BY DIANE SPRUNG
Post and Courier Reviewer

     They're ba-a-a-ack! "The Tiny Ninja Theatre" is back at Piccolo Fringe at Theatre 99, although this year "Macbeth" is out, but "Romeo and Juliet" is in.
     For the uninitiated, a nano-summary of "Romeo and Juliet:" Boy meets girl; parents hate each other; R. and J. die. With Dov Weinstein's riotous version, all is done with his talented plastic toy figurines in nano-minutes (45 to be exact). Please pay heed to the opening announcement to turn off cell phones, pagers and cameras. "It disturbs the Ninjas."
     If you have never experienced Dov Weinstein's creations, this is your chance. Weinstein narrates the story playing all characters himself. Oops. I mean, the plastic toys play all the characters. The action and recitation is without stop. A daunting task for Weinstein, but handled with style and ease.
     This is a great way to introduce both children and adults to Shakespeare. The story is told with lots of humor, interspersing easily understood Middle English with contemporary speech. Yet it is not complete silliness as the plot is accurate and many of the Bard's more famous quotes are included. For example, "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet," "It is the east and Juliet is the sun," and more.
     Weinstein works with lights, magnets, plain cardboard boxes, and a small table which serves as stage. He dumps the toys onto the table and begins his act. Some of the toys are glued onto a baseball cap which he swings around and leans into the other Ninjas in the cast.
     The work is great fun and a must-see. Only 20 tickets are sold and they do sell out quickly due to the popularity of the piece.
     For some added fun, try the website "www.tinyninjatheater.com/fun" and become a playwright in your own right.
     The play will be repeated at noon today through June 7.