When a construction worker unexpectedly joins a local theater's production of Romeo and Juliet, the drama onstage starts to mirror his own life.
Dan Mueller, a construction worker, is dealing with the disciplinary issues of his teenage daughter Daisy as well as the wrongful death lawsuit he is bringing against Christine Hawthorne, his son Brian's ex-girlfriend who committed suicide. Rita, an actor at a community theater across the street, witnesses him assault a rude driver at work as a result of the stress. He accepts her invitation to read for Lord Capulet in their next Romeo and Juliet production.
He starts asking Daisy, a former actor who has lost interest in theater, for advice, but things get heated when his wife Sharon, a teacher and theater director at the neighborhood school, tries to create a garden in their yard over the location of Brian's suicide, and he lashes out at Daisy for crossing it. He goes back to the theater and sees Rita, who is playing Juliet, hit Romeo, who is playing Romeo, after he says she is too old for the role. He informs the cast about Brian's passing after seeing Romeo and Juliet's suicide performed, and Rita is seen hugging him outside the theater by Daisy and Sharon.
Dan lies to his family about his whereabouts and is placed on mandatory leave at work, despite dedicating more time to the production and being cast as Romeo. Daisy learns the truth after following him to the theater, where she immediately becomes friendly with the actors. Dan is forced to confess after Sharon accuses him of infidelity when they get home after learning from his coworker that he is on leave. The cast decides to make the play a one-night event, with Daisy playing Mercutio, after Sharon, moved by his talent, lets them perform in the school gym.
Dan finds it difficult to portray Romeo's suicide as the performance draws near, but Daisy encourages him to consider Brian's emotions. In his testimony during the Hawthornes' deposition, Dan discloses that Brian and Christine made a joint suicide attempt the night of Daisy's final play due to her family's relocation and his inability to accompany her. When Dan acknowledges that he is to blame rather than Christine, he drops the lawsuit, leaving Sharon incensed that he squandered their money and kept her and Daisy from grieving appropriately.
Dan and Rita bring Sharon to tears with the show is conclusion, and as Romeo passes away, Dan spots Brian in the background offstage. After the show, the Muellers hug, go to the cast party, and head back home.
