romeo, his cousin Benvolio, and his friend Mercutio gatecrash the ball, where Romeo and Juliet meet and fall in love at first site. Against all opposition they are determined to fight for their love.

Romeo goes to see his friend and adviser, Father Laurence and asks him to marry him to Juliet. After initial hesitation, Father Laurence agrees to the plan since he hopes this is the way to reconcile the two families. In a secret wedding ceremony, with only Laurence and Juliet's nurse as witnesses, the two are married. For a brief moment, love is triumphant.

ACT TWO:

In the streets of Verona, word has spread about the love between Romeo and Juliet. Juliet's cousin Tybalt provokes a fight in which Romeo's friend Mercutio is killed. Enraged with feelings of guilt and rage, Romeo grabs and dagger and kills Tybalt. The Capulet and Montague families and the Prince arrive hastily on the scene. The Prince sends Romeo into exile to Mantua. Romeo and Juliet's last night together, their secret wedding night, ends with the song of the lark. Romeo has to depart for Mantua.

Lord Capulet has scheduled Juliet's wedding to Count Paris for the next day. When Juliet hears about this she turns to her old nurse for help. When the nurse advises her to comply, Juliet goes to see Father Laurence. He hands her a potion that while only putting her to sleep will make her appear dead. He wants to send a letter to Romeo to tell him about this plan and get him back to Verona. But Laurence's letter never reaches Romeo. The potion has its effect on Juliet, the news about her alleged death spreads rapidly on the streets of Verona. In deep despair about the news, Romeo buys a bottle of poison and storms to Verona. There he opens the crypt of the Capulet's and sees Juliet's body laid out. In order to join her in death, Romeo swallows the deadly poison. He dies while kissing Juliet goodbye. Upon awakening, Juliet realizes that Romeo his dead. She takes his dagger and stabs herself in order to be joined with him for all eternity.

Father Laurence, who has learned that his letter has not reached Romeo, hastens to the crypt. He finds the two bodies. The tragic scene overwhelms the two families who have also arrived at the crypt. They realize that they are to blame for the death of the two young people and decide to bury their children together.