In "Romeo and Juliet," Mercutio becomes the tipping point that turns this tale of two star-crossed lovers from a romantic comedy to a tragedy. Episode 11 delves into what kind of friend Mercutio is to Romeo, various approaches to his famed Queen Mab speech, imaginings of Mercutio’s own romantic history, and why Mercutio — after speaking in only four scenes — remains one of the most memorable and beloved parts of this iconic play. Guests on this episode are André Martin, who played Mercutio with the Independent Shakespeare Company in Los Angeles in 2014; Brian Grey, who plays the role in Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s current production; and Martine Kei Green-Rogers, assistant professor in the Theater Arts department at State University of New York at New Paltz and President-Elect of Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas.