& Juliet

In this uproarious new musical, & Juliet transforms one of the most iconic love stories, Romeo and Juliet, with a fresh twist. What if Juliet didn't kill herself? The book "& Juliet" by David West Read ("Schitt's Creek") provides a captivating narrative in which Anne, the wife of William Shakespeare, boldly suggests that he consider rewriting Romeo and Juliet. Known as The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, shortened to Romeo and Juliet, Juliet kills herself with Romeo's dagger, believing he is dead. In a surprising twist, Shakespeare's wife, who tells him that his tragedy stinks, implores him to reimagine the fate of Juliet, urging for a happier conclusion. Instead of the tragic demise, she wants the spirited protagonist to abandon her well-known conclusion and embark on an enchanting adventure where Juliet rediscovers her identity and self-worth. Shakespeare (known as Will in the play) protests, reminding her that he is famously known for his tragedies; however, after Anne challenges if he is a strong enough man to write Juliet as a stronger woman, he begrudgingly agrees to rewrite the play with his wife's help. The revised plot starts with Juliet discovering that Romeo had other lovers. Heartbroken yet resilient, she decides to embark on a new adventure to Paris with her nurse, Angélique (Kathryn Allison), her BFF May (Nick Drake), and another pal, April – who is Anne; to avoid her parent's decision to send her to a nunnery. With the quill in her hand, Anne feels empowered to write a new beginning for Juliet, where she seeks a second chance at life and love on her own terms.

While in Paris, Juliet meets Francois DuBois (Mateus Leite Cardoso), who is forced to find a wife by his authoritarian father, Lance (Paul-Jordan Jansen). They weave in another twisted plot in which Angélique and Lance have a secret love history that his son Francois knows. Lance's wife is dead, and he wants Angélique to marry him, but she refuses to accept his hand in marriage until Juliet is remarried. But when Francois (Frankie) seeks out his own life with the help of Juliet (Confident), he suddenly proposes to her, setting the stage for two people to break free from their overbearing parents. But hold on, Romeo is alive!

I'd like to know if the writers of & Juliet considered the implications of this. If Romeo is indeed alive, then Juliet, who is still bound by the vows they exchanged, remains married to him. Since no divorce is written or mentioned, Will simply introduces more conflict into the revised play by bringing Romeo back from the dead. He notes that Romeo (Michael Canu) wasn't poisoned during a miraculous resurrection and has returned for his wife in the song "It's My Life." He forgives her for not killing herself and adventuring on her discovery of life and wants her to honor her marriage vows. Still, Juliet tells Romeo she's now engaged to Francois and a melody-appropriate song by Kelly Clarkson ("Since U Been Gone"). 

Romeo who? This rockstar jukebox musical rewrite gives females of all ages a voice, declaring, "I'm here, so hear my roar!" With pop chart anthems, this dynamic retelling blends exhilarating music and compelling performances, emphasizing the strength and individuality of female characters as they navigate love, ambition, and the complexities of their world. & Juliet is a smash hit! The production masterfully integrates iconic songs that enhance the emotional depth of each scene, beginning with the Will and Anne battles for creative writing liberties, singing The Backstreet Boys' classic, "I Want It That Way." Another pivotal moment is when Juliet is unexpectedly proposed to by Francois DuBois, perfectly timed with the playful song, "Oops!... I Did It Again." A powerful climax finale featuring Katy Perry's empowering anthem "Roar" and Can't Stop the Feeling by Justin Timberlake, leaving the audience energized and inspired. This enthralling narrative weaves together themes of self-worth and freedom, inviting women and encouraging little girls to embrace a transformative journey of self-discovery and unlock their true potential. With vivid characters and poignant moments, it reveals the profound beauty of recognizing one's inner strength and embracing one's authentic self. The Broadway League, the casting touring company, has done an exceptional job with the casting. Rachel Simone Webb, (the niece of one of my high school baseball friends, Kenneth Jarrell), is phenomenal as Juliet. Her fantastic voice, captivating presence, and extraordinary talent left the audience in awe. The same can be said about other notable performances from Nick Drake, Kathryn Allison, Teal Wicks, Corey Mach, Mateus Leite Cardoso, and Michael Canu. The chemistry between Wicks and Mach ideally provides a playful glimpse into what could have happened had Shakespere's wife rewrote one of his plays. Allison and Wicks' singing was outstanding. However, one of the most touching songs came from Nick Drake, singing, I'm Not A Girl, Not Yet A Woman.

Rewriting a play from one of the greatest English playwrights and poets comes with perilous risk; however, Read's teenybopper play does a fine job of slicing from Shakespeare's tragedy, making & Juliet an entertaining and witty alternative. With music by Max Martin and friends, the musical showcases a collection of beloved songs by various iconic artists featuring pop sensations such as Britney Spears, Katy Perry, and the Backstreet Boys, who all captivated audiences with their harmonies and nostalgic hits. Additionally, the production features dynamic songs from stars like Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato, and Ke$ha. Together, these artist's songs, featuring songs like "Since U Been Gone," "Larger Than Life," "…Baby One More Time," "I Want It That Way," "It's Gonna Be Me," "Roar," "It's My Life," "That's The Way It Is," with 29 songs in the musical, created an engaging musical experience filled with memorable tunes. The action unfolds in Shakespeare's tragedy from the 1500s. However, Anne's revised production futuristically has 20th-century songs, dancing, and clothes, borrowing a few corsets and doublets. Using projections enhances the stage's scenic magic with immaculate costume design.

& Juliet is definitely a jukebox musical at heart. The feminist plot playfully takes jabs at Shakespeare's tragedies, sacrilegiously suggesting that all of Shakespeare's plays be rewritten. Still, its high-energy performance, filled with wit, phenomenal songs, singing, acting, and dancing, makes it a must-see play. Although it includes a few inappropriate gestures and language, & Juliet is a fantastic production for families. The little girl sitting in front of me was utterly engrossed in the play; she absorbed every moment unfolding on stage, envisioning that she might be a star one day!

So does Juliet remarry, or does she reunite with Romeo? Get your tickets to find out.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Cadillac Palace

& Juliet

Book by David West Read

Music and Lyrics by Max Martin and Friends

Choreographer Jennifer Weber

Director LukebSheppard

Now - December 15, 2024

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