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In his engagingly cute Modern Orthodox, playwright Daniel Goldfarb brings culture clash to temple with a battle between Orthodox Jews and their liberal, Reformed Jew opposites. Yuppie Manhattan financier Ben and his doctor girlfriend, Hannah, may have met their match, though, in young Hasidic diamond merchant Hershel. Hershel, who looks like a Hasidic Beastie Boy, sells Ben an engagement ring and then weasels his way into the couple's apartment. Hershel moves in while he looks for a suitable bride. As he searches, he berates the frazzled Ben and Hannah for their slackness of religion until they surreptitiously place an online personals ad that connects him with quirky but Orthodox Rachel. The production's comedic timing is on, although that doesn't always save the play from its muddled plot. Starring Benim Foster, Jason Schuchman, Rachel Jones, and Margery Lowe. (Through July 31 at Caldwell Theatre Company, 7873 N. Federal Hwy., Boca Raton. Call 561-241-7432).
William Shakespeare needs no excuse. And the Shakespeare Project 2005, an ambitious summerlong festival now on stage at the New Theatre, holds the immense promise of some of the most exciting drama the world has known. Romeo and Juliet, which will be followed at the New Theatre by The Merchant of Venice in July and by Macbeth in August, already makes good on much of that promise. Rafael de Acha's direction is sensitive and swift. And the best performances -- from Euriamis Losada's irresistible Romeo to Kimberly Daniels' humorous and heartbreaking nurse -- offer revealing, shining facets of that kaleidoscope known as Shakespeare. Here are beautiful actors persuading us that American English is the way to make this verbal music truly sing. There is real life in this festival. (Through July 3 at the New Theatre, 4120 Laguna St., Coral Gables. Call 305-443-5909.)