SOUTHAMPTON, NY — Living on the East End, there’s an embarrassment of artistic riches, with actors, vocalists and writers bringing the best of their work to a place where nature’s canvas inspires creative magic.

But sometimes, even in the Hamptons, there’s a performance so extraordinary and just, well, brilliant that it leaves audiences breathless.

Such was the case this weekend when the Bay Street Theater and Guild Hall, in association with Jamie Cesa & Bel Chiasso Entertainment, presented “The Romeo and Juliet Project” featuring the music of Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo.

With a book by Bradley Bredeweg and directed by Scott Schwartz, artistic director of the Bay Street Theater, the show is sublime in its seamless ability to weave together the 40 years of lyrics and music Benatar and Giraldo have created with the timeless tale of a Shakespearean classic.

“This is the very first public presentation of this work,” Schwartz told the crowd who gathered at Mashashimuet Park for the free “Under the Stars” event in Sag Harbor Friday night, adding how overjoyed he was to present the show and thanking the many supporters who came together to make vision a reality.

With Alex Nee as Romeo, Ashely Argota as Juliet and a powerhouse cast that conveyed the story of the ill-fated lovers with a modern twist and language, the story transcended time and place and centered on emotion and the timeless conflicts that have long ripped society asunder.

Click Here: Atlanta United FC Jersey

(Lisa Finn)

“There’s so much hate out there,” the Friar, played by Howard McGillin, said, echoing words that resonate.

“Sometimes it feels as though all hope is lost,” said Nee’s Romeo. Indeed, the vision of this relevant piece centers on reminding audiences of happens when the impact of love, equality, and acceptance is forgotten, a release for the show said.

“The show brings us into the modern, war-torn metropolis of Verona as the newly-minted Chancellor Paris takes control and promises to return the city to its traditional roots and destroy the progressive resistance. This new musical is an intricate weaving of Benatar and Giraldo’s deeply emotional rock anthems exploring the question — what does it take to regain a world where peace is possible?”

Beyond even the acting chops of the stellar cast, the star of the show, the front and center force that sends this production into the stars with the power of the most fierce strat, is the music. That heart-searing music that defined a generation and is now, in this production, newly re-imagined with new, soulful riffs and ballads so pure they shatter the night.

For a first-time audience member, the show stands on its own merits, at times joyful, funny, agonizingly painful and, in the end, a testament to the enduring power of love.

But for ardent supporters of Benatar’s and Giraldo’s work, listening to iconic classics such as “All Fired Up,” “Promises in the Dark,” “Invincible,” “Treat Me Right,” “Heartbreaker,” “Hell is for Children,” “Shadows of the Night,” and “We Belong,” and then, hearing glimpses of cuts rarely played today at the couple’s concert appearances — a stirring rendition of “Brave,” from the 2003 album “Go”, for example, was a rare treat, as was “Kingdom Key,” from 1993’s “Gravity’s Rainbow” — made the night one that longtime fans will cherish.

The show showcases masterful editing of timeless lyrics, as the cast segues from “Treat Me Right” into “I Won’t”, and with teases of other favorites including “In the Heat of the Night” during the scene at The Ball.

A spirited new rendition of “Lookin’ for a Stranger” brought down the proverbial house.

(Lisa Finn)

Long Island-born Pat and her husband, whom she affectionately calls Spyder, have been married since 1982, and their shows — the couple, who performed last week at the Bay Street Theater, is on tour celebrating 40 years of music — are an homage to their love story, featuring timeless classics paired with personal stories from their lives and shared with devoted audiences.

(Lisa Finn)

Speaking with Patch before the show — he smiled graciously for fans who asked for photos — Giraldo said he enjoys performing outside, soaking in the air and the natural elements.

Speaking about the astounding symmetry of the music with “Romeo and Juliet,” Giraldo said: “I don’t know why it’s so well-suited but it really is remarkable to me. I’m really humbled to have music in a Shakespeare play,” he said.

Sag Harbor, Giraldo added, was the perfect place to debut a piece that carries such deep meaning. “I lived in Hawaii for awhile and when I woke up here and the morning, I looked at the harbor and saw the sunrise. It felt like when I was in Hawaii. And when I was in Sicily, I went to a place called Isola Bella, that place reminded me of Hawaii, too, and this does, as well. It’s the air; the light is spectacular. I love it here — and the people are so friendly. It’s great.”

Of seeing her lifetime of work performed and sung so passionately by the cast, and seeing a dream for a musical take shape, Benatar smiled. “It’s a joy,” she said.

(Lisa Finn)

In an interview with Patch, Schwartz said the “Under the Stars” program, presenting free concert readings in the park, was created by Bay Street to serve the community. “The Romeo and Juliet Project,” he said, represents the fourth time the “Under the Stars” program has been offered.

“This musical seemed uniquely appropriate for this program because it has great popular appeal and is a work in progress that will benefit from having an audience to experience it,” he said.

Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo’s music was the perfect fit for the classic tale, he said.

“It is amazing how will suited Pat and Neil’s body of work is to this timeless story. Their songs are filled with passion, energy, love and righteous anger. It almost feels as if they were written for this play,” he said.

The show, Schwartz added, is deeply personal, especially based on the current climate. “The music and story combine to tell a timeless but also timely story of love in the face of war. In our world today, to see young people struggle to find love and triumph with it feels so relevant,” he said.

Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo’s music has long addressed social issues, including child abuse in “Hell is for Children.” And their work is well-suited for a show dealing with human themes and struggles relevant throughout history, Schwartz said.

“I have tried to work with our writers to intertwine the music seamlessly with the story. And to bring the strong social consciousness of many of the songs into the world in the context,” Schwarz said. “I hope the audience will think about the divisions in our country and our world, the hate that seems to be on the rise everywhere and consider again if there is another more hopeful and loving way we can approach each other.”

When asked about the enduring power of love, Schwartz said: “I’m not sure love can conquer all, but I do think it has a power unparalleled in our lives. It is transformative and healing, and I hope this musical will be that for our audience at the show and beyond.”