BY CLAY BARBOUR
Of The Post and Courier Staff

     Dov Weinstein had seen the tiny plastic ninjas in vending machines all over New York City.
     They were children's toys, small trinkets meant to excite the imagination of young minds.
     But something about the plastic figurines intrigued him.
     "I just liked them and I thought, 'Hey, no one's using these to do classical theater,' " he says joking. "Something had to be done."
     Weinstein, 27, is in town premiering Tiny Ninja Theater presents "Romeo and Juliet," as a part of Piccolo Fringe at Theatre 99.
     This is the second year Weinstein has played the event. He and his band of plastic ninjas brought the bard's "Macbeth" to life for Lowcountry audiences last year.
     Those who have seen his performances marvel at Weinstein's ability to transform household items, such as white cardboard boxes, a first-aid kit, a cup and a jewelry box into a Shakespearean set. Even more, they seem amazed by Weinstein, who stands behind the set clad in all white, and his ability to suspend the audience's disbelief with just the manipulation of the toys and the power of his voice.
     Weinstein's ability to perform all of the parts of the abridged play ("Macbeth" runs about 35 minutes, "Romeo and Juliet" runs about 45 minutes) comes from his years in the theater.
     Weinstein, a Wisconsin native, attended Brown University, graduating with a philosophy degree. While in school he participated in theater and after graduation moved to New York to work in the field.
     In 1999 he started noticing the tiny 25-cent ninjas in vending machines around the city.
     "It was only a matter of time, really," he says. "I mean, it seems pretty obvious to me: ninjas, Shakespeare."
     Weinstein wrote a proposal for the New York Fringe Festival with only a concept of what he could do combining the ninjas with his love of theater.
     "They accepted it," he says. "Then I was stuck. I had to actually come up with a show."
     Weinstein's production of "Macbeth" was a hit. It even outlived the festival, running an additional four months in New York.
     Since then he has taken his ninjas on the road, performing as far away as Sweden and Germany.
     Watching his performance brings to mind a young boy playing with toys in the back yard. This comparison does not bother Weinstein.
     "There are certainly elements of play in what I do," he says. "But I do it as dramatically and seriously as I can. I think that's the reason for the show's success. People enjoy it on a fun level and they also enjoy the play."
     In August, Weinstein takes "Macbeth" to Scotland for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and after that he wants to open again in New York.
     The Tiny Ninja Theater Company has a website at www.tinyninjatheater.com, which contains an in-depth description of Weinstein's shows as well as a game and Tiny Ninja store. The game, The Tiny Ninja Production Studio, allows visitors to create their own ninja scenes.
     Tiny Ninja Theater presents "Romeo and Juliet" runs through June 7 at Theatre 99. Show time is daily at noon.