Joe Calarco has a long relationship with “Shakespeare’s R & J.” The play he adapted and directed ran for a year Off-Broadway, the longest running version of “Romeo and Juliet” in New York history, earned him a Lucille Lortel Award. Subsequent productions in Chicago, Washington, London and Tokyo brought further honors, including Helen Hayes Award nominations for best play and best director.

Now, an artistic associate at Signature Theatre, Calarco returns to Washington to direct the North American premiere of his latest revision. “Shakespeare’s R & J” is running at the MAX Theatre as the company’s first in-the-round endeavor.